Field Guide to Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
(Updated September 2011)
"An underground storage tank system is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. [Federal U.S. underground storage tank] regulations apply to only underground tanks and piping storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances." (Basic Information About the Underground Storage Tank Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Nov. 17, 2009).
Why are underground storage tanks regulated by the U.S. government? As with any liquid-containing vessel, USTs have the ability to degrade and wear over time, in turn causing leaks. These leaks can pose substantial public health and safety risks, ranging from contaminating the groundwater that many Americans rely on for drinking water, to potential fire or explosion risk, (Overview of the Federal UST Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 2, 2010). (K. Stockert, Information and Web Content Specialist)
- There are approximately 607,000 active USTs in the United States
- Since 1984, more than 1.7 million USTs have been closed
- Approximately 40 states have UST cleanup funds that pay for most UST cleanups
- It is estimated that less than 10,000 tanks hold hazardous substances covered by the UST regulations
(Source: UST Program Facts, (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 2010 and Overview of the Federal UST Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Apr. 2, 2010).
The Basics of Underground Storage Tanks
Sources of Groundwater Contamination, (The Groundwater Foundation).
A Basic Checklist for USTs, (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, July 21, 2009).
12 Questions Buyers Should Ask the Home Inspector, (REALTOR® Magazine).
Benzene can make you very sick, know the risks and reduce the odds, (Realty Times, May 12, 2005).
Determining market perceptions on contamination of residential property buyers, (The Journal of Real Estate Research, Apr./June 2005). Q
Insuring your underground storage tanks, (Realty Times, Nov. 24, 2004).
Re-lining underground fuel tanks to protect drinking water, (Realty Times, June 10, 2004).
Soil testing a common step in early stages of a project, (Triangle Business Journal, Apr. 28, 2003).
Upkeep for USTs, (National Petroleum News, May 2002). Q
Information for REALTORS® 
Identifying Clients' Environmental Loss Exposures, (American Agent & Broker, Feb. 2006). Q
A Meta-Analysis of the Effect of Environmental Contamination and Positive Amenities on Residential Real Estate Values, (The Journal of Real Estate Research, Jan.-Mar. 2006). Q
Surveys, market interviews, and environmental stigma, (The Appraisal Journal, Fall 2004). Q
Effect of previous environmental contamination on industrial real estate prices, (The Appraisal Journal, Apr. 2001). Q
Insurance & Liability Issues
List of Known Insurance Providers for Underground Storage Tanks, (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, June 2009).
Florida Regulation Presses Underground Storage Tank Issue: Insurance in Jeopardy, (National Underwriter, P & C, May 18, 2009). Q
EPA Awards $197 Million to Clean Up Underground Storage Tank Leaks, (EHS Today, Apr. 17, 2009). Q
Home is Where the Risk Is, (Rough Notes, Dec. 2007). Q
Research Finds Homeowners Plagued by Thousands of Leaking Underground Storage Tanks, (RISMedia, Apr. 26, 2007).
Underground storage tank liability, (Rough Notes, Aug. 2004). Q
Government & Non-Profit Organizations
State Government Resources
Many U.S. states have environmental departments or commissions. These departments can be a great source of information on state specific compliance and disclosure requirements. For example, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality published a booklet -- Real Estate Professionals and Underground Storage Tanks -- in May 2002. The Maryland Department of the Environment also published a document -- There's An Underground Storage Tank on the Property -- on Jan. 27, 2010. To identify a state-run department in your state, check out the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's State Environmental Agencies web page.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Underground Storage Tanks
Phone: 703-603-9900
Email OUST
1220 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Mail Code 5401P
Washington, DC 20460
Environmental Council of the States (a non-profit association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders)
Phone: 202.624.3666
Email Environmental Council of the States
444 North Capital Street NW, Ste. 445
Washington, DC 20001
The Groundwater Foundation (a non-profit, non-government affiliated organization)
Phone: 800.858.4844
Email Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE 68542-2558
Research on Your Own
To search for the most recent articles on homeowners insurance, login to NAR's ProQuest account and enter subject terms such as:
- Environmental impact and storage tanks
- Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(environmental impact) AND SU(storage tanks)
- Insurance coverage and storage tanks
- Enter into ProQuest text box as SU(insurance coverage) AND SU(storage tanks)
Information Savvy!
Many websites, such as Wikipedia, can be great resources to quickly get oriented on a subject before conducting more in depth research. However, anyone in the world can create and maintain a website or write a seemingly legitimate article and may, intentionally or unintentionally, publish false or "misinformation." When reviewing information on the Internet, you should always consider the ABC's:
- Accuracy. Is the information accurate? Can you confirm the same information using other resources published by a different author or organization?
- Author. Who composed the information? Can you easily identify the author and contact the author or website publisher?
- Bias. What bias might the author or author organization have?
- Credibility. What is the author’s or author organization’s credentials for publishing the information? What expertise, experience, or education does the author have in this area that makes him or her qualified to write on the subject matter?
- Currency. When was the web page last updated? Is it possible the information might have changed since this web page was last published?
- Critical eye! Remember to always use your discretion and critical eye to determine whether information you find on the web (or even in books and news sources!) is trustworthy. Putting websites to the ABC test will get you started in developing a strong critical eye.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Complete Book of Insurance (Kindle, Adobe eReader)
How to Insure Your Home (Adobe eReader)
Land Use Law for Sustainable Development (Adobe eReader)
Pollution & Property (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Powerlines, docks, underground storage tanks... ignore at your own risk, (Florida REALTOR®, Apr. 2003, p. 26-31).
Fixtures - oil storage tanks are personal property of tenant rather than fixtures entitling tenant to relocation payments, (National Property Law Digests, Jan. 2000, p. 7-8).
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Dealing with Stigmatized Properties
Field Guide to Effects of Hazardous Waste on Property Values
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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