Department of
Environmental Quality

Storage tanks are used to store petroleum or certain other hazardous liquids. Idaho has about 3,500 regulated underground storage tanks (USTs); there are approximately 595,000 nationwide. Leaking USTs can pose a serious environmental threat if the stored petroleum or other hazardous substance seeps into the soil and contaminates ground water, which is the source of most of Idaho's drinking water. 

Underground Storage Tanks in Idaho

DEQ is the state agency delegated responsibility by EPA to operate the UST program in Idaho. Learn about the requirements of state rules regulating USTs and how to find out if your property contains an UST here.

Leaking Underground Storage Tanks in Idaho

A leaking underground storage tank (LUST) is any underground storage tank (UST) that is leaking.  The law requires owners and operators of USTs to prevent, detect, and clean up releases and prohibits installation of unprotected steel tanks and piping. Learn more.

UST - LUST Sites

If you own or plan to buy or sell property that you suspect may contain an Underground Storage Tank (UST), it is important to find out. DEQ maintains a database of active and closed UST sites across the state and may have information on the property you are looking to buy or sell. Learn more.

Home Heating Oil Tanks in Idaho

Thousands of homes in Idaho are heated with heating oil stored in underground tanks on the owner’s property and thousands more have old heating oil tanks that are no longer used buried on the property.  Many of these unused tanks still contain heating oil.  While heating oil tanks are not federally regulated under UST regulations, a leaking tank can harm the environment and may be subject to state cleanup requirements. Learn more.

Above Ground Storage Tanks

Above ground storage tanks (ASTs) are tanks that are used to store petroleum products, hazardous waste, or other hazardous materials above ground. ASTs in Idaho are regulated by EPA, under the federal Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. Although DEQ does not regulate ASTs in Idaho, state rules require that the agency be notified within 24 hours of the time of release if an AST has a release to the environment. Local fire districts, cities, and counties may have additional AST ordinances or best management practices.