The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released its report, Investigation of Corrosion-Influencing Factors in Underground Storage Tanks with Diesel Service.
In order to respond to concerns about reports of severe corrosion in underground storage tanks (USTs) storing diesel fuel and better understand this phenomenon, the EPA worked with industry and scientific experts to develop research. The EPA’s research showed that 83 percent, or 35 of the 42 USTs studied, exhibited moderate or severe corrosion, yet less than 25 percent of owners were aware of the corrosion prior to the internal inspections. This corrosion could affect metal components inside both steel and fiberglass underground tank systems.
Corrosion inside USTs can cause equipment failure by preventing proper operation of release detection and prevention equipment. If left unchecked, corrosion could cause UST system failures and releases, which could lead to groundwater contamination.
Although the EPA cannot project the actual percentage of USTs storing diesel fuel that are affected by corrosion nationwide, the agency thinks it’s important to alert owners of USTs storing diesel about risks from corrosion. The EPA’s notice recommends owners check inside their tank systems and further investigate the condition of their diesel fuel tanks.
State and territorial implementing UST agencies along with the EPA’s UST industry partners are helping by widely distributing to owners the EPA’s notice about corrosion risks in USTs storing diesel fuel. Owners’ awareness and early actions could help protect them from higher repair costs and help protect the environment from contamination due to releases.
The EPA’s next steps include its involvement in industry activities to evaluate the causes and resolve diesel storage tank corrosion issues. The Coordinating Research Council is organizing these activities. The EPA is providing access to data and samples collected during its research to the industry, and the agency is participating in the research design.
Click here for both the EPA report and notice about corrosion risks in USTs storing diesel fuel.