Temporary Closure
You may temporarily close your UST for up to 12 months by following these requirements:
- Continue to monitor for leaks by maintaining the UST's leak detection. (If your UST is empty, you do not need to maintain leak detection.) Also, continue to monitor and maintain any corrosion protection systems. If a release is discovered, quickly stop the release, notify DENR, and take appropriate action to clean up the site.
- If the UST remains temporarily closed for more than 3 months, leave vent lines open, but cap and secure all other lines, pumps, manways, and ancillary equipment.
After 12 months of temporary closure, you have two options:
1. UST systems that meet the 1998 compliance requirements and have had all product removed from them, may be left in temporary closure provided an assessment has been done to show no leakage has occurred from the tank system and the results from the leak detection system show no loss of product.
2. USTs may be left in place longer than 12 months provided certain specific site conditions are met. Please contact DENR's UST section to discuss the conditions.
Permanent Closure
If you decide to close your UST permanently, follow these requirements:
- Notify the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at least 30 days before you close your UST.
- Perform a site assessment to determine if the tank has leaked. The simplest form of a site assessment is to collect soil samples under each tank (in the case of removal) or as close to the tank basin (in the case of in-place closure), and also from beneath the dispenser. A soil sample must also be taken from under the distribution line, if it is more than 25 feet long. A third person, for example local sheriff or fire marshall, must be present to certify that the samples were collected from beneath the required locations. If the tanks are more than 1100-gallons in capacity, the person who takes the sample must be certified by the state. These samples must be sent to a laboratory to be analyzed for the presence of contamination.
- The test results must be sent to the DENR. If the test results show samples are free from contamination, you will receive a tank closure letter from DENR. If there is contamination, you may have to take corrective action.
A program was developed by the South Dakota Legislature to provide funds for clean up of contamination caused by the release from petroleum underground storage tanks. The program is administered by the Petroleum Release Compensation Fund (PRCF). For specific information on fund deductibles and certification requirements, please contact the PRCF at Phone (605) 773-3769.