Class A/B Operator Training
PASS'Class A/B Operator Training in South Carolina is approved thru the DHEC
Class C Operator Training
DHEC does not "approve" Class C training programs. PASS Class C Operator training is acceptable to use in this state.

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

Owners must report any suspected or confirmed releases to the DHEC at 888-481-0125 within 24 hours of discovery.  Owners should complete the UST 24 Hour Release Report prior to contacting the DHEC.

UST owners in South Carolina  permitted prior to May 21, 2008 can use these methods of release detection: 

Those permitted after May 21, 2008 can only use Interstitial Monitoring

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.

Monthly Walkthrough inspection:
An owner/operator must conduct a walkthrough inspection every 30 days that covers spill prevention equipment and release detection equipment.

If the DHEC 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 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 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 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 
When an UST system is temporarily closed, owners and operators must continue operation and maintenance of corrosion protection in accordance with Section 280.31 of R.61-92 Underground storage tank control regulations, and any release detection must be maintained. However, release detection and release detection operation and maintenance testing and inspections are not required as long as the UST system is empty. Spill and overfill operation and maintenance testing and inspections are not required. 

When an UST system is temporarily closed for 3 months or more, owners and operators must also comply with the following requirements: 

When an UST system is temporarily closed for more than 12 months, owners and operators must permanently close the UST system if it does not meet either performance standards outlined inR.61-92, except that the spill and overfill equipment requirements do not have to be met. Owners and operators must permanently close the substandard UST systems at the end of this 12-month period unless the Department provides an extension of the 12-month temporary closure period. Owners and operators must complete a site assessment in accordance before such an extension can be applied for. 

When an UST system is temporarily closed, owners and operators must maintain records

Permanent Closure
At least 30 days before starting permanent closure or a change in service owners and operators must notify the DHEC in writing of their intent to permanently close or make a change in service unless the change is in response to a corrective action. Owners must also notify DHEC in writing at least 30 days before replacing previously installed piping or previously installed dispensers. The excavation zone must be assessed after notifying DHEC. This must occur before completion of the change in service or permeant closure.
To permanently close a tank, owners and operators must empty and clean it by removing all liquids and accumulated sludges. All tanks taken out of service permanently must be removed from the ground, filled with an inert solid material, or closed in place in a manner approved by DHEC.