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Delaware Department of Transportation and Transit Authority Settle UST Violations with EPA

Release Date: 04/06/2006
Contact Information: Mike Frankel 215-814-2665

PHILADELPHIA - The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) have settled alleged violations of federal regulations designed to prevent leaks of fuel and hazardous wastes from underground storage tanks (USTs), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. DelDOT and DTC will pay a $33,969 penalty to settle alleged UST violations at three facilities in Newark and Wilmington.

The settlement announced today resolves alleged UST violations at the following facilities discovered during 2003 EPA inspections.

DOT’s Delaware Expressways Maintenance Facility, 39 E. Regal Blvd., Newark DelDOT allegedly failed to perform leak detection on tanks and piping, and violated corrosion protection requirements at the site where two bio-diesel tanks with capacities of 10,000 gallons and 6,000 gallons, and a 10,000 gallon gasoline tank were located.

DTC’s facility at 2 N. Monroe St., Wilmington
DTC allegedly failed to maintain required leak monitoring data at the site where a 12,000 gallon gasoline tank and a 12,000 gallon diesel fuel tank were located.

DTC’s facility at 1 S. Monroe St., Wilmington
DTC allegedly failed to conduct line leak detection and failed to maintain required leak monitoring data at the site where two 10,000 gallon diesel fuel tanks, and two 2,000 gallon tanks storing new and used motor oil were located.

In addition to the penalty, the settlement includes an agreement to complete a “supplemental environmental project” to upgrade the monitoring system to detect leaks of USTs at DelDOT’s North District Maintenance Yard, in Newark, Del., and DTC’s facilities in Georgetown and Wilmington, Del. This $10,540 project will further reduce the threat of underground fuel leaks through centralized monitoring of these USTs at DelDOT’s 24-hour Transportation Management Center in Smyrna, Del.

Millions of gallons of gasoline, oil, and other petroleum products are stored in USTs throughout the United States. Leaking tanks are potentially a major source of soil and groundwater contamination. EPA and state UST regulations are designed to reduce the risk of underground leaks and promptly detect and address leaks which do occur. These regulations help minimize environmental harm and avoiding the costs of major cleanups.

As part of the settlement, DelDOT and DTC have neither admitted nor denied liability for violating UST regulations. The agencies have certified their compliance with applicable UST regulations at the facilities where the alleged violations occurred.

For more information on EPA’s Underground Storage Tank program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/swerust1/.