If you decide to close your UST permanently and leave it in the ground, you may which action?

If you decide to close your UST permanently and leave it in the ground, you may which action?

• A. Remove it
• B. Fill it with sand
• C. Fill with concrete
• D. Leave it as is

Answer: (B)

When you permanently close an underground storage tank in place, you must secure the tank by removing any liquids and then filling the void with an inert material. This prevents the tank from collapsing and reduces pathways for contaminants to move through the soil. Filling with sand is a common inert fill because it compactly fills the space, remains stable, and is non-reactive with residuals. While other inert fills like concrete can also be used in some cases, the scenario identifies filling with sand as the appropriate action to effectively isolate the tank in the ground. Leaving the tank as is would leave a potential contamination and structural risk, so closing in place with an inert fill is the safer, regulated approach.

When you permanently close an underground storage tank in place, you must secure the tank by removing any liquids and then filling the void with an inert material. This prevents the tank from collapsing and reduces pathways for contaminants to move through the soil. Filling with sand is a common inert fill because it compactly fills the space, remains stable, and is non-reactive with residuals. While other inert fills like concrete can also be used in some cases, the scenario identifies filling with sand as the appropriate action to effectively isolate the tank in the ground. Leaving the tank as is would leave a potential contamination and structural risk, so closing in place with an inert fill is the safer, regulated approach.