EPA Settlement With Petersburg, Va., Business Helps Protect Soil And Groundwater From Contamination

An underground storage tank (UST) at the Petersburg Deli, Inc., in Petersburg, Va., will now be regularly monitored and inspected under a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to resolve alleged violations of UST regulations.

The required monthly and yearly inspections of leak detection equipment on a 6,000-gallon UST that stores kerosene will help prevent soil and groundwater contamination. The inspections will also help reduce the need for costly cleanups from accidental leaks.

Petersburg Deli has agreed to pay a $9,155 penalty.

EPA cited the company for not complying with safeguards designed to prevent, detect, and control leaks of petroleum and other hazardous substances from USTs. According to EPA, the company failed to conduct required monthly leak detection activities, and annual tests of leak detection equipment.

With millions of gallons of petroleum products and hazardous substances stored in USTs throughout the U.S., leaking tanks are a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state UST regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and to promptly detect and properly address leaks thus minimizing environmental harm and avoiding the costs of major cleanups.

As part of the settlement, the company did not admit liability for the alleged violation. The settlement penalty reflects the company’s cooperation with EPA in correcting the alleged non-compliance and resolving this matter.

For more information on underground storage tanks, go to: http://www.epa.gov/oust/index.htm.