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Nearly Half of Underground Storage Tanks in Arkansas Still Below Standards

Release Date: 6/2/1999
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that only about 20 percent of the underground storage tanks at facilities inspected by EPA and the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) in January and February met current standards designed to prevent leaks. This was the first inspection sweep in Arkansas since the new standards for underground storage tanks became effective Dec. 22, 1998.

     "Because they are buried out of sight, it is easy to forget the threat posed by underground storage tanks. It takes only one gallon of gasoline to ruin five million gallons of drinking water. Water contaminated by petroleum products is difficult and expensive to clean. Leaks from substandard tanks are the leading cause of ground water contamination. So you can understand why is it important to every family that tank owners ensure that their underground storage tanks meet EPA standards," Regional Administrator Gregg Cooke said.

     In January and February, EPA worked with the ADEQ to inspect tanks at 39 facilities. Thirty-three citations totaling more than $26,000 in penalties and one administrative order with a proposed penalty of more than $30,000 were issued for violations found during the inspections.

     Inspectors were particularly concerned about one facility's failure to report and to investigate suspected leaks. Most citations were for failure to conduct adequate leak detection, which has been required since Dec. 22, 1993.

     Regulations adopted Dec. 22, 1988, require that underground storage tanks have spill and overfill prevention devices and corrosion protection systems for any metal parts. Tanks installed after that date must meet these requirements. Owners were given 10 years, until Dec. 22, 1998, to upgrade or properly close tanks that had been installed before the new standards were adopted.

     Since these standards were adopted 10 years ago, they have greatly reduced the threat to human health and the environment posed  by underground storage tanks. More than 1.2 million substandard tanks have been taken out of service, eliminating potential leaks.

     Nationwide, about three-fourths of the buried tanks met the Dec. 22, 1998, deadline. Slightly more than half of the underground storage tanks in Arkansas comply with the standards and the state has increased inspections to boost that rate.

     Arkansas lawmakers recently approved a tag system for closing substandard tanks. It allows state inspectors to red-tag substandard tanks. Distributors who deliver to a tagged tank face the same fine as the tank owner. EPA expects this program to increase compliance dramatically.

     A list of facilities inspected during January and February by EPA and ADEQ follows. Some citations were issued for improper record-keeping because accurate records are the only way to document compliance with the leak-detection requirements.

Penalties and violations assessed at the following facilities:

Al's Conoco, 402 Union, Dardanelle
$750 for failure to conduct annual test on tanks and piping & inadequate line-leak detector system

Ever-So-Fast, Hwy 7 S., Dardanelle
$950 for failure to timely meet all tank upgrade standards & inadequate inventory control

Pepper Pan Food Mart #2, Second & Union, Dardanelle
$950 for failure to meet tank standards & inadequate inventory control to detect leaks

JR Foodmart #195, 1067 N. Washington, Forrest City
$150 for inadequate leak detection

Texaco Foodmart, 2335 N Washington, Forrest City
$1,500 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Quick Mart #23, 1221 Washington, Forrest City
$600 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Bruce's 66, 5700 Rogers, Fort Smith
$1,650 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Family Shop #10, 1549 North Greenwood, Fort Smith
$900 for no corrosion protection on piping

JR Food Mart #47, 1301 a Waldon Road, Fort Smith
$900 for failure to install corrosion protection on piping

North "O" Texaco, 3620 North O, Fort Smith
$600 for no corrosion protection on piping

Simmons Eastside 66, 6401 Rogers, Fort Smith
$150 for failure to monitor corrosion protection system to ensure proper operation

Kountry Jct. #125, 11160 Hwy 65 & Hwy 25, Greenbrier
$300 for inadequate operation of groundwater monitoring to detect leaks

Coxco Petroleum , 1530 Albert Pike Blvd., Hot Springs
$300 for no line leak detector

In & Out, 14008 Arch St Pike, Little Rock
$300 for inadequate leak detection

KOC Foodmart #772, 10423 Chicot Road, Little Rock
$1,050 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

BP Speedy Mart #504, 1021 Center, Lonoke
$900 for inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Crackerbox #25, Hwy 365 & I-40, Mayflower
$50 for inadequate operation of inventory control to detect leaks

Jams Citgo, 355 Hwy 95, Morrilton
$450 for inadequate leak detection for tanks and piping

Double Quick #1, 1504 Jacksonville Hwy., N. Little Rock
$1,650 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Double Quick #2, 3800 Camp Robinson Road, N. Little Rock
$1,650 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Rocky's One Stop #2, 5514 Fairfax, N. Little Rock
$1,650 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Don's Texaco, 2002 S. Eight St., Rogers
$50 for inadequate inventory control to detect leaks

E-Z Mart #291, 1011 East Main, Russellville
$900 for inadequate corrosion protection of metal piping

Tyson Foods, Inc, Springdale
$450 for no evidence of a leak detection system and no corrosion protection tests of one tank

Caroline's One Stop, 2400 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren
$150 for failure monitor corrosion protection system to ensure proper operation

Kum & Go, 2720 Alma Hwy., Van Buren
$1,500 for inadequate leak detection & inadequate corrosion protection on piping

Total #2894, UDS #4554, 1902 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren
$30,086 for failure to investigate suspected leak (part of a Compliance Order)

Violations found during inspections of three facilities owned by Troutman Oil were included in an Administrative Order totaling $309,315. The order addressed repetitive and ongoing violations at ten facilities. The inspected facilities and the penalties assessed for violations are:
Troutman Oil Bulk Plant, 18134 AR Hwy 5, Austin -- $30,465 for inadequate leak detection Express Mart #2, 18134 AR Hwy 5, Austin -- $11,388 for inadequate leak detection Pony Express #7, 5500 West 12th St, Little Rock -- $60,147 for inadequate leak detection and failure to upgrade tanks to current standards.

EPA is reviewing the appropriate enforcement action for violations found during an inspection of   Delta Express #3059 at 305 Industrial Blvd. in Conway.

No violations were found during inspections of the following facilities:

Total #4007, Hwys 64 & I-40, Conway
Arkansas Western Gas Co, 1811 E. Borick, Fayetteville
Fast Trak #9, 1500 S. School St., Fayetteville
Jerry's Conoco, 23408 N. College, Fayetteville
Crackerbox #24, 1024 Airport Road, Hot Springs
Rainbow Food Mart #102, Hwy 270, Jones Mill
C.A.P. #9, 15500 Arch St., Little Rock