Red Tag Program

Under this program, if the CT DEEP Commissioner determines that one or more of the following violations exist at a UST system, he may place a notice on or disable the system and require the tank contents to be pumped out until the violations are corrected:

• There is a release from a UST;
• Design, construction, installation and operation of UST system is not in accordance with the requirements of Section 22a-449o of the Connecticut General Statutes (CGS) or Sections 22a-449(d)-101 through 22a-449(d)-114 of the Regulations of CT State Agencies and
• Failure to have or operate proper leak detection, overfill or spill protection measures

Deliveries to a "red tagged" UST are prohibited. Within two business days of red tagging a system, the CT DEEP Commissioner must provide the owner or operator of the system with an opportunity for a hearing. Please notify the Office of Adjudications at DEEP.Adjudications@ct.gov if you do not wish to have a hearing to dispute the alleged violations which prompted the disabling device. If you do not notify the Office of Adjudications and do not attend the hearing, you will be deemed to have waived your right to a hearing and the provisions of Section 22a-449(g)(1) are immediately enforceable against you.

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. Please contact DEEP Office of Diversity and Equity at (860) 418-5910 or by email at deep.accommodations@ct.gov, if you are requesting a communication aid or service, have limited proficiency in English, need some other type of accommodation, or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. 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.

A red tagged UST may not be put back into service until the violations have been corrected to the satisfaction of the CT DEEP Commissioner. If within 24 hours after notifying the CT DEEP Commissioner that the violations have been corrected, the DEEP has not removed the red tags, the owner or operator may put the system back in operation, if they notify and submit an affidavit to the CT DEEP Commissioner indicating that all violations were corrected, and the steps that were taken to achieve compliance.

Content Last Updated August 2025