Underground Storage Tanks (UST)

Gas Station Pump

Starting January 1, 2013 all CUPA regulated businesses are required by law (Assembly Bill 2286) to submit business information electronically through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). Many of the Unified Program forms are no longer available on our website and instead must be completed online in CERS. This includes information related to Underground Storage Tanks (UST), hazardous waste tank closures, and Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) documentation. For more information on creating a CERS account and submitting your UST documents electronically please visit our CERS Information Page

The Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) regulates the construction, operation, repair and removal of
underground storage tank (UST) systems. A permit to operate a UST system in San Diego County is required by the San Diego County Code of Regulatory Ordinances Title 6, Division 8, Chapter 10. State regulations mandate additional testing and more frequent inspections at UST facilities; thus requiring close coordination between inspectors, contractors and the regulated community. 

 About the UST Group and UST Program

The goal of the UST Program is to protect public health, the environment and groundwater. To accomplish this goal, HMD ensures that businesses and facilities with ongoing UST operations are properly permitted and meet the monitoring requirements applicable to their type of equipment. This is accomplished by:

  • Conducting annual inspections of all fuel facilities in San Diego County as required by State law. 
  • Review and approve all electronic submissions regarding UST installations, repairs, upgrades and removals through CERS. 
  • Conduct installation, repair, and upgrade inspections within San Diego County. 

HMD is the lead program for permitting installations of new UST systems, UST repairs, and UST/piping removals.  Additionally, HMD is the lead enforcement agency for violations of underground storage tank laws and regulations: Chapter 6.7 of Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code and Title 23 of Division 3 of the California Code of Regulations.

The HMD-UST Program and the Site Assessment and Mitigation (SAM) Program within the Land Water Quality Division oversee UST system removal activities. The primary function of the SAM program in UST system removal activities is to provide regulatory oversight for the site assessment and mitigation of properties where unauthorized releases from UST systems have occurred.

Recent updates within the HMD tank program include:

 UST Program Contacts
To notify the Hazardous Materials Division at least 48 hours prior to monitoring certifications, SB989 testing, ELD, etc. email the UST program at: USTNotifications.LUEG@sdcounty.ca.gov

 

 Useful Links & Information Bulletins

For general questions regarding the management of USTs, please contact the Hazardous Materials Duty Specialist at (858) 505-6880. The Duty Specialist is available M-F, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For specific questions about your permitted facility, please contact your Area Inspector. The Hazardous Materials Duty Specialist may direct you to the Inspector for the area where your business is located.