Class A/B Operator Training
PASS' Class A/B Operator Training in South Carolina is approved thru the DHEC
Class C Operator Training
PASS' Class C Operator Training in South Carolina is approved thru the DHEC

All of PASS’ UST operator training courses meet and exceed the federal requirements for UST operator training and are offered through our in-house designed and built Learning Management System (LMS). PASS’ state-specific A/B training courses are custom tailored to meet state requirements, and are accepted by more states than any other training provider.  Our courses are available on demand, 24/7 and are accessible from any internet-connected computer, tablet, or phone. The student can complete an entire course in a single session or take the course in segments. The training may be stopped and restarted, allowing for maximum schedule flexibility. PASS also does not impose time restrictions on course access, so students may take as much time as they need to complete their training.  Once training is completed a certificate is available to save and print.

Owners/operators of all USTs must register their USTs with the DHEC by submitting a completed Notification for Underground Storage Tanks in Operation to the DHEC.  Upon registration, the DHEC will issue each facility a certificate of registration, which must be renewed annually.

Owners/operators are required to pay an annual tank fee.  The DHEC mails invoices to owners/operators at the end of May.  Tank fees are due by July 31.  Once all tank fees have been paid, the owner/operator will be issued a new certificate of registration.

Owners/operators must report any suspected or confirmed releases to the DHEC at 888-481-0125 within 72 hours of discovery.  Owners/operators should complete the UST 72 Hour Release Report prior to contacting the DHEC.

UST owners/operators in South Carolina may use any of the following methods of release detection:

South Carolina follows the federal financial responsibility coverage amounts found in 40 CFR §280.93 (scroll to page 77 of 119 in the pdf document).  Owners/operators may use any of the following mechanisms to demonstrate financial responsibility.

Owners/operators must also submit a completed UST Certificate of Financial Responsibility form to the DHEC.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will conduct a compliance inspection of each UST facility once every 12 months.  The DHEC inspector will contact the owner 7-10 days prior to schedule the inspection.  The inspection consists of a records review and a walk-through inspection of associated tank system equipment.

Records to be reviewed

Walk-through inspection items

The inspector will inspect all of the associated tank system equipment.  The owner must ensure there is someone present to assist the inspector in accessing all equipment and that all keys to locked equipment are available.  Although not regulated by the DHEC, the inspector will gather information about any ASTs at the site and the closest public and private water supply wells.

If a DHEC inspector determines that a UST or UST system is out of compliance with UST regulations, he or she may initiate non-compliance enforcement procedures.  The DHEC will first issue a Notice of Alleged Violation to the owner/operator with a compliance date.  If the violations have not been corrected by the compliance date, the DHEC will issue a delivery prohibition letter giving the owner/operator an additional 15 days to achieve compliance.  If the violations have not been corrected after the additional 15 days, the DHEC will contact the owner/operator and inform him or her that the UST(s) will be tagged the following day or next business day.  Non-compliant USTs are added to the online delivery prohibition list.  Once the DHEC is satisfied that the violations have been corrected, it will inform the owner/operator that he or she may remove the tag.

Temporary Closure is an option that tank owners may choose when they decide not to use the tanks for a period of time. Proper temporary closure is referred to as Extended-Out-Of-Use (EOU). In order for a facility to remain in compliance while out-of-use, the following requirements must be met:

When an UST system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months, the tank system must be permanently closed if it does not meet the cathodic protection requirements found in R.61-92, Part 280.20 and 280.21 (pdf).

There are two acceptable methods for permanent closure, removal from the ground (recommended) and fill-in-place with an approved inert solid substance.

At least 30 days prior to beginning closure activities, an accurately filled out Tank and Sludge Disposal Form (pdf) must be submitted to the Division.

Points to consider:

Once all information is received and deemed acceptable, an approval letter will be mailed out to the tank owner as well as the closure contractor (if applicable). The tank owner must then give 48-hours notice prior to the actual closure (removal or fill-in-place) event so that a Division representative may be present.

Soil sampling is required at all permanent closures. Information about sampling requirements can be found in the Underground Storage Tank Assessment Guidelines (pdf) as well as the Analytical Methodology for Groundwater and Soil Assessment Guidelines (pdf). A Closure Report must be submitted to the Division within 60 days of the closure event. Please contact the Division with any questions regarding closure or sampling specifics, including variances.