• UST Technical Regulation
• What to Expect During an UST Formal Inspection – This document explains how UST facility inspections work and reviews the tank owner’s responsibilities.
• Equipment Testing Schedule – Track equipment testing due dates for your facility.
• UST Facility Compliance Calendar – DEQ developed this calendar to help gasoline tank owners plan their compliance responsibilities for each month and year.
  • If your facility is subject to Stage II vapor recovery requirements (i.e., has equipment that has not been decommissioned), please use this version of the calendar.
• Responding to Releases from Petroleum Tanks – This fact sheet covers how to recognize, report, and investigate confirmed or suspected releases from UST systems.
• UST Financial Responsibility Regulation
  • Additional information about demonstrating Financial Responsibility for USTs can be found on this webpage under "Financial Responsibility."
• Environmental Protection Agency - Office of Underground Storage Tanks. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a comprehensive website for USTs.  Most of the EPA guidance is also applicable to USTs located in Virginia.

Archived lunch and learn webinars are available here: 

• 2018 UST Requirements Guidance – This document provides regulatory guidance for UST requirements that came into effect on January 1, 2018.
• 2021 UST Requirements Guidance – This document provides regulatory guidance for UST requirements that came into effect on January 1, 2021. 
• 2018/2021 UST Requirements Presentation (Webinar Recording)
• 2018/2021 UST Requirements Presentation (Powerpoint Slides)
• UST System & Biofuels Compatibility Checklist – This checklist may be used by tank owners who store biofuels (greater than 10% ethanol or 20% biodiesel) to demonstrate equipment compatibility with the substance stored.
• EPA Operating and Maintaining UST Systems – EPA's “plain English” description of the updated requirements on its UST page.
  • Please Note: Virginia's regulations took effect on different dates than what is described here, but the requirements are nearly identical. Please contact DEQ with any questions.
• EPA Musts for USTs - This booklet describes almost everything you need to know about legal requirements for owning/operating UST systems.
  • Please Note: Virginia's regulations took effect on different dates than what is described here, but the requirements are nearly identical. Please contact DEQ with any questions.
  • Procedimientos de Cumplimiento de los Tanques Subterráneos de Almacenaje
  • UST के लिए अनिवार्य

 Testing Requirements

• Equipment Testing Schedule – Track equipment testing due dates for your facility.
• Petroleum Equipment Institute's (PEI’s) RP1200: Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities,  2019. This industry standard may be used for testing equipment. 

DEQ now has Virginia specific UST equipment test forms for testing contractors to use to document equipment testing! Although the forms are not mandatory, DEQ strongly encourages the use of the forms to avoid DEQ staff having to contact the tester for additional information.  Please contact DEQ staff if you have any questions about the forms or how to complete them.

Fillable Microsoft Word forms:

• Overfill Prevention Testing Form
• Release Detection Equipment Testing Form
• Spill Prevention Device Testing Form
• Sump Testing Form

Static PDF forms:

• Overfill Prevention Testing Form
• Release Detection Equipment Testing Form
• Spill Prevention Device Testing Form
• Sump Testing Form

Registration/Notification Fact Sheet  - Everything you need to know about UST registration and notification requirements in Virginia.

Online Registration Resources:

File your registration forms online via the myDEQ Portal for a faster experience and to instantly view your tank and facility data at any time. Click here for a Quick Start Guide.

Paper Registration Forms:

• Form 7530-3: Use this form to register new tanks and any changes in the tank system or its status. You can also use this form to register the purchase of a tank facility or individual tanks at a facility. Click here for instructions on how to fill out form. 
• Form 7530-3A: Use this form if you have just sold your UST facility and want to alert DEQ to the sale. This form is not complete and will not be reviewed unless it is accompanied by proof of sale documents. Click here for instructions on how to fill out form.
• Form 7530-3B: Use this form if you own multiple UST facilities and want to change something simple that affects more than one of them. For example, you change your owner name or address. You cannot use this form to notify DEQ of an ownership change. Click here for instructions on how to fill out form.
• Form 7530-3C: Use this simple, one-page form if you are buying ALL of the USTs at a facility. If you are buying some but not all of the USTs at a facility, use Form 7530-3.

• Tank Closure Fact Sheet - Refer to this fact sheet when permanently closing regulated USTs.
• Temporary Tank Closure Fact Sheet - Refer to this fact sheet when temporarily closing regulated USTs.
• Building Permit Certification Form for Temporary Tank Closure

Complete information about the requirements of closure for regulated and unregulated USTs is available on the UST Closure page.

