UST Designated Operator

Why do I need a Designated UST Operator?

As an owner of a gas station or business that uses underground storage tanks (USTs) to store hazardous materials, you are well aware of the ever-tightening regulations of USTs in the nation and in California in particular.

Now the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) has mandated that by

January 1, 2005

each UST installation must be assigned a Designated UST Operator to perform monthly inspections, maintain records, and perform on-the-job personnel training.

Owners of USTs who remain out of compliance with this requirement risk fines of $500 to $5,000 per UST per day, in addition to criminal and civil penalties.

The UST owner has three options:

1. Ignore the new regulation, and hope the state’s enforcement is slow or nonexistent;

2. Sign up, pay for, study for, and pass the International Code Council (ICC) certification test (18% pass rate), and then perform the required duties on your own;

OR

Why should I choose IRM as my Designated UST Operator?

Integrated Resource Management, LLC (IRM) is an industry leader in implementing, directly managing, maintaining, and optimizing comprehensive environmental compliance programs. As a certified California UST System Operator, we are perfectly suited to perform the duties of Designated UST Operator for your company.

Our team of experienced water experts has saved our clients millions of dollars in avoided fines. IRM’s industrial clients range from food manufacturers to aggregate mining companies, spanning all major sectors of the economy. In addition, IRM provides consulting services to states, cities, water districts and associations, and represents clients on various regional water management and watermaster boards.

How will IRM perform the functions of Designated UST Operator?

Once identified as your company’s Designate UST Operator, IRM will immediately fulfill the following functions mandated in the new UST regulations:

1. Conduct monthly visual inspections of your UST system(s), including:

   • Review of alarm history

   • Check of alarm conditions

   • Inspection for the presence of hazardous substances, water and debris in spill containers, in under-dispenser containment areas, and in containment sumps

   • Verification of required testing and maintenance, as well as training activities and records

Specialist inspecting a UST monitoring station.

2. Implement an annual on-the-job training program for all onsite employees—including group and individualized instruction by a professional educator, and creation and distribution of original training manuals—on the following subjects:

   • Operation of the UST system

   • Monitoring

   • Spill and overfill procedures

   • Emergency and alarm response procedure

However, IRM will also perform the following additional functions that go above and beyond the stipulated requirements :

• Perform expanded compliance inspections of UST system(s), including product, vapor and vent piping, manways, sumps, vent riser, alarms, testing results, schedules, record-keeping, and onsite manuals, to ensure compliance with to various other regulations

• Monthly review and update of the UST compliance manual

• Verification and coordination of consistent testing schedule for compliance certification

• Representation and amelioration of Notices of Violation (NOVs) and Notices to Comply (NOCs) through correspondence and negotiation with the regulatory agency

Environmental Compliance