What Owners Need To Know About Compliance Inspections:
- Each facility must be inspected every three years.
- Inspections must be conducted by a Licensed Inspector.
- Compliance inspections MUST BE conducted at least 90 days before the current Operating Permit expires.
- This allows the time to correct any violations discovered during the inspection.
- A new Operating Permit is issued for a UST system each inspection cycle.
- UST owners must schedule and pay for the compliance inspection.
- Please note that the cost of UST inspections is not set forth in law or rule; your cost to obtain an inspection may vary due to location, inspector, time of year, or other factors.
- The owner and inspector must sign or initial all pages of the inspection report.
- Compliance inspections must be received by DEQ within 15 days of the inspection.
- DEQ reviews each compliance inspection and will determine compliance. If your facility is not in compliance, you and your inspector will receive a Corrective Action Plan from the department which will outline the violations and corrective action timeframes established for your facility.
Make your Compliance Inspection easier by:
- Keeping all paperwork, files and records relating to your UST system accessible.
- Having a staff person who has knowledge of your UST systems on site during the inspection.
- Making sure all manways, sumps, boxes and equipment are easily accessible.
- Asking questions, taking notes and contacting DEQ for help.
Compliance Inspection Components:
Records review- Have the following documentation available for the inspector;
- Tank and leak detection records:
- Monthly records (12 months)
- Precision tank or line tightness testing (if applicable)
- Annual line leak detector functionality test
- Cathodic Protection test results:
- 3-year structure to soil potential tests
- Rectifier inspection records (every 60 days) for impressed current systems
- Valid Operating Permit posted and visible
- Evidence of Class A and Class B Operator
Equipment Check- the following items will be examined by the inspector:
- Leak Detectors for tanks and piping
- Spill and overfill devices
- All manways, sumps, boxes and dispensers
- Valid Operating Tag on each fill pipe
- Evidence of non-notified or abandoned tanks
Communicate with your Compliance Inspector:
- Review what was found.
- Discuss whether each UST system is in compliance, and if not, what can be done to bring them into compliance.
- Ask questions if you do not understand the compliance process.
Common Reasons For Failed Compliance Inspections:
- Monthly leak detection test not conducted or not conducted properly.
- Leak detection or other test records not readily available.
- Automatic Tank Gauge not programmed properly.
- Corrosion protection tests not conducted or show weak readings.
- Functionality test of automatic line leak detectors nor conducted.
- Overfill devices missing or not functioning.