Closure Requirements for
Underground Storage Tanks
The following steps for closing an underground storage tank in Siskiyou
County shall be observed:
Submit two copies of a COMPLETED
"Underground Storage Tank Closure Application" to the Public Health
Department. Applications are available at the front counter of the
Public Health Department.
The completed application must be accompanied by
payment of the appropriate closure fee and a scale plot plan, using the
scale of 1/4" per 1 foot, showing the location of tank (s) and piping.
Fees may be paid by cashier, personal or business
check or by money order. Checks should be made payable to the Siskiyou
County Public Health Department.
The fee amount is determined by County ordinance, and is $198.00 for the first tank, and $75.00 for each additional
on-site tank being closed.
A closure permit will be issued by the Public
Health Department Sanitarian upon receipt of required information and
fees. The permit authorizes excavation and removal of tank (s) from the
site, or closure of the tank (s) on-site by filling with inert material.
Notify the Public Health Department of closure at
least 48 hours prior to commencing work. The Public Health Department
Sanitarian must be present at the time of tank excavation or closure. No
tank shall be excavated and removed without Public Health Department
approval on-site.
Tanks or piping cannot be removed from the property
or excavations filled prior to authorization by the Sanitarian.
The Sanitarian will inspect excavations and tanks
to determine the number, type, and location of required soil or water
samples. A list of sample and analysis requirements will be given to the
tank owner or contractor. Samples must be analyzed at a State approved
laboratory and results submitted to the Public Health Department.
Site cleanup may be
required if storage product has contaminated the groundwater or soil.
The site owner or contractor should
contact the local building official for compacting requirements when
excavations are filled.
The tank shall be empty and
residual contents removed to an approved disposal site.
Soil samples shall be collected by tank owner or
contractor and analyzed by an approved laboratory for chemical
constituents specified by the Public Health Department.
The tank shall be triple rinsed and the rinsage
shall be hauled away by a registered hauler with receipt submitted to
the Public Health Department.
The tank shall be rendered non-toxic and
non-volatile in a manner approved by the Public Health Department prior
to commencing work. Generally, fifteen pounds of dry ice per 1,000
gallons of tank capacity may be used for motor vehicle fuels or an
appropriate triple rinse procedure.
The tank shall be removed from the job site within
48 hours.
The transporter form shall be filled out and
signed by the transporter of the tank and the party receiving the tank.
Blank forms may be requested from the Public Health Department. Copies
of the tank transportation form will be maintained at the Public Health
Department, with a copy also given to the transporter and party
receiving the tank.
Tank transport: (a) rendered non-toxic and
non-volatile, (b) tank sealed with 1/8" holes drilled in plugs for
ventilation, (c) proper transportation papers filled out and in
possession of transporter, (d) tank being transported must be painted
with signs "Not For Reuse - Empty - CO2"
Excavation of tank site must be secure with Public
Health Department approval with one of the following: (a) fenced tank
pit area and taped, or (b) backfilled per Public Health Department
instructions, or (c) 24 hour guard until either of the previous two
items have been completed.
The tank disposal location shall be approved by the Public Health
Department.
If all of the above conditions are not met, then the tank must be
transported by a registered hazardous material hauler and properly
manifested in accordance with Title 22, Division 30, Section 66480 of
the California Administrative Code.
It is the responsibility of the site owner or contractor to ensure that
CAL-OSHA and Siskiyou County Air Pollution Control regulations are
observed at the job site. Written notification shall be given to the
Siskiyou County Air Pollution Department at least five working days
prior to tank removal or soil aeration.
Licensing requirements for the removal of underground storage tanks:
1. General Engineering Contractor (A) and Hazardous Substance Removal
License or 2. Plumbing Contractor C-36 and Hazardous Substance Removal License or
3. Limited Specialty Contractor (C-61 through D-40) and additional
Hazardous Substance Removal License.
Required Forms For Storage Tank Closure and Removal:
1. Underground Storage Tank Closure Application.
2. Underground Storage Tank Sample Requirements.
3. Underground Tank Closure Permit. 4. Transportation of Underground Tank Permit, if applicable.