Georgia Underground Storage Tank Compliance Regulations
Complete guide to Georgia EPD underground storage tank compliance — covering release detection monitoring, annual operability testing, cathodic protection, spill bucket inspections, and what to expect during a compliance inspection.
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Read the Compliance GuideGeorgia Regulatory Overview
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regulates underground storage tanks through the Underground Storage Tank Management Program within the Land Protection Branch. EPD conducts compliance inspections on a 2–3 year cycle, covering records review, equipment walk-throughs, and release detection verification.
A compliance inspection consists of three parts: Part 1 is a records review of registration, operator certificates, financial responsibility, and 3 years of release detection records. Part 2 is a walk-through of all UST system equipment including spill buckets, overfill protection, dispensers, vent lines, and cathodic protection. Part 3 is the inspector's determination — either a Notice of Compliance (NOC) or a Notice of Violation (NOV). Unresolved violations can escalate to Expedited Consent Orders with financial penalties and fuel delivery prohibition.
Key Compliance Requirements
Georgia EPD requires UST owners and operators to meet these compliance obligations for registration, release detection, testing, maintenance, and record-keeping.
Tank Registration
All underground storage tanks in Georgia must be registered annually with the EPD. A current Registration Certificate must be posted in a visible location at the facility. Failure to register tanks annually is one of the most common violations identified during inspections.
Release Detection Monitoring
Tanks must be monitored every 30 days using approved methods such as Automatic Tank Gauging (ATG), Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR), Interstitial Monitoring (IM), Groundwater Monitoring (GM), or Manual Tank Gauging (MTG). Three years of monthly records must be maintained.
Line Release Detection
Monthly line release detection records must be maintained for 3 years, covering Interstitial Monitoring/Sump Sensors (IM/SS), Electronic Line Leak Detectors (ELLD), and Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR). Annual line tightness tests and line leak detector tests are also required.
Interstitial Monitoring Sensor Testing
Annual operability testing of interstitial monitoring devices is required, including tank sensors and sump sensors. Three years of passing annual test records must be available during an inspection. Failure to conduct this test is a common violation.
Walkthrough Inspections
Owners and operators must conduct walkthrough inspections every 30 days to check spill prevention equipment and release detection equipment for damage and proper operation. Annual walkthrough inspections must also check containment sumps and hand-held release detection equipment. Required since October 13, 2018 under the 2015 federal UST rule.
Overfill Prevention
Facilities must maintain proof of overfill type and demonstrate proper operation. Overfill prevention equipment must be inspected for proper operation at least once every 3 years per 40 CFR 280.35. During inspections, the inspector will examine overfill protection equipment along with spill buckets and fill ports.
Spill Buckets & Sumps
Spill buckets and containment sumps must be kept clean and empty at all times. Spill prevention equipment must be tested for liquid tightness at least once every 3 years. Containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping must also be tested every 3 years. Failure to maintain clean spill buckets and sumps is a frequently cited violation.
Cathodic Protection
Cathodic protection systems must be tested every 3 years, with the two most recent system test records available for inspection. Impressed current systems require rectifier box inspections with a 60-day log maintained for the most recent 3 years.
Certified Operators
Each Georgia UST facility must have designated A/B/C Operators with valid certificates. Class A/B operators must retrain every 7 years or if the system is found out of compliance. Operator certificates must be available during inspections as part of the EPD records review.
Financial Responsibility
Proof of financial responsibility must be available during inspections — including environmental assurance fee payments for the GUST Trust Fund (e.g., gas invoices), private insurance policy certificates, proof of self-insurance, or other approved documentation.
Repairs & Maintenance
All necessary repairs to broken or damaged equipment must be completed within the required timeframe. Maintenance and repair records must be maintained and available for inspection. Failure to make timely repairs is a commonly cited violation during EPD inspections.
Release Reporting
All suspected releases (e.g., a failing test result) must be reported to the EPD within 24 hours. A tank and piping tightness test must be conducted within 7 days. Failure to report a suspected release is a serious violation. Temporary out of use (TOU) requirements must also be followed for any tanks taken out of service.
Compliance Inspections
EPD conducts inspections every 2–3 years, consisting of a records review, equipment walk-through, and a determination. The inspector will issue either a Notice of Compliance (NOC) or a Notice of Violation (NOV). Unresolved NOVs can lead to Expedited Consent Orders with penalties and potential fuel delivery prohibition.
Georgia Compliance Schedule
Testing frequencies and record-keeping requirements for Georgia EPD underground storage tank compliance inspections.
| Requirement | Frequency | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Walkthrough Inspection — Spill Prevention & Release Detection | Every 30 Days | Visual check of spill prevention and release detection equipment |
| Tank Release Detection Monitoring (ATG, SIR, IM, GM, MTG) | Every 30 Days | Maintain 3 years of passing monthly records |
| Line Release Detection Monitoring (IM/SS, ELLD, SIR) | Every 30 Days | Maintain 3 years of passing monthly records |
| Rectifier Box Inspection (Impressed Current Systems) | Every 60 Days | Maintain most recent 3 years of 60-day log |
| Tank Registration Renewal | Annually | Current Registration Certificate must be maintained at facility |
| Walkthrough Inspection — Containment Sumps & Hand-Held Devices | Annually | Annual visual inspection of containment sumps and hand-held release detection equipment |
| Interstitial Monitoring Sensor Operability (Tank & Sump) | Annually | Maintain 3 years of passing annual test records |
| Line Tightness Test | Annually | Maintain 3 years of passing annual records |
| Line Leak Detector Test (Mechanical & Electronic) | Annually | Maintain 3 years of passing annual records |
| Sump Sensor Function Test | Annually | Maintain 3 years of passing annual records |
| Spill Prevention Equipment (Spill Bucket) Testing | Every 3 Years | Liquid tightness testing per 40 CFR 280.35 |
| Overfill Prevention Equipment Inspection | Every 3 Years | Inspect for proper operation per 40 CFR 280.35 |
| Containment Sump Integrity Testing | Every 3 Years | Liquid tightness testing for sumps used for interstitial monitoring |
| Cathodic Protection System Test | Every 3 Years | Maintain two most recent system test records |
| EPD Compliance Inspection | Every 2–3 Years | Records review + equipment walk-through; results in NOC or NOV |
| Spill Bucket & Sump Maintenance | Ongoing | Must be kept clean and empty at all times |
| Equipment Repairs | As Needed | Complete within required timeframe; maintain repair records |
| Suspected Release Reporting | Within 24 Hours | Report failing test results and suspected releases to EPD; tightness test within 7 days |
How Apex DSC Can Help
Our Georgia Compliance Services
- Monthly walkthrough inspections and release detection monitoring
- Annual interstitial monitoring sensor operability testing
- Annual line tightness and line leak detector testing
- Triennial spill bucket, overfill, and containment sump testing
- Cathodic protection system testing every 3 years
- Spill bucket and sump cleaning and maintenance
- Tank monitor alarm diagnostics and resolution
- Complete inspection preparation and record organization
Why Choose Apex DSC?
- Deep knowledge of Georgia EPD inspection process and requirements
- We meet directly with EPD inspectors on your behalf
- Help you avoid NOVs, Consent Orders, and fuel delivery prohibitions
- Complete 3-year record management for all release detection methods
- Proactive scheduling so you never miss a testing deadline
- Service throughout the state of Georgia
Prepare for Your Georgia EPD Compliance Inspection
Don't risk violations, consent orders, or fuel delivery prohibition. Contact Apex DSC today to ensure your Georgia UST facility is fully compliant and inspection-ready.
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