Temporary Closure
Underground storage tank release detection requirements can be deferred for up to 12 months for currently active tanks, if the tanks are temporarily abandoned. The steps to temporarily abandon your regulated underground storage tanks are listed below:
- The tanks must be emptied.
- The fill pipe and gauge opening must be sealed;
- The product lines must be sealed; the pumps locked, and the electrical power shut off;
- The vent lines must remain open.
- If your underground storage tank system includes impressed current cathodic protection, do not shut-off electrical power to the rectifier. KDHE will continue to require cathodic protection tests if your USTs are protected by impressed current or sacrificial anode cathodic protection systems.
- Inform your 3rd Party Liability Insurance carrier that you will no longer be storing regulated substances in your underground storage tank system while its status is changed to “Temporary-out-of-Service.” However, do not drop the 3rd Party Liability Insurance for these tanks. KDHE requires that owner/operators of USTs continue to demonstrate financial responsibility for USTs that remain in the ground.
- Please continue to pay yearly tank registration fees for your underground storage tank system while it is “Temporary-out-of-Service.”
Please inform KDHE in writing that you wish to temporarily abandon your USTs:
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Environmental Remediation
Storage Tank Section
1000 SW Jackson, Suite 410
Topeka, KS 66612-1367
“Temporary-out-of-Service” underground storage tank systems may be brought back into service by upgrading to meet KDHE requirements for tank and line release detection, inventory control, spill prevention, overfill prevention, and corrosion protection. If you have any questions, please call 785-296-8061.
Permanent Closure
KDHE recognizes two methods to permanently close underground storage tank systems: removal or in-place abandonment. Kansas-licensed UST removers must complete the work to permanently close UST systems and notify KDHE of the permanent closure with a “
Permanent Tank Abandonment (UST008)” form.
An environmental site assessment is required for any UST to be permanently closed. KDHE must be notified before an UST can be removed or abandoned in place. With adequate notice, the KDHE field staff can inspect a tank removal site and perform a site assessment at no cost to the owner. If a tank is to be abandoned in place, the owner must hire an environmental professional to perform a Phase II site assessment prior to abandonment. Once KDHE has evaluated the site assessment and approved the closure, Kansas-licensed UST removers may fill the tank with an inert solid material such as sand. If contamination, exceeding KDHE standards, is discovered at any closure site, remedial action will be required.