Options & Costs for 1998
If you are an owner or operator of an underground storage tank (LIST),
you may be asking: "What options are available for upgrading, replacing,
or closing my UST to meet the 1998 regulatory requirements?" and
"How much do these options cost?"
To help you answer these questions, the table on the back of this page describes
various options and provides estimated costs for equipment and labor. Costs are based
on a single UST system. These estimates do not include additional costs such as equipment repair or site
cleanup, which may be necessary. We also want you to know that the lowest cost choice may not
necessarily be the best choice. You should discuss the options with contractors to find out which
choice is right for your facility.
EPA's publication, Don't Wait Until 1998, provides information on
cathodic protection, corrosion protection options, and spill and overfill
protection requirements. For a free copy of this booklet and information
on other EPA publications about USTs, call EPA's toll-free
RCRA/Superfund Hotline at 800 424-9346.
The bullets below highlight some information you should know about
protecting metal USTs from corrosion:
State and local
regulations may be more
stringent than the federal
regulations. Check with
your state agency.
Impressed current systems and galvanic anode systems are two ways to protect metal USTs
from corrosion by using cathodic protection. These methods are discussed in Don't Wait Until 1998.
Combining internal lining and cathodic protection (CP) can provide greater protection than
using either alone. Internal lining protects an UST from internal corrosion, but external corrosion can
occur. CP properly applied to the exterior of the UST will protect its exterior from corrosion, but internal
corrosion can occur.
Underground used oil
tanks with capacities
greater than 110 gallons
must be upgraded,
replaced, or closed by
December 1998.
• Internal linings, when used as the sole corrosion protection
upgrade, must undergo periodic inspections. The initial inspection
must occur within 10 years of lining followed by subsequent inspections
at least every 5 years.
• If you add cathodic protection to an UST that was lined earlier,
you will need to periodically inspect the lined tank and operate and
maintain the CP system according to the regulations. However, if you
assess the UST to ensure that it is structurally sound and free of
corrosion holes before adding the CP, you do not have to inspect the
lined tank periodically. ;
• Metal piping must be replaced or upgraded with CP. An impressed
current system is usually designed so that the metal piping is also
protected from corrosion. While it is not practical to add a galvanic anode
system to an existing metal UST, it may be practical to add anodes to
small portions of metal piping such as flexible connectors. You might use
galvanic anodes, for example, if you have a fiberglass tank with steel
piping or metal flex connectors.
• CP systems need to be operated and maintained in accordance
with federal regulations. Regulations require an initial check of the
CP system within 6 months of installation and subsequent checks every
3 years to ensure that the CP system is protecting the UST from
corrosion. In addition, an impressed current system must be checked
every 60 days to ensure that it is operating properly.
• Never turn off your impressed current system. Your USTs are not
protected from corrosion when this system is off.
Here's a tip for saving
money during future
reinspections of a lined
tank: Have a manway
installed in the tank at
the same time it is lined.
The manway will allow
entry into the tank for
future inspections
without repeatedly
excavating the top of
the tank.
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Underground StorageTanks
August 1996
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Options & Costs for 1998
Costs below are shown as:
VL = Less than $200 L = $200-$1,000 M = $1,000-$2,000 H = $2,000 - $5,000 VH = More than $5,000
Please note: Costs are based on a single UST system; costs include only equipment and labor (no continuing maintenance or
repair costs); costs may vary widely nationwide; costs were estimated in August 1996 and may change.
Action
UPGRADE
Corrosion
Protection
Choose 1
-»
Spill
Protection
Overfill
Protection
Option
Cathodic -»
Protection (CP)
-»
Internal Lining -»
->
CP & Lining -»
(simultaneously) •»
-»
Spill bucket
Choose 1 •>
Choice*
Integrity Assessment
(Choose 1)
> Internal inspection
>• Statistical method
> Remote video camera
> Robotic method
Installation:
> Galvanic anodes (piping)
> Impressed current systems
Internal Inspection
Lining Application
Internal Inspection
Lining Application
Installation:
x Galvanic anodes (piping)
>- Impressed current systems
Spill bucket
> Ball float valve
> Automatic shutoff device
> Overfill alarm
Cost
M-H
M-H
L-M
M
VL-M
H
M-H
M-H
M-H
M-H
VL-M
H
VL-L
VL-L
L
M-H
Required Periodic Actions
(cost per action)
None
None
None
None
Operation and maintenance of
corrosion protection
None
Lining inspections
None
None
Operation and maintenance of
corrosion protection
None
None
Cost
L
L-M
L
All sites
Site check for all tanks L-VH None
(assuming no cleanup costs)
CLOSE
REPLACE
AFTER
CLOSING**
Choose 1 -* >" Closure in-place L-VH None •
>• Removal & disposal H-VH •
Single-Walled Tank
Double-Walled Tank
Single-Walled Piping
(per tank)
Double-Walled Piping
(per tank)
> Fiberglass
> Coated & cathodicaily
protected steel
>• Clad tank
>• Fiberglass
>• Coated & cathodicaily
protected steel
> Clad tank
>• Fiberglass
> Coated & cathodicaily
protected steel
>- Fiberglass
>- Coated & cathodicaily
protected steel
H-VH
H-VH
H-VH
VH
VH
VH
L-M
L-M
M-H
M-H
None
Operation and maintenance of
corrosion protection
None
None
None
None
Operation and maintenance of
corrosion protection
None
None
* Not all choices are allowed in all states.
** Spill and overfill protection also required for tanks, as described above.
L
L
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