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18 Above Ground Storage Tanks vs

Oct Underground Storage Tanks
Posted by J. Heaney

8 1 5 2 2026

If you plan to store petroleum products or certain types

of hazardous substances, you can count on detailed
regulation whether you choose underground orabove
ground storage tanks. Stringent standards are aimed at
overall public health and environmental protection, but
primarily ensuring that our groundwater remains safe,
because half the nations drinking water comes from this
source.

An underground storage tank (UST) is defined by the US

Environmental Protection Agency as any tank and
connecting underground piping that holds at least ten percent of its
combined volume underground. The EPA regulates all USTs used to store
specified hazardous substances or petroleum.

Above ground storage tanks (ASTs) also have to meet EPA Spill, Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure standards, regulations that cover tank design,
construction and installation as well as ongoing monitoring and inspection,
and clean-up if a spill occurs.

Who regulates underground and above ground storage tanks?

New York and New Jersey are part of EPA Region 2. Compliance monitoring
is handled by each state the New York Department of Environmental
Conservation Petroleum Bulk Storage Program or the New Jersey

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Department of Environmental Protection UST or LUST (leaking UST)

Programs.
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In addition, your county, municipality and/or fire department may modify or
add to the EPAs requirements. Fire codes usually indicate whether ASTs are
allowed, and they typically define the type of equipment you need, maximum
capacity, fire resistance level and minimum distance needed to separate
tanks from one another, buildings, property lines, public areas and dispensing
equipment.

ASTs are gaining official acceptance. Whether they will be approved for your
location depends on what you plan to store, the location and size of your
tanks and whether your product is being sold at retail or used only for private
motor-vehicle fueling.

Above ground storage tanks are often preferred for bulk storage of chemicals
and fuels.

Its less costly to install an AST. You can place the tank on a pad or footing, so
youll need far less excavation and the corresponding backfill and paving. You
can easily perform a visual check for leaks because ASTs are situated in a
diked environment or above grade.

Under some circumstances, ASTs dont necessarily have to be fire-rated. And

theyre comparatively easy to move, especially the smaller sizes.

New ASTs are now required to be constructed of steel. Underground storage

tanks may be constructed of steel or fiberglass, and tanks are also available in
a composite design where the steel is coated with fiberglass or corrosion-
resistant urethane.

Whats trending with storage tanks?

Larger size, for one thing, to facilitate future expansion if your fuel storage
needs increase. Planning ahead saves money in the long run.

Secondary containment is becoming more widely required. These tanks cost

more up front but provide better protection against environmental
contamination in the event of a leak. The Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) require secondary containment for some hazardous
substances.

Compartmentalized USTs are growing in popularity. They are less expensive

to install because you need less excavation, backfill and paving for just one
rather than several tanks and because they enable onsite blending of
different fuel grades.

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Not sure whether underground or above ground storage tanks are right for
your application?
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If you can answer yes to all these questions, above ground storage tanks
probably make good sense for your installation:

Permitted by zoning regulations, or a variance might be possible?

Sufficient land available to accommodate tanks now and for future needs?

Aesthetically appropriate?

Can meet required environmental protection and secondary containment?

Spill control sufficient to avoid fire explosions?

Adequate protection from vandals or other tampering?

Design can efficiently support product storage and transfer?

Financially feasible?

If one of more of these key factors doesnt work, youll likely need to install
underground storage tanks instead.

8 1 5 2 2026

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