 Petroleum Storage Tank Compliance Program
In 1993 the DeSoto County Health Department entered into a contract
with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to conduct
the Petroleum Storage Tank Compliance Program.
The Program was initiated by the State of Florida in 1983 to protect
our groundwater from potential fuel leaks and contamination from
petroleum storage tank systems. The Program consists of:
- Annual compliance inspections of existing facilities to
ensure that all components of the system are functioning
properly and that no fuel leaks are occurring or possible have
occurred.
- Installation inspections of newly constructed facilities to
ensure that all components are properly installed and
functioning correctly.
- Closure inspections of facilities that are no longer using
petroleum storage tanks, to document that all system components
are removed and properly disposed of, and that no fuel leaks
have occurred.
- Investigations of all reported incidents and discharges of
petroleum product in the environment.
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Currently in DeSoto County, there are 146 petroleum storage
facilities, with 410 associated tanks. Each facility is
inspected annually. There are underground storage tanks (UST’s)
typically found at gas stations, and there are aboveground
storage tanks (AST’s), which are generally used in agriculture
operations.
For additional information on storage tank registration and
regulation visit:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/tanks/default.htm
The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Act (S.U.P.E.R.)
The
SUPER Act Program is responsible for identifying areas in
the state having drinking water contaminated as a result of
leaking underground storage tanks, surface spills and other
discharges to the environment. This program conducts well
surveillance in potentially impacted areas, notifies the public
of potential adverse health effects and provides assistance in
obtaining alternative sources of drinking water.
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