- Gas stations
- Homes with heating oil
- Industrial and agricultural chemical suppliers
- Farms and ranches
- School bus yards
- Fleet maintenance operations
- Other businesses
In the late 1990s, standards for underground storage tanks improved greatly. Prior to that time, it was estimated that about one-quarter of all underground tanks were leaking and had the potential to contaminate groundwater.
Although it is much easier to detect leaks from aboveground tanks, they also can be a risk to groundwater.
Causes of groundwater contamination
- Corroded tanks
- Poor installation or maintenance
- No testing of tanks for leaks
- Old tanks deteriorating
- No backup containment for leaks
What can you do?
Individual action
- Remove or decommission old tanks.
- Monitor tanks for leaks.
- Properly install and maintain tanks.
- Replace underground tanks with aboveground storage.
- Install leak-containment structures.
Community action
- Promote permit compliance.
- Provide information to owners when tanks are filled.
- Encourage tank inspection at the time of property transfer.
- Provide incentives or recognition for voluntary action.
To learn more
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program
811 SW 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 1-800-742-7878 (toll free in Oregon; call and leave a
message)
Waste Prevention and Management Division
Phone: 503-229-5913
Information on underground tank regulations, home heating oil tanks, locations of leaking underground storage tanks, clean-up.
EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks
U.S. EPA/OSWER/OUST
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mailcode: 5401G
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: 703-603-9900
Good source of technical information, lots of illustrations.
Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
Community Right
to Know (CR2K) Hazardous Substance Information Program
4760 Portland Road NE
Salem, Oregon 97305-1760
Phone: 503-378-3473 or 503-378-6835 (hotline)
Fax: 503-373-1825
E-mail:
SFM.CR2K@state.or.us
Information on hazardous chemicals stored throughout the state. Searchable database is very easy to use and provides great insight about what risks might exist in your community.