• Responding to Releases from Petroleum Tanks – This fact sheet covers how to recognize, report, and investigate confirmed or suspected releases from UST systems.
• Tank Release Detection Overview – This fact sheet provides a general summary of acceptable tank release detection methods in Virginia.
• Piping Release Detection Overview – This fact sheet provides a general summary of acceptable piping release detection methods in Virginia, as well as recordkeeping requirements.
• Release Detection for Emergency Generator UST Systems – This fact sheet explains how to meet release detection requirements for regulated emergency generator tanks.
• Petroleum Equipment Institute's (PEI’s) RP1200: Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities,  2019. This industry standard may be used for testing equipment.

Method Fact Sheets & Monitoring Logs:

• Automatic Tank Gauging - Fact Sheet
• Groundwater Monitoring - Fact Sheet
• Groundwater Monitoring - Monthly Log
• Interstitial Monitoring - Fact Sheet
• Interstitial Monitoring - Piping Monthly Log
• Interstitial Monitoring - Tank Monthly Log
• Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) - Fact Sheet
• Vapor Monitoring - Fact Sheet
• Vapor Monitoring - Monthly Log
• Vapor Monitoring - UTL Calculation & Release Investigation Workbook (Excel)

• Cathodically Protected USTs – This fact sheet covers the requirements for cathodically protected tanks and piping in Virginia.

• Cathodic Protection Test Form – This form must be used by testers to record cathodic protection testing results.

• Impressed Current Rectifier Log - Tank owners may this form to record the required 60-day rectifier readings for their impressed current system.

• Virginia's Guidelines for UST Cathodic Protection Evaluation - This guidance provides cathodic protection system testers with Virginia's required testing protocols.

• Corrosion Risks in UST Systems Storing Diesel Fuel - This document provides tank owners with ways to prevent and slow internal corrosion in diesel tanks.

• Spill Prevention Fact Sheet
• Overfill Prevention Fact Sheet
• Containment Sump Testing Fact Sheet

• Petroleum Equipment Institute's (PEI’s) RP1200: Testing and Verification of Spill, Overfill, Leak Detection and Secondary Containment Equipment at UST Facilities,  2019. This industry standard may be used for testing equipment.

• Operator Training Fact Sheet – This fact sheet summarizes requirements for operator training in Virginia, including emergency response procedures.
• Definitions of UST Operator Classes - Explains the role of each operator class (A, B, and C) at a UST facility and how to make sure each operator is properly trained and designated.
• UST Operator Class Designation Form - Use this form to clearly designate Class A, B, and C operators for your facility. May also be used to keep Class C annual training records.
• Approved UST Operator Training Providers
• UST Operator Training Program Approval Procedures
• Storage Tank Compliance Manual Volume 3 "UST Inspections"
  • Chapter 14, "Operator Training," covers what UST Inspectors look for when evaluating whether operator training requirements have been met. This chapter starts on page 94.
• Tennessee Tank Helper
  • A free Class A and Class B operator training program which provides certifications that may be used to meet Virginia's requirements. Please note: some requirements/dates presented in Tennessee's training may differ slightly from Virginia's - contact DEQ with any questions.
•  EPA Operator Training Exam
  • Free Class A and Class B operator exams which provide certifications that may be used to meet Virginia's requirements. Please note: some requirements/dates presented in the EPA exam may differ slightly from Virginia's - contact DEQ with any questions.

• DEQ’s Walkthrough Inspection Checklist – This checklist may be used to record monthly and annual walkthrough inspections. The back page includes a diagram and detailed instructions.

• Petroleum Equipment Institute's (PEI’s) RP900: Recommended Practices for the Inspection and Maintenance of UST Systems,  2017. This industry standard may be used for monthly and annual walkthrough inspections.

Virginia requires secondary containment for most underground storage tanks, piping, and dispensers installed on or after September 15, 2010. Tank owners/operators must perform interstitial monitoring for release detection on most double-walled tanks and piping installed on or after September 15, 2010. The following fact sheets describe these requirements:

• Secondary Containment - Fact Sheet
• Interstitial Monitoring - Fact Sheet
• Interstitial Monitoring - Piping Monthly Log
• Interstitial Monitoring - Tank Monthly Log