How do I find an underground storage tank?
Here are 5 easy ways of identifying UST’s in your yard!
- Check For Pipes In Your Basement.
- Check For Pipes In Your Yard.
- Look For Coffee Cans.
- Ground Penetrating Radars.
- Check For Depressions In Your Yard.
How many underground storage tanks are there?
544,000 underground storage tanks
Approximately 544,000 underground storage tanks (USTs) nationwide store petroleum or hazardous substances. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans.
What is the main problem with underground storage tanks?
Underground storage tanks hold toxic material, such as gasoline and waste oil, which contain dangerous substances that can cause cancer and harm developing children. Chemicals in USTs can quickly move through soil and pollute groundwater. There is no safe level of exposure to many of these toxic substances.
How long do underground storage tanks last?
The typical warrantied lifespan of a UST is 30 years, but insuring tanks that are approaching 25 years old has become more challenging.
What is an AST tank?
Overview of Aboveground Storage Tanks (ASTs) Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST) are large containers usually made of metal and resting on top of the ground, designed to temporarily hold a number of different liquid or gas substances. These substances can range from water to crude oil to various chemical products.
What is UST in real estate?
You are buying a property that has an underground storage tank (UST). EPA regulations only become more strict and mandated cleanup obligations can easily cost more than a property is worth. USTs are often essential to the business or facility, so we cannot always suggest simply removing the tank or tanks.
Are underground storage tanks hazardous?
The greatest potential hazard from a leaking UST is that the petroleum or other hazardous substance can seep into the soil and contaminate groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans.