Preventative Maintenance Procedures
UST cleanup costs depend on several factors, including the extent of the contamination and the cleanup standards set by the state. According to the US EPA UST Section, the average cleanup costs are:
- Average Site Cleanup - $130,000
- Small Cleanup - $10,000
- Leaks Impacting Groundwater - $100,000 to over $1 Million
As of March 31, 2019, the number of confirmed releases from UST systems was at 545,876. That’s a lot of cleanup costs. Fortunately, owners and operators aren’t powerless in stopping a release, spill, or overfill from occurring. It is easier and far more cost-effective to implement and uphold a preventive maintenance process to protect your site and your bottom line. We’ve put together a short list of easy to implement practices that will have the most impact:
- Monitor all fuel deliveries from start to finish.
- Know how to properly respond to alarms.
- Periodically review emergency response procedures with employees.
- Check spill basins and sumps for liquid and debris. Remove immediately.
- Perform routine walkthroughs, including a visual check of dispensing components. Make sure hoses, nozzles, and filters are operating effectively.
- Maintain appropriate leak detection and corrosion protection records, as required.