Underground Storage Tank (UST) Registrations

Do I need a UST Registration?

The Louisiana Administrative Code Title 33 Part XI Chapter 3 requires tank owners/operators of existing and newly installed UST systems to register the systems with the Department. An Underground Storage Tank System consists of an underground storage tank, connected underground piping, underground ancillary equipment, and a containment system where the tank stores a regulated substance. Details of the UST system must be submitted on LDEQ 's registration form that can be downloaded from our website. New forms are required within 30 days for newly installed Underground Storage Tanks.  Updated forms are required when changes or updates are made to existing UST systems. Also if the UST facility changes ownership, an updated registration form reflecting the change is required.

Registration Contact

To Submit updated Registrations via Email: USTRegistrations@la.gov 
To Submit updated Registrations by mail:
LDEQ UST Division
PO Box 4303
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4303
Amy Smith or Jennifer Bounds
UST Registration Contacts
602 North 5th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Amy.Smith@la.gov; 225-219-3702

Did
You
Know?

All UST fees can be paid using LDEQ online E-business portal.
UST  required fees are:
  • UST annual registration fees
  • UST Registration Fees when installing new tanks
  • UST Facility changes ownership fees

UST Online Fee Payments Info

E-business Tutorial

Fee Payment Instructions

UST Registration FAQs

A UST or underground storage tank is defined as any one or combination of tanks (including underground pipes connected thereto) that are used to contain an accumulation of "regulated substances," and the volume of which (including connected underground piping) is 10% or more beneath the surface of the ground. The term underground storage tank does not refer to any of the following tanks nor does it refer to any pipes connected to any of these tanks:
 
  • farm or residential USTs (1,100-gallon capacity or less) storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes
  • USTs storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored
  • septic tanks
  • pipeline facilities (including gathering lines) regulated under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, or Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, or which is an intrastate facility regulated by the state
  • surface impoundments, pits, ponds, or lagoons
  • storm-water or wastewater collection systems
  • flow-through process tanks
  • liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operations
  • tanks situated in an underground area (such as basement, cellar, mineworking, drift, shaft, or tunnel), if the tanks are situated upon or above the surface of the floor
The following UST systems are excluded from the requirements of the regulations that apply to underground storage tank systems:
 
  • any UST system holding hazardous wastes listed or identified in the DEQ’s Hazardous Waste Regulations, or a mixture of such waste and other regulated substances
  • any tank that is part of a wastewater treatment facility regulated under Section 402 or 307(b) of the Clean Water Act
  • equipment or machinery containing regulated substances for operational purposes such as hydraulic lift tanks and electrical equipment tanks
  • any UST system with a capacity of 110 gallons or less
  • any UST system that has never contained more than a de minimis concentration of regulated substances
  • any emergency spill or overflow containment UST system that is expeditiously emptied after use
  • wastewater treatment tanks systems
  • any UST system storing radioactive materials regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et. seq)
  • any UST system that is part of an emergency generator system at nuclear power generation facilities regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under 10 CFR 50, Appendix A
  • airport hydrant fuel distribution systems
  • UST systems with field-constructed tanks
  • any UST System that stores fuel solely for use by emergency power generators are exempt from release detection requirements (emergency power generator tanks need to be registered and must meet all UST requirements except release detection) if installed prior to 8/20/09. Emergency power generator tanks and piping installed after 12/20/08 and before 8/20/09 are required to be secondarily contained, but are still exempt from release detection. Emergency power generator tanks and piping installed after 8/20/09 are required to be secondarily contained and are required to have interstitial monitoring release detection.
All tanks that fit the definition of a UST must be registered with the DEQ's UST Division, unless:
  • the UST was filled with a solid inert material before January 1, 1974
  • the UST was removed from the ground prior to May 8, 1986
All owners of new and existing UST systems are required to register his/her system with the LDEQ. It is also the responsibility of the owner of the system to maintain current and accurate information with the Department. Maintaining current and accurate information with the department includes notifying the department of changes in ownership or of changes in the UST system descriptions resulting from system upgrades. Any owner who knowingly fails to register or submits false information shall be subject to a civil penalty. An owner is defined as the following: 
                         
  • the current owner of the land under which the tank is or was buried
  • any legal owner of the tank
  • any known operator of the tank
  • any lessee
  • any lessor

At least thirty (30) days before bringing the tanks into use, the owner must register the system with the LDEQ by submitting the completed UST Registration Form (UST-REG-01). The completed registration form must be submitted within 60 days of introducing product into the tank. A Certificate of Underground Storage Tank Registration will not be submitted until a completed registration form is received by the Department and fees are paid. 

All existing UST systems previously registered with the DEQ shall be considered to be in compliance with the registration requirements if the information on file with the DEQ is current and accurate. Therefore, an amended registration must be filed within 30 days for the following:
  • change in ownership and/or facility information, including name and address changes 
  • change in status of the UST system; i.e., temporary closure
  • change-in-service; i.e., change in tank contents
  • additional or replacement tanks have been installed
  • when the UST system has been upgraded, after any equipment changes, or after a change of the release detection method
  • when errors or omissions have been discovered in previously provided information
  •  Any person who sells a UST system is required to notify the DEQ in writing within 30 days after the date of the transaction. The notice should include a bill of sale and the new owner's name, contact person, address and telephone number.
  • Any person who acquires a UST system shall submit a registration form (UST-REG) within 30 days of the acquisition.
  • A current copy of the registration forms (UST-REG) must be kept on-site or at the nearest staffed facility.
  • No owner or operator shall accept a regulated substance into a new UST system that has not been registered.
Yes, there are fees associated with registering a UST system. The standard fee for all registered UST systems is $60 per tank; however, additional charges may apply for certain types of stored substances and also certain facility types.
Fees must be submitted to the DEQ upon the submission of a new registration. Payment shall be made by check, draft, or money order payable to the Department of Environmental Quality and mailed to the Department's address provided on the invoice.
 
Annually thereafter, the site UST Billing Party will receive an itemized invoice for applicable fees for the State of Louisiana's fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). All fees must be paid regardless of whether the tanks will be installed, are out of service, or are permanently/temporarily closed during the fiscal year. 
Yes, a 5 percent late payment fee will be assessed for all payments not received within fifteen (15) days of the due date. An additional 5 percent late payment fee will be applied at thirty and sixty days past the due date. Failure to pay the prescribed fees within ninety (90) days constitutes a violation of UST regulations and shall subject the person responsible person to enforcement actions.

No, aboveground storage tanks are regulated by the Louisiana State Fire Marshall’s Office (http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/ or 1-800-256-5452).

Aboveground storage tanks are regulated by LDEQ Water Quality Regulations under LAC 33:IX.Chapter 9. Spill Prevention Control if over 660 gallon capacity.

UST Registration Resources*

Find more detailed information about UST Registrations requirements and associated UST Fees,

Resources

More Resources

* These documents are considered archived documents and not ADA compliant, but the information is current and valid. 

LDEQ Secretary Courtney J. Burdette
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