Public Health & Community Development

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Environmental Health Division

Hazardous Materials & Waste FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q. When do I have to complete a Business Plan?

A. When you store or handle hazardous materials on-site at any time during the year in quantities greater than or equal to 55 gallons of liquid, 500 pounds of solids or 200 cubic feet of gas.

Q. What is a Hazardous Material?

A. Any material that because of its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics poses a significant or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released into the work place or the environment.

Q. Who must be notified of a spill of a hazardous material?

A. (1) The local Emergency Response Agency - 911; (2) The local Administering Agency - 911 or (530) 841-4040; (3) Office of Emergency Services - 1-800-852-7550.

Q. What is a spill?

A. Any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment, unless permitted or authorized by a regulatory agency.

Q. What hazardous materials release requires notification?

A. All significant spills, releases, or potential releases of hazardous materials must be immediately reported.

Q. Are my underground tanks regulated?

A. (1) All gasoline or diesel tanks are regulated that are used for vehicle use. The ONLY exception to this is if the tank capacity is under 1100 gallons, and the tank is used for agricultural purposes, and not held for resale; (2) Heating Oil tanks located on a farm or at a personal residence which holds no more than 1100 gallons of home heating oil fuel which is used consumptively at the premises where the tank is located; (3) ALL tanks are regulated: gas, diesel, kerosene and heating fuels, IF located at a business.

Q. Do I have to take out a permit if I have an exempt tank?

A. If you want a closure letter from the Public Health Department that states that your site has been cleaned up to State standards and has been supervised under a Public Health Department permit, yes.

Q. Can I get financial help to replace my tank?

A. YES - Call the California Trade and Commerce Agency, Office of Small Business Low Interest Rate Loans at (916) 323-9879 for information about "Repairing or Replacing Underground Storage Tanks." Their FAX number is (916) 227-4307, or you may write to them at Underground Storage Program, ATTN: Upgrade Information, PO Box 944212, Sacramento, CA 94244-2121.

Q. How can I obtain information on the clean up fund?

A. Call (916) 227-4307 or write: State Water Resources Control, UST Cleanup Fund Program, PO Box 944212, Sacramento, CA 94244-2120.