§8.6 - Releases and Spills

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§8.6 RELEASES AND SPILLS

Contamination from a UST system typically results from two sources: (1) leaking tanks, damaged from corrosion or structural failure; and (2) spilling, associated with filling the tank. The UST program provides steps for the owner or operator to follow in the event of a suspected or confirmed release. If there is a suspected leak, such as one detected through release detection methods or unreconciled inventory, the owner or operator must investigate to determine the source. With a confirmed or visible leak, the owner or operator must address the source and clean up the contamination. WAC 173-360-375.

(1) Suspected and confirmed releases

Actions required following a suspected or confirmed release are discussed below.

(a) Report suspected release

If there is a suspected or confirmed release, the owner or operator must report the suspected release to DOE and then immediately report any confirmed leaks. Generally, the following must be reported to the department within 24 hours after a confirmation: (1) a regulated substance leak and any indication of a release; (2) the discovery of regulated substances in the surrounding area, such as sewer lines, basements, or groundwater; (3) conditions that may indicate a release or could lead to a release, such as water in the tank, product loss, or erratic product dispensing equipment; or (4) monitoring results that confirm an actual leak. WAC 173-360-360.

(b) Investigate the release

The owner or operator must investigate and confirm whether a suspected release has occurred. This process must occur within seven days after...