American Samoa Underground Storage Tank (UST)

What is a UST?

An underground storage tank (UST) system is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank containing at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. The federal UST regulations apply only to UST systems storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

AS-EPA UST program addresses UST systems: Design, Construction, Installation, Notification, and Permits. UST General operating Requirements, Release Detection, Financial Responsibility, UST out of service and Closure, and Enforcement actions. AS-EPA Hazmat Branch administers and conducted Underground Storage Tank (UST) inspection for the territory of American Samoa.

Underground Storage Tank (UST) Facilities
A & T Service Station
P.O.Box 656
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Contact Info: 699-0674/ 699-0675
Village: Nu’uuli
Nu'uuli Way Service Station
P.O.Box 1138
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Contact Info: 699-1105/ 258-0993
Village: Nu’uuli
Pavaia'i Country Service Station
P.O.Box 3204
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Contact Info: 699-6447
Village: Pavaia'i

Permanent Closure - (In Process)

Taumafai Incorporated aka Seaport Service Station
P.O. Box 3278
Satala Village
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

- In a process to undergo Permanent Closure if facility reached 12 months since Temporarily Closure.
May 01, 2019 Issue a Permanent Closure letter to Taumafai Incorporated Service Station

Permanent Closure - 2015

Industrial Gases Service Station (Formerly Seaside Service Station)
P.O. Box 1215
Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799

Site assessment Conducted / Soil Sample conducted by Pacific Energy Southwest Pacific Ltd. (February 2015) and tested by Test America Lab / Removed UST (September 2015) / Contaminated soil treatment (monitor by AS-EPA) / Sampling of Contaminated soil and No Further Action (may 2017)

UST Regulations

American Samoa EPA adopted 40 CFR 280, the federal Regulations. See below for federal and local regulations. The summary of these regulations and operating practices is available on USEPA website for more information’s.

  • 40 CFR 280 / or US EPA Website
  • ASAC Title 24 Chapter 07 Storage Tank


On July 15 2015, EPA changes establish federal requirements that are similar to key points of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. In addition, EPA added the new operator training & secondary containment requirements and the new operation and maintenance requirements.



NEW OPERATOR TRAINING AND SECONDARY CONTAINMENT REQUIREMENTS


Adding operator training requirements (by October 13, 2018)

  • Owners must designate and ensure 3 classes of operator are trained
  • Recordkeeping is required for as long as operator is designated at the facility
  • Retraining is required for Class A and B operators at facilities determined to be out of compliance


- See link to Access UST Operator Exam (https://www.epa.gov/ust/class-a-and-class-b-ust-operator)

Secondary Containment (after April 11, 2016)

  • Applies to new and replaced tanks and piping
  • Included interstitial monitoring (and sumps if they are used for interstitial monitoring)
  • Included under-dispenser containment for new dispenser systems


- See Link for more Information (https://www.epa.gov/ust/secondary-containment-and-under-dispenser-containment-2015-requirements)


NEW OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS


Periodic Walkthrough Inspections (beginning October 13, 2018)

  • Every 30 Days (Check spill prevention equipment & Check release detection equipment and records
  • Annually (Check containment sumps & Check hand held release detection equipment


- See link for more information (https://www.epa.gov/ust/secondary-containment-and-under-dispenser-containment-2015-requirements)

Overfill prevention equipment

  • Inspect the overfill prevention if operational
  • Beginning October 13, 2018 owners and operator must have their overfill prevention equipment inspected for proper operation at least once every three years
  • Keep records for at least 3 years


- See Link for more Information (https://www.epa.gov/ust/operating-and-maintaining-ust-systems-2015-requirements#overfill)



UST Standards Form

AS-EPA UST Permanent Closure Report Form



Enforcement Action-Stop Fuel Delivery

A.S.A.C Title 24 Chapter 7 Storage Tank (American Samoa EPA exercising its Fuel Delivery Authorization and Red Tag Authority under the following regulation)


ASAC 24.0780(3)(f)(3)

“No person shall deliver petroleum to an underground storage tank without verification that the underground storage tank meets the requirements of Section 24.0710 or 24.071.”


Fuel Delivery Authorization (Sample Letter)
Red Tag Authority (Sample Letter)



Significant Operational Compliance (S0C) Data


AS-EPA UST Inspectors

Ignosy Toeava, Env. Specialist III
Email: ignosy.toeava[@]epa.as.gov
Alma Seu, Env. Specialist II
Email: alma.seu[@]epa.as.gov
Sikione Sikione, Env. Technician
Email: sikione.sikione[@]epa.as.gov

Cell: 684-733-2473
Office: 684-633-2304