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Aboveground Storage Tanks

Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) & AST Compliance in California

The Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) is a California law designed to prevent petroleum spills from aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and protect water resources. It aligns closely with the federal Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule under 40 CFR Part 112.

APSA is administered by Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) under the oversight of CAL FIRE – Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Facilities are subject to APSA if they:

  • Have 1,320 gallons or more of petroleum stored in ASTs (including 55-gallon drums).

Petroleum includes crude oil, gasoline, diesel, motor oil, used oil, and biofuel blends. It does not include propane, LNG, or asphalt products.

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) oversees reporting, coordinating testing, and ensuring regulatory compliance of campus ASTs.

 

Report Spill immediately to EH&S

  1. Report initial spills from ASTs to EH&S, as some spills are reportable to our local regulatory.
  2. Submit an FSR for clean up.

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC) It’s a federally required document under the Clean Water Act (40 CFR Part 112), designed to prevent oil discharges into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. A "Tank Facility Statement" is submitted annually through the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) by EH&S 

Our SPCC Plan

  • Regulatory Inspections: EH&S meets with CUPA for all AST inspections at least once every three years.
  • Routine Self-Inspections: EH&S coordinates routine inspections for all AST on campus. 

Notify EH&S  of any plans to install a AST so we can update our campus SPCC, Tanks Facility Statement, and HMBP

Aboveground storage tanks must:

  • contain secondary containment for all ASTs (e.g., dikes, berms, double-walled tanks).
    • double-walled tanks may substitute for traditional secondary containment if equipped with leak detection.
  • have impervious surfaces to prevent leaks from reaching soil or water.
  • have a spill response material accessible to prevent petroleum discharge.
  • have a setback distance from buildings and property lines.
  • have a fire protection system close by (e.g., foam suppression, fire-rated enclosures).

  1. Notify EH&S  of any plans to remove a AST so we can update our campus SPCC, Tanks Facility Statement, and HMBP

    Aboveground Tank System Closure Requirements

  2. Clean and Decontaminate - tanks must be emptied and cleaned of all petroleum residues. Rinsate and decontamination materials are considered hazardous waste.
  3. Tank Removal Process - removal may need to be witnessed by a local agency representative. All piping, pumps, and associated equipment must be removed. Soil sampling may be required to check for contamination.
  4. Transportation & Disposal: cleaned tank material can be recycled; for questions or manifest signing needs for hazardous waste disposal visit: Debris and Waste from Construction/Renovation Activities