UST Emergency Response & Spill Containment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under EPA regulations, what is the maximum volume of a spill that can occur before the owner/operator must report it to the implementing agency?
- 25 gallons
- Less than 25 gallons (Correct answer)
- 10 gallons
- 50 gallons
Correct answer: Less than 25 gallons
Spills of less than 25 gallons that are immediately contained and cleaned up do not require reporting to the implementing agency.
Question 2: When a release is confirmed from a UST system, which action must be taken FIRST according to EPA 40 CFR Part 280?
- Notify the implementing agency within 24 hours
- Remove all product from the tank
- Take immediate action to stop, contain, and mitigate the release (Correct answer)
- Begin a site assessment
Correct answer: Take immediate action to stop, contain, and mitigate the release
Owners/operators must immediately act to stop, contain, and mitigate the effects of the release before proceeding with notification and assessment steps.
Question 3: Which type of absorbent material is PROHIBITED for use in cleaning up a petroleum spill near a storm drain?
- Clay-based absorbents
- Cellulose-based absorbents
- Polypropylene booms
- Sand or kitty litter that will be washed into the drain (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Sand or kitty litter that will be washed into the drain
Sweeping contaminated absorbent material into a storm drain creates a secondary release and violates clean water regulations.
Question 4: A UST operator discovers product in a monitoring well. What does this finding indicate?
- The monitoring well is malfunctioning
- A release has likely occurred from the UST system (Correct answer)
- Groundwater is naturally contaminated in the area
- The tank is overfilled and needs venting
Correct answer: A release has likely occurred from the UST system
Product found in a monitoring well is a confirmed indicator of a release from the UST system requiring immediate corrective action.
Question 5: Which agency must be notified if a spill results in a sheen on a nearby surface water body?
- Only the state UST implementing agency
- The National Response Center (NRC) under CERCLA (Correct answer)
- Only the local fire department
- The EPA regional administrator only
Correct answer: The National Response Center (NRC) under CERCLA
Any discharge causing a sheen on navigable waters must be reported to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802 under CERCLA and the Clean Water Act.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a spill bucket (also called a spill containment manhole) on a UST fill pipe?
- To prevent overfill by automatically stopping fuel flow
- To catch product spilled during delivery before it reaches the environment (Correct answer)
- To store emergency absorbent materials on-site
- To provide secondary containment for the entire tank
Correct answer: To catch product spilled during delivery before it reaches the environment
Spill buckets are designed to catch small amounts of product that drip or spill at the fill point during tank delivery operations.
Question 7: After an emergency response to a UST spill, contaminated PPE and cleanup materials must be disposed of as:
- Regular solid waste in any dumpster
- Hazardous waste according to applicable federal and state regulations (Correct answer)
- Recyclable materials after rinsing
- Medical waste following OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards
Correct answer: Hazardous waste according to applicable federal and state regulations
PPE and absorbents contaminated with petroleum products are typically classified as hazardous waste and must be disposed of according to RCRA and state hazardous waste regulations.
UST Emergency Response & Spill Containment 2
Under EPA regulations, what is the maximum volume of a spill that can occur before the owner/operator must report it to the implementing agency?