Standardization News

ASTM International’s environmental assessment, risk management and corrective action committee (E50) has proposed a standard guide for evaluating aging underground storage tanks (USTs) for continued operation.

The standard guide, WK90823, would cover voluntary evaluation of petroleum USTs for continued use after manufacturer’s warranty. The committee is currently seeking participation to determine need for, and scope of, the guide. According to ASTM International member Patrick Rounds, it will be useful for virtually all stakeholders involved with USTs.

“Approximately 40% of all regulated USTs in the United States are over 30 years old,” says Rounds. “Most tank warranties expire at 30 years, so we must ask, are these older tanks still performing as designed? How can they evaluated to determine whether they are?”

The guide would also explore oversight recommendations for owners of tanks past warranty. E50 invites all stakeholders in USTs to contribute their expertise to the development of the standard.

This effort supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6 on clean water and sanitation.