The purpose of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) inspection program is to ensure that hazardous materials stored in underground tanks are not released into the environment, potentially polluting ground and surface waters..
The Orange County Health Care Agency (OCHCA), Environmental Health Division oversees the UST inspection program in most of the cities of Orange County, with the exception of Anaheim, Fullerton, and Orange. As the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Environmental Health is tasked by the Secretary for Environmental Protection to implement and enforce the underground storage tank codes. To this end, specialists from Environmental Health inspect underground storage tanks, monitoring equipment and compliance documents of UST systems to ensure that these systems are in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations.
This Agency also serves to educate and assist tank owners and operators with regulatory requirements. To contact your inspector directly, please use UST Inspector Phone List- by city. For general questions please call 714-433-6000 and request to speak to the Duty Officer.
UST Plan Check Update
The Environmental Health lobby is currently closed to the public due to health concerns relating to Covid-19. Our office will continue to accept UST Plan Checks. There are currently four ways to submit plans: by appointment, drop-off, email,and mail. A temporary rack has been placed by the entrance of Environmental Health lobby where you may drop off plans for review, and pick up approved plans. Plans will not be processed until the payment has been received (refer to Fees). When submitting a Plan Check, please include a Facility Modification Application (FMA) and four copies of the plans. Electronic Plan Checks and all inquiries should be submitted to USTnotifications@ochca.com.
UST Testing Notification & Test Results:
To notify this Agency of an upcoming Monitoring System Certification, Spill Container Test, Secondary Containment (SB989) Test, or Overfill Prevention Equipment Inspection, please submit your request by email to USTnotifications@ochca.com at least 48 hours prior to the test.
New Underground Storage Tank Forms Required on and After October 1st, 2020:
The secondary containment test procedure that was described in the 2002 document “Standard for Secondary Containment Testing of Underground Storage Tank Systems” and accepted by OCHCA has been rescinded by the CalCUPA Forum. The procedure is no longer valid. In accordance with 23CCR section 2637 testers must follow manufacturer’s guidelines or industry standards, such as the PEI 1200 manual. OCHCA will no longer accept test results that utilize the rescinded procedure for sites that provided notification after 11/3/17. Sites that notified for secondary containment testing prior to 11/3/17 may still submit results with the rescinded procedure.
UST Forms:
Effective January 1, 2017, businesses are required to submit all required UST compliance documents to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS). To access the Business Portal, please visit https://cers.calepa.ca.gov/.
Underground Storage Tank System Testing Intervals
UST System Testing
Required Testing Interval
Every 12 Months
Every 36 Months
After Modifications
If Applicable
Monitor System Certification
X
X
Spill Container
X
X
Overfill
X
X
SB989 Secondary Containment1
X
X
Tank Integrity
X2
Pipeline Integrity
X3
1Not required on VPH systems. 2Only required for single-walled tanks. Interval depends on monitoring plan. 3For single-walled piping or systems not programmed for positive shutdown and fail safe.
A resource for small and medium-sized businesses in Orange County
This manual is intended to provide businesses with the tools necessary to own and operate an underground storage tank system in compliance with the rules and regulations enforced by OCHCA.
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