5 Environmental Compliance Tips for Industrial Tank Owners

Environmental compliance isn’t anyone’s favorite part of tank ownership. But if you’re storing hazardous materials, hazardous consequences come with the territory. And regulators? They don’t miss a beat.

These five environmental compliance tips for industrial tank owners are designed to keep an operation clean, legal, and blessedly uninteresting to your nearest EPA rep.

1. Secondary Containment Isn’t Optional

If a tank is storing anything more caustic than chamomile tea, a secondary containment is necessary. EPA regulations require that tanks have a backup in case the primary one fails. That means double-walled tanks or external barriers that hold up to 110 percent of the tank’s volume.

When a containment setup resembles a kiddie pool and duct tape, it’s time to rethink your strategy. State and local requirements may differ, so check with your Department of Environmental Quality or equivalent agency.

2. Know Your Linings

The difference between a compliant tank and an environmental time bomb comes down to what’s on the inside. When comparing tank liners versus tank coatings, make sure you understand what the stored substance demands. Some coatings degrade under chemical exposure or temperature shifts; others aren’t legal for certain storage uses.

You don’t want to find out the liner wasn’t up to code after it had already leaked into the groundwater. Review product compatibility and look for options that are EPA- or NSF-approved.

3. Leak Detection: Required, Not Optional

This one’s aimed at anyone still relying on good instincts and a nose for diesel. Underground storage tanks (USTs) are required by federal law to have leak detection systems. Think interstitial monitoring for double-walled tanks, vapor sensors, or statistical inventory reconciliation.

Above-ground tanks need detection systems, too, especially if they store hazardous liquids or are situated near water sources. For specifics, consult 40 CFR Part 280 or your state’s UST program.

4. Don’t Skip the Backup Systems

You might think a single alarm is enough until it fails. That’s why regulations emphasize the hidden risks of overlooking safety redundancies. Overfill alarms, automatic shutoff valves, and secondary pressure relief systems are not there for decoration.

OSHA and EPA guidelines reference the importance of layered protection. Having only one failsafe is like skydiving with one parachute and a prayer.

5. Control Stormwater (Before It Controls You)

Industrial tanks exposed to rain can quickly turn a site into chemical soup. The Clean Water Act mandates stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs), particularly for facilities with tanks storing oil, fuels, or corrosives.

Install spill protection, proper grading, and covers where needed. If you’re up in Sandpoint, Idaho, you already know the weather isn’t your friend, so plan accordingly.

Label Everything Like a Maniac

Here’s one final gem in our lineup of five environmental compliance tips for industrial tank owners: label everything. Valves, pumps and access ports, or anything that moves fluid. If it moves fluid, it needs a label.

You might know what’s what today, but what about the new hire next week? Or the inspector next month? Labels save time, prevent errors, and make you look like you’ve got it all under control, even if you don’t.