Owners and operators of
regulated underground
storage tanks (USTs) on tribal
lands must comply with the
federal UST regulation.
This compliance assistance
brochure highlights
tips to help you manage your
underground storage tanks.
Note: This document is a
resource to promote
compliance and does not
replace the federal UST
regulation.
This brochure is one in a
series of EPA compliance
assistance brochures
designed to help owners and
operators in Indian country
comply with the federal UST
regulation.
Other brochures focus on
implementation, compatibility,
spill buckets, overfill
protection, recordkeeping and
notification, financial
responsibility, insurance, and
piping release detection.
https://www.epa.gov/ust/best-manaaement-
practices-usts-indian-countrv
msmmmm
RELEASE DETE
m,
K
Inventory Control or
Manual Tank Gauging.
T ank T ightness T est
1 Vapor
Monitoring
-Well /
— Inventory Probe for
Automatic Tank Gauging
Secondary \
Containment \
with Interstitial
Groundwater
Monitoring
Well
Water T able
inspect
oEPA
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
www.epa.gov/ust
May 2017
EPA-510-F-17-002
Compliance Assistance In
Indian Country

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RELEASE DETECTION
Underground storage tank (UST) release detection
is an electronic or manual method or combination of
methods designed to help you quickly detect
releases from your tank.
What type of storage tank release
detection must you use?
You must conduct one of the following:
If you use vapor
monitoring or
groundwater
monitoring, you
must keep
records of a site
assessment,
showing that the
monitoring
system Is set up
properly.
w automatic tank gauging
continuous in-tank leak
detection
w statistical inventory
reconciliation (SIR)
* interstitial monitoring
& groundwater monitoring
vapor monitoring
manual tank gauging
(for tanks 2,000 gallons or less)
tank tightness test and inventory control (can
only be used for 10 years after tank installation)
or another method approved by the
implementing agency
For USTs installed or replaced after April 11, 2016,
you must use secondary containment with interstitial
monitoring.
What should you do to ensure your
release detection method is working
properly? If you use:
Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG)
w Check your printout and make sure:
*	the ATG probe is working
*	there is enough down time between fuel
delivery and testing
*	the product level is appropriate for testing
START LEAK TEST
FEB 7, 2011 12:30 AM
TEST LENGTH 2 HOURS
T 1:UNLEAD
VOLUME
ULLAGE
90^ ULLAGE*
TC VOLUME «
HEIGHT
WATER
TEMP
601 GALS
2407 GALS
2106 GALS
613 GALS
16.25 INCHES
0.00 INCHES
20.9 DEG F
LOW LEVEL TEST ERROKl
Immediately respond to and
investigate any audible
alarms or flashing lights.
Make sure alarms function
properly. Releases may go
undetected if you ignore or
disable the alarms.
ATG in alarm status
Interstitial monitoring
* Inspect your system
*	Look for liquid at the lowest point of the
UST containment and record the results
*	If the sensor alarms, contact your service
provider to find the source of the alarm
and replace malfunctioning electronic
sensors
Vapor or groundwater monitoring
^ Check your well and well cover
*	Make sure it is installed so that leaks can
not enter into the monitoring well
*	Make sure the well caps are secure
*	Make sure the well caps are not damaged
Monitoring well placed in the flow of
surface run-off
Monitoring well with missing cover
and filled with debris
Inventory control
Use the right equipment:
*	Make sure the gauge stick is not
warped: its ends are not worn,
broken, or shortened; and markings
are clearly legible
*	Record readings daily and
reconciled them monthly
Use water finding paste to check for
water on the tank bottom and record
the reading.
Gauge stick
with a broken
Checking for
water on bottom of
tank with paste.
Invalid test due to low
product level
Statistical Inventory Reconciliation
(SIR)
^ Collect the right information
*	Record the data according to your
vendor's instruction
*	Have a trained professional analyze your
data
How do you avoid common UST
release detection problems?
ATG
Perform a monthly leak test
m Make sure ATG is properly functioning and
programmed
^ Respond to ATG alarms
** Make sure probes are functioning and
connected
^ Install printer paper
¦*" Have enough product in tank for tests
*** Allow enough time for tests
Interstitial Monitoring
^ Make sure sensor is present,
properly installed, and
functioning
SIR
Interstitial monitoring
w Investigate inconclusive results
*** Obtain timely vendor reports
Inventory Control
<5r Gauge the tank daily, check for
water monthly, and record all deliveries
¦*" Reconcile data at the end of each month
*** Conduct an annual tightness test
Tightness Testing
^ Have enough product in the tank to perform
the leak test
Recordkeeping
w Maintain printed copies of electronic monthly
leak detection records
*** Maintain written logs of manual monthly
interstitial monitoring checks
w Keep inventory records
Keep records of the 30 day visual equipment
inspection, and annual walkthrough
inspections
w Keep records of annual release detection
equipment tests
For more information on UST release detection, see EPA's
Release Detection Methods For Underground Storage Tanks
And Piping: Straight Talk On Tanks: or order free copies by
calling (800) 490-9198.

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