La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § V-1913

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024

Section V-1913 - Response to Leaks or Spills and Disposition of Leaking or Unfit-for-Use Tank Systems

A tank system or secondary containment system from which there has been a leak or spill, or that is unfit for use, must be removed from service immediately, and the owner or operator must satisfy the following requirements.

A. Cessation of Use; Prevent Flow or Addition of Wastes. The owner or operator must immediately stop the flow of hazardous waste into the tank system or secondary containment system and inspect the system to determine the cause of the release.

B. Removal of Waste from Tank System or Secondary Containment System

1. If the release was from the tank system, the owner/operator must, within 24 hours after detection of the leak or, if the owner/operator demonstrates that it is not possible, at the earliest practicable time, remove as much of the waste as is necessary to prevent further release of hazardous waste to the environment and to allow inspection and repair of the tank system to be performed.

2. If the material released was to a secondary containment system all released material must be removed within 24 hours or in as timely a manner as is possible to prevent harm to human health and the environment.

C. Containment of Visible Releases to the Environment. The owner/operator must immediately conduct a visual inspection of the release and, based upon that inspection:

1. prevent further migration of the leak or spill to soils or surface water; and

2. remove, and properly dispose of, any visible contamination of the soil or surface water.

D. Notifications, Reports (LAC 33:V.105.A)

1. Any release to the environment, except as provided in LAC 33:V.1913.D.2, must be reported to the Office of Environmental Compliance in accordance with LAC 33:I.3923 within 24 hours of its detection. If the release has been reported in accordance with LAC 33:V.105.J, that report will satisfy this requirement.

2. A leak or spill of hazardous waste is exempted from this Subsection if it is:

a. less than or equal to a quantity of one pound; and

b. immediately contained and cleaned-up.

3. Within 30 days of detection of a release to the environment, a report containing the following information must be submitted to SPOC:

a. likely route of migration of the release;

b. characteristics of the surrounding soil (soil composition, geology, hydrogeology, climate);

c. results of any monitoring or sampling conducted in connection with the release (if available). If sampling or monitoring data relating to the release are not available within 30 days, these data must be submitted to the administrative authority as soon as they become available;

d. proximity to downgradient drinking water, surface water, and population areas; and

e. description of response actions taken or planned.

E. Provision of Secondary Containment, Repair or Closure

1. Unless the owner/operator satisfies the requirements of LAC 33:V.1913.E.2-3 the tank system must be closed in accordance with LAC 33:V.1915.

2. If the cause of the release was a spill that has not damaged the integrity of the system, the owner/operator may return the system to service as soon as the released waste is removed and repairs, if necessary, are made.

3. If the cause of the release was a leak from the primary tank system into the secondary containment system, the system must be repaired prior to returning the tank system to service.

4. If the source of the release was a leak to the environment from a component of a tank system without secondary containment, the owner/operator must provide the component of the system from which the leak occurred with secondary containment that satisfies the requirements of LAC 33:V.1907 before it can be returned to service, unless the source of the leak is an aboveground portion of a tank system that can be inspected visually. If the source is an aboveground component that can be inspected visually, the component must be repaired and may be returned to service without secondary containment as long as the requirements of LAC 33:V.1913.F are satisfied. If a component is replaced to comply with the requirements of this Subparagraph, that component must satisfy the requirements for new tank systems or components in LAC 33:V.1905 and 1907. Additionally, if a leak has occurred in any portion of a tank system component that is not readily accessible for visual inspection (e.g., the bottom of an inground or onground tank), the entire component must be provided with secondary containment in accordance with LAC 33:V.1907 prior to being returned to use.

F. Certification of Major Repairs. If the owner/operator has repaired a tank system in accordance with Subsection E of this Section and the repair has been extensive (e.g., installation of an internal liner; repair of a ruptured primary containment or secondary containment vessel), the tank system must not be returned to service unless the owner/operator has obtained a certification by an independent, qualified professional engineer in accordance with LAC 33:V.513 that the repaired system is capable of handling hazardous wastes without release for the intended life of the system. This certification must be placed in the operating record and maintained until closure of the facility.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § V-1913

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of Solid and Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Waste Division, LR 13:651 (November 1987), LR 16:614 (July 1990), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:2475 (November 2000), LR 30:1673 (August 2004), amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Affairs Division, LR 31:2457 (October 2005), LR 33:2107 (October 2007), LR 34:996 (June 2008).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2180 et seq.

[NOTE: The administrative authority may, on the basis of any information received that there is or has been a release of hazardous waste or hazardous constituents into the environment, issue an order requiring corrective action or such other response as is deemed necessary to protect human health or the environment.]