04-08-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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h'.- Iv c-I 'v<Rv ■.,.v - iv- / -■ K •: r.\ >i«r I COMMON QUESTIONS QI Are tenk inetallcre certified by the MPCA? As Not «t this Hine. The MPCA expects to begin a certifleaHon program for tank installers in late 1969. After rules for the ccnificaifon program arc adopted, only certified installers %rill be able to install, repair or pennanendy remove a tank from service in Minnesou QS Will the MPCA inspect tank removals and issue a "dean bill of health^ to the site? A S Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a "clean bill of health" for most storage tank sites. Sometimes MFCA stiff will be able to arrange to obsem* a tank removal, but tank owners and operators themselves should always emmlnc removed tanks and sunounding aoila for signa of leaks or overfills— ftdaral law requires owners and operators of most underground tanks to take samples around the tank araaa 10 chock for leaks whan tanks are removed. It is alwayo a g^ kita to arrange for an independent obaerver (lire marshal, building inspector, oonsulunt, etc) 10 observe and lake notes at a tank removal. An obaerver will not alwaye be able to spot subtle signs of leakage, but a trained obeeiver can verify the cleanup actlona that were taken. If any signa of leakage are found, the tank owner or operator must notify the MFCA. And remember if you ate planning to dose or remove a lank, you must notify the MPCA 30 days In advanet In orctarlo meet federal lequiremcnts. the MPCA is not properly notified of a unk leak, reimbursement from the Petrofund may be reduced, and if the dcanup plan is not approved by the MPCA. no reimbursement from the Petrofund is possible. Ql Where can It. >posc of soil contaminated by petroleum products? A • Although most pvtroleum-contaminatcd soil does not qualify as a hazardous waste, disposal of petroleum-contaminated soil in landfills, soil stockpiles or uncontrolled fill is not an occeptable disposal method. Currently, the most common treatment options arc: land spreading or land treatment — this option requires prior approval from both the MPCA and local officials, and incorporation into asphalt, or "burning" soil in an asphalt hot>mix plant. This also requires MPCA sf^roval. The MPCA continues to study these and other options, and can help tank otvncrs and operators choose a safe treatment method for their soil wastes. Q r Can 1 leave an unused underground tank in the ground? QS Docs 1 "tank test" prove that 1 don't have a pipWtni? A! MFCA staff btfiava that a unk test performed by a qualified OMnpeiqf can often detect a leak. However, tvm If a lank "pastes" the teet, tanks or lines may have leaked, may be leaklnf slowly, or the test method mey havt been flawed. Iht MPCA staff typicslly wW be cenvinoad of nonlaakagt only by soil boring results and a lest of ground waiar around the unks. Q* WIfyfhouldl notify the MPCA before doing a deenup? As Failure to report a leak or a spill of a substance under your control is a violation of the law. Further,if As For many years, the National and Minnesota Uniform Fire Codes have required proper handling of unusedtanks. These requirements are new part of the new foderel underground ttnk regulations. If an underground tank has been out of service for 90 da)rs, it must be properly safoguarded or removed in a manner approved by the local Are chief or euie fire marshal. Safiguarding includes having the fill line, gauge opening and pump connection secured against tampering. Atank which has been out of use for one year, and which hasn't been upgraded to meet new fodenl standards, most genarally be removed from the ground and the hole pro^^y filled. In certain dicuinstanoes (such as tanks under roads), it maybe abandoned in place and Safeguarded according to instructions from the local fire chief or state fire marshal. LuLa.