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EPA, ADEQ complete latest round of petroleum tank inspections in Arizona

Release Date: 12/14/2006
Contact Information: Wendy Chavez, 415/760-5422

Effort aimed at preventing future contamination

SAN FRANCISCO – In an effort to prevent future soil and groundwater contamination, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently inspected 20 facilities in Arizona for leaking underground storage tanks.

The EPA, working with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, inspected 20 facilities in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Casa Grande, Globe, Apache Junction, Kearny and Claypool. The EPA found a number of underground storage tank violations, and issued 10 field citations totaling $5,600 in penalties.

The EPA also cited a number of record keeping violations that will be withdrawn once the facility submits proper reports by the requested timeframe. The EPA found operational violations, such as cracked spill buckets, corroded piping and some suspected releases.

“Our federal field citation program helps bring tanks into compliance as quickly as possible without creating unwarranted financial hardship," said Jeff Scott, the U.S. EPA’s Waste Management director for the Pacific Southwest region. “The EPA will continue to work with ADEQ to inspect underground tank sites and cite facilities as necessary to protect Arizona’s vital ground water resources from contamination.”

The unannounced joint EPA and ADEQ inspections were part of a continuous effort throughout the last year to prevent contamination and help companies comply with underground storage tank regulations. The EPA also checked for current owner and operator tank liability insurance, which covers cleanup costs of leaking underground storage tank systems.

The results of the inspections:

Phoenix
Taylor: $1,950 penalty
TP Racing LLP: out of compliance, no field citations
Shell #35: out of compliance, no field citations
Biltmore Automotive Center: in compliance
Phoenix Sunnyslope, US West Communications: in compliance
Sanderson Lincoln /Mercury: in compliance

Scottsdale
Dottlings, Paseo Village Shell: out of compliance, no field citation
Arco 6033: in compliance
Founders Corps. Center: in compliance

Casa Grande
Fast Trip#51: $650 penalty
Five Points Chevron: $400 penalty
Adams Distributing: in compliance

Globe
Globe Express#503: $500 penalty
City of Globe: $450 penalty
Super Stop: $200 penalty

Apache Junction
Two Brother's IV Arco: $300 penalty

Kearny
Gordon's IGA: $650 penalty
CJ Market: $300 penalty

Claypool
Circle K#1445: $200 penalty

A December 1998 federal deadline required regulated underground storage tanks to have spill and overfill equipment, corrosion protection, and release detection methods to prevent releases.

The EPA frequently conducts unannounced tank inspections. Owners and operators who are cited are required to correct the violations, submit documentation, and pay the settlement amount within 30 days. Failure to comply may subject them to penalties of up to $11,000 per violation per tank per day in addition to the added cleanup costs for leaking tanks.

For more information visit: https://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/ust/ustinspect.html and https://www.epa.gov/region09/waste/ust/index.html , or https://www.epa.gov/OUST/

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