Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)

NEW UST Regulations – The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Regulations, RCSA sections 22a-449(d)-1 and 22a-449(d)-101 to 22a-449(d)-114, inclusive, identify the performance standards for owners and operators of state regulated and federally regulated UST systems. The updated UST regulations modernize and update the UST regulations by adding clarity, consistency, and flexibility. These updates are consistent with current technologies and eliminate outdated standards.

NEW Release Detection Requirements

Any state or federally regulated USTs installed on or after August 5, 2025, must be double-walled and use continuous interstitial monitoring of the inner and outer walls with a technology such as inert gas, liquid or a vacuum (e.g. brine system).

Double-walled USTs installed before October 1, 2003, have two years (May 7, 2027) to upgrade release detection to continuously monitor the interstitial space between the walls (dry space) or use continuous interstitial monitoring of the inner and outer walls with a technology such as inert gas, liquid or a vacuum (e.g. brine system).

NEW Life Expectancy for Federally Regulated USTs (RCSA sections 22a-449(d)-101 to 22a-449(d)-114, inclusive)

 

Planning a UST Removal?

Please use the fillable form, Notification of Scheduled Permanent Closure of USTs and send to DEEP.30DayUST@ct.gov.

Reminder:  Notice is required 30 days PRIOR to removal.

Review DEEP Fact Sheet on Sampling and Analytical Methods for Underground Storage Tank Closure prior to removal of the USTs.

Also please be aware that Notification using EZFile is still required no later than 30 days after removal of the UST is complete.

 

Note: The owner of a UST Facility, where a UST System was last used by a prior owner or operator, may request an exception to the use of ezFile for notification of UST closure provided that all the following terms and conditions are met: 

Eligibility Criteria

The UST System must:

  1. have been used for the storage of heating oil for on-site consumption only;
  2. not have been used to power an emergency generator;
  3. have been permanently closed by a prior owner or operator; and
  4. have been removed from the ground or permanently closed in-place in accordance with R.C.S.A 22a-449(d)-1(j).

If the eligibility criteria has been met, please complete and submit the Heating Oil UST Reporting Exemption Request Form and attach any supporting documentation that demonstrates the UST System was permanently closed.

Alternate Life Expectancy for Certain Underground Storage Tanks

As of the effective date of the UST Regulations, May 7, 2025, UST owners and operators of state and federally regulated UST Systems are not eligible to notify for coverage under the Alternate Life Expectancy.  

Those UST owners and operators, who submitted Alternate Life Expectancy notices before May 7, 2025, can utilize such extension of life expectancy until the 10 years run or the UST system no longer meets the conditions of such notice.

Note: For the USTs currently operating under an Alternate Life Expectancy notice, regulatory references in that notice, to the UST regulations, are to those UST regulations that were effective prior to May 7, 2025. 

Life Expectancy Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

Paperless Forms are Required with DEEP's ezFile!

ezFile

(https://www.ct.gov/deep/ezFile)

Need help with ezFile? Click here: List of Companies and Individuals Providing EZFile Services

First Time Users:

  • Set up User Accounts with usernames and passwords
    (Creating your ezFile Acct Tutorial) for

    • Owner/Operator

    • Subscribers

    • Class A and Class B Operators

    • Tank Installers.

  • Create a Subscriber Agreement (SA) electronically in ezFile. (SA Tutorial)

  • Print Subscriber Agreement (SA).

  • Get "wet" signatures on Subscriber Agreement. (Owner/Operator and any Subscribers)

  • Mail Subscriber Agreement to DEEP and wait for email approval.

  • Complete your Notifications and have them ready to file beginning August 1st.

Returning Users:

  • Log into ezFile with your username and password.

  • Select approved facility filings and renew, making any required changes.

  • Create new filings for facilities not previously submitted through ezFile.

  • Submit Notification and Fee Payment between August 1st and October 10th.

For questions or assistance regarding ezFile, please contact the Licensing and Enforcement Unit at 860-424-3374 or e-mail deep.USTEnforcement@ct.gov

Public Act No. 15-1 requires all communication with the DEEP to be electronic.  An exception must be granted by DEEP for any paper notification.  This exception must be requested by completing the Hardship Request form, DEEP-UST-Paper Filing-Hardship Request Form.

UST Notification, Compliance and Release Prevention

Have a complaint?  Click here:  Complaint Intake System  If your complaint is an environmental emergency, call DEEP's Emergency Response Unit 24 hours a day at 866-DEP-SPIL (866-337-7745) or 860-424-3338.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are seeking a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint, or require some other accommodation, including equipment to facilitate virtual participation, please contact the DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at 860-418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov.  Any person needing an accommodation for hearing impairment may call the State of Connecticut relay number - 711.  In order to facilitate efforts to provide an accommodation, please request all accommodations as soon as possible following notice of any agency hearing, meeting, program or event.

Content last updated May 2025