Underground Storage Tanks

The Underground Storage Tanks (UST) Section is responsible for the regulation of underground storage tank systems used for the storage of regulated substances, primarily petroleum products. Staff in the section work with the owners of sites on the detection, prevention and correction of releases of products from underground tanks.

The section also reviews whether owners and operators can meet financial responsibility requirements to ensure they are able to clean up releases of product. New tank systems must meet minimum design and construction standards and older tank systems must be upgraded to meet these new standards. Investigation and remediation of contamination are based on Iowa’s risk-based corrective action rules and model. All regulated tank systems must be registered with the state.

• UST Program - Staff Contact Information and Other Resources
• 24 Hour Environmental Reporting Hotline (Spill reporting) and Field Office Contact Information

External Contact Information:

• Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST): State Fire Marshal Division
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
  • EPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks
  • EPA Technology Transfer
  • EPA Region 7
  • EPA Emergency Response Outreach Brochure
• Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC)
• National Workgroups on Leak Detection Evaluations (NWGLDE)
• State Hygienic Lab (SHL): Certification for UST

DNR Contact
Keith Wilken
515-681-0794
Keith.Wilken@dnr.iowa.gov

Storage Tanks Database Web Application

This application is a joint venture between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Public Safety State Fire Marshal Office (SFM). It presents in one application all the storage tanks in Iowa containing regulated substances, primarily petroleum products. These consist of Underground Storage Tanks (UST), Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST), and Aboveground Storage Tanks (AST). This site is for public viewing and does not require a login.

The UST are the underground storage of regulated substances, primarily petroleum products. The LUST indicates the report or cleanup of a release of petroleum product. The AST are primarily the aboveground storage of combustible or flammable products.

The database provides information about the UST site location, the site owners, tanks, Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA), site classification and remediation. View the current status of underground storage tank and leaking underground storage tank sites.

Storage Tanks Database Web Application Help Document will assist in the navigation of the database.

Web-Based Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) Application

The Iowa DNR UST Section web-based application will be used for new and revised Tier 2 Site Cleanup Reports, and Site Monitoring Reports.This does not apply to non-granular bedrock and granular bedrock sites. Please review the FAQ document posted below prior to using the new application for RBCA purposes.  

Introduction to Risk Based Corrective Action (RBCA) Application

RBCA Application - Adding Water Lines and New Receptors

FAQ – RBCA Application – October 24, 2017

Supplemental Guidance to assist in completing RBCA evaluations

• Tier 1 Guidance Document
• Tier 2 Guidance Document
• Tier 2 Report Form - The pages for the Tier 2 Report which are not printed from the software are now fillable PDF forms.
  
  • Tier 2 Report Form (542-0166) |
  • Tier 2 Signature Page (542-0723) |
  • Field Screening Results Form (542-0531) |
  • SMR Signature Page and Checklist (542-0762) |

Delivery Prohibition to UST Sites that Have Not Been Issued Annual Tank Management Tags Memo

Annual tank tags may not have been issued due to non-payment of the tank management fee, temporary closure, lack of current pollution liability insurance, no trained Class A/B operator or an outstanding violation. Red tags are attached to the fill port to prohibit fuel delivery due to outstanding violations.

Please read the above letter and review the fuel prohibition site list. Remember, if you deliver to an underground storage tank that does not have a current yearly tag or is red tagged, you are subject to enforcement action and fines.

Check the delivery prohibition list often as it will change as sites come into compliance. Be sure to remind your drivers to check for a current tags or a red fuel delivery prohibition tag. Do not deliver fuel simply because they are a regular customer, claim they have the tag or that the red tag was lifted even though the site is still on the fuel prohibition list.

Fuel Delivery Prohibition List

Temporarily Closed List

• UST Flood Emergency Policy & Guidance
• UST Flood Emergency Policy & Guidance

The DNR is in the process of adopting state regulations in response to changes in federal UST requirements. A number of significant changes will be made, including these new requirements:

• Testing of secondary containment & overfill prevention equipment every three years
• Annual inspection of leak detection equipment
• 30-day and annual walk-through inspections

The EPA has indicated the first cycle of the three-year testing must be completed by October 13, 2021, for those facilities subject to testing, regardless of when the proposed state rules become effective. The DNR is not currently requiring this testing for existing systems, but we are providing this notice so owners can plan for testing once state regulations are finalized. Please check the DNR UST/LUST Regulations tab on our webpage for draft rule documents and further updates.

542-0398 30 Day Walk-through Inspection Form
542-0398 30 Day Walk-through Inspection Form

The Iowa DNR UST Section is pleased to announce leaking underground storage tank (LUST) and underground storage tank (UST) records are available for viewing electronically. 

Document Search Web Application which is a web interface connecting to OpenText. The search interface allows easy searches by a variety of meta data such as program, city, county, or facility name.

Program: LUST or UST
Facility ID: Registration #
Program ID: LUST #

At this time, a small portion of all LUST files and several UST files are available for public viewing, but more will become available as this project progresses. 

The goal of our Electronic Records Project is to index and digitize all records related to LUST and UST facilities and make these available through this web site. However, given there are site files stored in various forms (film, microfiche, paper, electronic), it is expected the project will take some time to complete.

If you cannot find records for a LUST or UST site property, please submit a Request or contact DNR Records Center at dnr.records.request@dnr.iowa.gov.