California Environmental Reporting System (CERS)

When should you make a submittal in CERS to report repairs or a new UST?

Answer: All UST Installations and Modifications

Title 23, section 2642(g) requires the UST Certification of Installation/Modification element to be submitted to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) within 30 days of a construction inspection. This submittal is required for all UST installations and modifications of items defined as “underground storage tank”, which includes the tank, piping and the associated secondary containments.

New USTs

A UST becomes regulated under Title 23, chapter 16 once storage of hazardous substances begins, therefore there is no legal requirement for a business to report the tank and monitoring information to the CERS prior to that event. However, the end of construction and associated testing tends to be an extremely busy time for both the owner and regulator, so we encourage the UST owner/operator to begin this process as soon as possible. The UPA may require the business to electronically report to CERS any Facility Information, Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement and UST submittal elements as a condition to authorize the introduction of hazardous materials into the new UST. Some UPAs begin the UST CERS process as a condition of the construction permit, but this can only be required through a local ordinance.

Contact your local UPA for more information. To locate your UPA use the CalEPA Unified Program Directory.

Repairs and Modifications to Existing Underground Storage Tanks

Permits are generally required from the UPA for a repair or modification to an existing UST. Any changes to your UST system must be reported to CERS by making a new UST submittal once the changes have been made. Your UPA may require that this information be reported prior to placing the tank system back into service. Contact your UPA for specifics.