In the United States, there are over 500,000 active underground storage tanks (USTs) that store petroleum or hazardous substances, and about 62,000 leaking UST sites that need cleaning up today. The greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is the contamination for ground water, which serves as the source of drinking water for nearly half the population in the United States. Given the proximity of these leaking USTs to water supplies, it is important for small drinking water systems to understand where the leaking UST sites are to protect the water supply and to understand the water demands in proximity to the leaking underground storage tanks. This is especially needed where ground water wells are located on the property for the tank facilities. EPA developed the first national database and application (UST Finder ) on underground storage tanks, a user-friendly tool that provides the needed geospatial data for these tank facilities and source water protection areas.
Presented by Fran Kremer and Alexander Hall, EPA’s Office of Research and Development
About the Presenters:
Fran Kremer serves as a Senior Scientist in the Office of Research and Development’s Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response. Fran works with Agency Program Offices, Regions and States and public/private partnerships to further research and its implementation in managing contaminant sources to protect water resources.
Alex Hall is a Geographer in EPA’s Office of Research and Development, Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response. He is responsible for the data analytics and the development of geographic information system tools in addressing source contaminants and impacts on water quality. His work included the development of a national database and web mapping application for storage tanks and private domestic wells and the development of tools to prevent contamination of source waters to protect public and private water supplies.
Note: A certificate of attendance will be offered for this webinar
Who Should Attend?
State primacy agencies, Tribes, community planners, technical assistance providers, academia, and water systems interested in issues facing community water systems and solutions to help solve them.