Potentially storing thousands of litres of petrol, these tanks are often old and outdated and are therefore a major pollution risk. This is why the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) has introduced an amendment to the Protection of the Environment Operations Act (POEO) to update the requirements for UPSS.
UPSS are tanks wholly or partially underground that contain or are intended to contain petroleum. This regulation does not apply to aboveground tanks, sumps, wastewater systems, LPG storage or septic tanks (unless petroleum routinely passes through).
The regulations address UPSS that were used before 1 June 2008 (“old UPSS”) and UPSS tanks that will be used for the first time in the future (“new UPSS”). |
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Soil contamination – what’s the harm?
Whilst leaks that go into the soil can seem harmless enough, contaminants can have a dangerous effect on the environment through soil. Contaminants can run through soil to reach groundwater or nearby waterways, causing untold pollution. In some areas, such as Mascot, groundwater runs only 2 metres underneath the soil. If the water shortage increases, groundwater might be used in the future as our drinking water, so it would be convenient if it wasn’t riddled with leaked petrol from UPSS.
As well as this, it can dangerously alter the composition of the soil to render it contaminated and unhealthy.
Old UPSS – what has to change?
An old UPSS is a UPSS that was commissioned prior to 1 June 2008. Commissioned is using the storage system for the first time after it is installed, repaired or modified.
1. Groundwater Monitoring Wells
Old UPSS must have groundwater monitoring wells installed on the storage site before 1 June 2011.
Groundwater monitoring wells must be:
a. Properly designed
b. Properly installed
c. Properly monitored
2. Environment Protection Plan
Old UPSS must have an Environment Protection Plan in place before 1 June 2009. The Plan must comply with EPA guidelines, updated when required and kept onsite.
The Environment Protection Plan must include:
- Loss monitoring procedure
- Incident management procedure
- Maintenance schedule
- Plan of the storage site
- List of relevant industry standards for the storage tank and groundwater monitoring well
- List of all design and installation specifications for the storage tank and groundwater monitoring well
- Relevant contact details
3. Maintenance of instruments
All measuring instruments (gauges, indicators, probes, sensors and others) must be checked as per Manufacturer specifications and the maintenance schedule in the Environment Protection Plan. The data from all checks must be recorded.
4. Record keeping
The following documents related to the underground storage tanks must be kept:
- Modification log
- Incident log
Documents that are required, such as validation reports, measuring instrument data, details of any action due to loss procedures and notifications to authorities of pollution, must be kept for 7 years from the date of creation.
New UPSS – what is required?
A new UPSS is a UPSS that was commissioned after 1 June 2008. Commissioned is using the storage system for the first time after it is installed, repaired or modified.
1. Commissioning
New or modified UPSS cannot be commissioned unless:
- Properly designed
- Properly installed
- Properly equipped
- Tested for equipment integrity
- Validated (Modifications only)
Repaired storage tanks cannot be commissioned unless it has been:
- Tested for equipment integrity
2. Groundwater Monitoring Wells
New UPSS must have groundwater monitoring wells installed on the storage site when commissioned.
Groundwater monitoring wells must be:
- Properly designed
- Properly installed
- Properly monitored
3. Environment Protection Plan
New UPSS must have an Environment Protection Plan in place when commissioned. The Plan must comply with EPA guidelines, updated when required and kept onsite.
The Environment Protection Plan must include:
- Loss monitoring procedure
- Incident management procedure
- Maintenance schedule
- Plan of the storage site
- List of relevant industry standards for the storage tank and groundwater monitoring well
- List of all design and installation specifications for the storage tank and groundwater monitoring well
- Relevant contact details
4. Maintenance of instruments
All measuring instruments (gauges, indicators, probes, sensors and others) must be checked as per Manufacturer specifications and the maintenance schedule in the Environment Protection Plan. The data from all checks must be recorded.
5. Record keeping
The following documents related to the underground storage tanks must be kept:
- Modification log
- Incident log
Documents that are required, such as validation reports, measuring instrument data, details of any action due to loss procedures and notifications to authorities of pollution, must be kept for 7 years from the date of creation.
For more information ...
An Information Guide is available on the MTA’s Green Stamp Plus website: www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au which gives more details on the requirements, as well as information on decommissioning UPSS and exemptions from the regulations. The DECC has also produced a draft document, “Guidelines for Implementing the POEO (Underground Petroleum Storage Systems) Regulation 2008” which provides in depth technical information as well as sample forms. The DECC’s Guidelines are available for download from the DECC website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au or the MTA’s Green Stamp Plus website.
The MTA is running the Green Stamp Plus program in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as a joint initiative with the Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. For more information please visit www.greenstamp.mtansw.com.au or call MTA on 02 9213 4222.
