For every underground storage tank installed on or before January 1, 1984, and used for the storage of hazardous substances, the following actions shall be taken:

(a)  On or before July 1, 1985, the owner or operator shall outfit the underground tank system with a monitoring system capable of detecting unauthorized releases of any hazardous substances stored in the tank system, and thereafter, the owner or operator shall monitor each tank system, based on materials stored and the type of monitoring installed.

(b)  Provide a means for visual inspection of the tank system, wherever practical, for the purpose of the monitoring required by subdivision (a). Alternative methods of monitoring the tank system on a monthly, or more frequent basis, may be required by the local agency, consistent with the regulations of the board.

The alternative monitoring methods include, but are not limited to, the following methods:

(1)  Tank integrity testing for proving the integrity of an underground tank system at time intervals specified by the board.

(2)  A groundwater monitoring well or wells that are downgradient and adjacent to the underground tank system, vapor analysis within a well where appropriate, and analysis of soil borings at the time of initial installation of the well.

(3)  A continuous leak detection and alarm system that is located in monitoring wells adjacent to an underground tank system and which is approved by the local agency.

(4)  For monitoring tanks containing motor vehicle fuels, daily gauging and inventory reconciliation by the owner or operator, if all of the following requirements are met:

(A)  Inventory records are kept on file for one year and are reviewed quarterly.

(B)  The tank system is tested, using the tank integrity test at time intervals specified by the board and whenever there is a shortage greater than the amount which the board shall specify by regulation.

(C)  If a pressurized pump system is connected to the tank system, the system has a leak detection device to monitor for leaks in the piping. The leak detection device shall be installed in a manner designed to resist unauthorized tampering and to clearly show by visual inspection if tampering has occurred. The leak detection device shall be tested annually, at a minimum, and all devices found to be not performing in conformance with the manufacturer’s leak detection specifications shall be promptly repaired or replaced.

(5)  For monitoring underground tank systems that are located on farms and that store motor vehicle or heating fuels used primarily for agricultural purposes, alternative monitoring methods include the following:

(A)  If the tank has a capacity of greater than 1,100 gallons but of 5,000 gallons or less, the tank shall be tested using the tank integrity test, at least once every three years, and the owner or operator shall utilize tank gauging on a monthly or more frequent basis, as required by the local agency, subject to the specifications provided in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 2641 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, as that section read on August 13, 1985.

(B)  If the tank has a capacity of more than 5,000 gallons, the tank shall be monitored pursuant to the methods for all other tanks specified in this subdivision.

(c)  The board shall develop regulations specifying monitoring alternatives. The local agency, or any other public agency specified by the local agency, shall approve the location and number of wells, the depth of wells, and the sampling frequency, pursuant to these regulations.

(d)  On or before December 22, 1998, the underground storage tank shall be replaced or upgraded to prevent releases due to corrosion or spills or overfills for the underground storage tank’s operating life.

(e)  (1)  All existing underground pressurized piping shall be equipped with an automatic line leak detector on or before December 22, 1990, and shall be retrofitted with secondary containment on or before December 22, 1998. Underground pressurized piping shall be tightness tested annually.

(2)  Paragraph (1) does not apply to existing pressurized piping containing motor vehicle fuel, if the pipeline is constructed of glass fiber reinforced plastic, cathodically protected steel, or steel clad with glass fiber reinforced plastic, is equipped with an automatic line leak detector, and is tightness tested annually.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 42, Sec. 8. Effective July 7, 2003.)