SHOULD I HAVE MY UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK (UST) FILLED WITH SAND?

NO! Why Not?

1. The Environmental Liability is still present.
Residual fuel in and around the UST will migrate with rain water either to the surface, into a basement or on to a neighbor’s property. We know this because we remove ½ dozen USTs annually that were previously filled with sand because they have either leaked into someone’s basement or the residual oil comes to the surface and spreads all over the lawn.

2. The homeowner will still have a UST on the property.
When someone sells a house they must complete and sign a Real Estate Disclosure Form. One of the questions on the form is: “Is there an Underground Storage Tank (UST) on the property?” If one has a UST filled with sand on their property they are legally obligated to answer “Yes” to this question.

3. Not a Permanent UST Closure Method.
The only acceptable “Permanent UST Closure Method” acceptable by the IL State Fire Marshal is Removal of the UST.