In today’s world, underground storage tanks (USTs) contain an assortment of products ranging from gasoline to diesel to biofuels to hazardous chemical substances. Because of the wide swath of fuels and chemical substances available, it is imperative for tank owners to ensure that the tank itself is compatible with the substance stored. Storing certain fuels that are incompatible with the tanks threatens the overall integrity of the UST.
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Compatibility issues are not new to the UST community. Over 30 years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states began the tedious process of phasing out bare steel tanks because of the growing concern that these tanks were corroding with time and leaking. It was not unusual for UST systems to break down and release product that subsequently led to significant environmental cleanups and costly enforcement penalties.