Safeguarding the Groundwater: Enroll TCEQ-Approved UST Training
Posted:
Wednesday, January 11th, 2012
Category:
Environmental, Industrial Skills
Nearly half of the contiguous United States today gets its drinking water from groundwater, the water that that has soaked into the soil and bedrock, accumulating underground in the spaces between rocks and soil particles. It is a critically important natural resource, but its viability is fragile and is under threat.
Over 590,000 underground storage tanks (USTs) containing petroleum or other toxic substances are buried all over the United States today, thanks to its number 1 user, the ubiquitous gas station. Unfortunately, each UST lies in close proximity to groundwater and for that is a grave threat to health and environment if it leaked into the groundwater.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a leak from an improperly operated or maintained UST can easily contaminate a community’s groundwater and poison it. In addition, the agency has cautioned that even if the leak did not contaminate the groundwater, it is still an environmental hazard because it can cause a fire or an explosion.
Texas, given its long-time and extensive association with petrochemicals (its petroleum industry refines 4.6 million barrels of oil a day) and their hazards, is taking decisive steps to mitigate the danger.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is now requiring UST operators and owners in the Lone Star State to undergo mandatory approved underground storage tank operator training—such as 360training.com’s TPCA Class A and Class B UST Facility Operator Training Course—effective September 1, 2012.
The course is the first TCEQ-approved online underground storage tank training and is the product of a collaboration between 360training.com and two partners, Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association and TAIT Environmental. It teaches the proper operation and maintenance of USTs as recommended by state and EPA regulations, so operators will know how to detect and prevent tank releases of diesel, gasoline, and other petroleum products into the environment. The course also educates the student on all the state and federal regulations relevant to the safe operation of USTs.
