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Amer. Samoa service station settles fuel storage tank violations

Release Date: 06/26/2006
Contact Information: Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, [email protected]

(06/26/06) HONOLULU - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with the Langkilde Service Station for a fine of $10,000 over alleged federal underground storage tank violations at its facility in Malaloa Village, American Samoa.

The EPA alleges that Langkilde Service Station failed to meet federal requirements by conducting line tightness tests or using monthly leak detection monitoring on its petroleum piping. The company’s facility includes five underground tanks, three of which are already temporarily closed, with unleaded fuel and kerosene stored in its two operating tanks.

“We expect tank owners to properly maintain their tanks to prevent them from leaking,” said Jeff Scott, director for the EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Waste Division. “Taking this action will help ensure American Samoa's fresh water supply and coral reefs are not damaged by negligence.”

The EPA has inspected the service station several times and given the facility numerous opportunities to bring its tanks into compliance but it failed to do so. In a December 2004 letter to the company, the EPA reminded Langkilde that by July 2005 it needed to either install sump sensors designed to detect piping leaks or conduct a line tightness test to determine whether the petroleum piping was sound. In October 2005, the EPA found the company failed to do either.

The EPA frequently conducts unannounced tank inspections. More information on the EPA’s underground storage tank program can be obtained at: https://www.epa.gov/OUST/.

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