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  • What is a farm for purposes of the SPCC Rule?

    In the December 2006 amendments to the SPCC Rule, EPA defined a farm as "a facility on a tract of land devoted to the production of crops or raising of animals, including fish, which produced and sold, or normally would have produced and sold, 1,000 or more of agricultural products…

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  • Examples of an agent of a Professional Engineer

    Except as provided in 40 CFR §112.6 for qualified facilities, a Professional Engineer (PE) or an agent of the PE must visit and examine the facility before the PE certifies an SPCC Plan (40 CFR §112.3(d)). What are some examples of an agent of a PE? An agent of a…

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  • What is considered bulk oil storage capacity?

    The revised rule recognizes that oil is sometimes stored in bulk and sometimes used operationally. A bulk storage container is any container storing oil at a facility. Bulk oil storage containers may include, but are not limited to tanks, containers, drums, and mobile or portable totes. Operational use includes oil-filled…

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  • Secondary containment for oil-filled operation equipment under SPCC

    On December 26, 2006, EPA provided an optional alternative to the general secondary containment requirements in 40 CFR §112.7(c) for qualified oil-filled operational equipment ( 71 FR 77266 ). Because the alternative is optional, an owner or operator could choose to comply with the existing SPCC requirements to provide general…

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  • Mobile fuel tanker as a facility

    Is a non-transportation related mobile fuel tanker with more than 55 gallons located near a 55 gallon drum storage area considered a facility? Perhaps. "Facility" is defined in Part 112 to mean "any mobile or fixed, onshore or offshore building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, or pipeline (other than a vessel…

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  • Will boiling my water help?

    No. Boiling water will NOT reduce nitrate levels. In fact, it will make the level of nitrate worse because some of the water will evaporate but the nitrate will not. This increases the concentration of nitrate in water.

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  • SPCC requirements for transfer areas associated with exempt USTs

    Gas stations typically are not subject to the SPCC Rule because completely buried storage tanks subject to 40 CFR Part 280 or 281 are exempt per §112.1(d)(4). However, a gas station would be subject to the SPCC Rule if it has more than 1,320 gallons of oil in aggregate above…

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  • Do the changes in the 2006 Amendments apply to oil-filled manufacturing equipment?

    No. The amendment does not change any requirements for oil-filled manufacturing equipment. Oil-filled manufacturing equipment remains subject to the SPCC requirements (including those for containment), but an owner/operator may determine that secondary containment is impracticable and comply with the alternative measures in section 112.7(d).

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  • What is a field-constructed container?

    What are the types of containers or equipment containing oil reservoirs that would be considered field-constructed containers and thus subject to the brittle fracture evaluation of 40 CFR §112.7(i)? As found in the Preamble language provided on page 47112 of the July 17, 2002 SPCC final rule, EPA provides a…

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  • What is an oil spill contingency plan?

    Instead of providing secondary containment for qualified oil-filled operational equipment, an owner or operator may prepare an oil spill contingency plan and a written commitment of manpower, equipment, and materials to quickly control and remove discharged oil. He/she must also have an inspection or monitoring program for the equipment to…

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  • Secondary containment requirements for mobile refuelers

    What secondary containment requirements apply to mobile refuelers? General secondary containment requirements in §112.7(c) still apply to mobile refuelers at SPCC regulated facilities. General secondary containment should be designed to address the most likely discharge from the container and from oil transfers into or from the mobile refueler. The general…

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  • What is oil-filled operational equipment?

    Oil-filled operational equipment is equipment that includes an oil storage container (or multiple containers and associated piping intrinsic to the operation of the equipment) in which the oil is present solely to support the function of the apparatus or the device. It is not considered a bulk storage container, and…

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  • Is it safe to shower or bathe in water if it is over the nitrate MCL of 10 mg/L?

    Nitrate is only a concern for ingestion (eating and drinking). It is not absorbed through your skin. People who install filter systems for nitrate often install them just for their kitchen sink faucet, and they use that faucet for their cooking and drinking water.

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  • What is EPA doing?

    EPA is working with its governmental partners and other stakeholders to investigate and address the issue. Most recently, EPA issued a letter to the state of Minnesota requesting a plan of action to address nitrate contamination in drinking water.

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  • What should I do if my water has elevated nitrates and/or exceeds the MCL?

    If nitrate exceeds the MCL of 10 mg/L, you should find a safe alternative drinking water supply. The quickest thing to do is to begin using bottled water for drinking. Another option is to install a treatment that will remove nitrate from your water such as reverse osmosis or a…

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