Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST)
A UST that has confirmed or suspected releases of petroleum or hazardous substances into the environment.
A leaking underground storage tank (LUST) is an underground storage tank system that has a confirmed or suspected release of petroleum products or hazardous substances into the surrounding soil, groundwater, or surface water. LUST sites represent one of the most common sources of groundwater contamination in the United States.
When a leak is discovered, the UST owner or operator must report the release to the appropriate state or local regulatory agency. The responsible party is then required to investigate the extent of contamination and undertake corrective action to remediate the site. This process can take years or even decades depending on the severity of contamination.
The EPA's LUST Trust Fund provides money for the EPA and states to clean up LUST sites where the owner or operator is unknown, unwilling, or unable to respond. There are over 510,000 confirmed LUST releases in the national database, with tens of thousands still classified as 'open' and requiring ongoing remediation efforts.
Related Terms
A tank and connected piping with at least 10% of volume underground, used for storing petroleum or hazardous substances.
LUST ReleaseA documented incident where petroleum or hazardous substances have escaped from an underground storage tank system.
RemediationThe process of cleaning up contaminated soil, groundwater, or other environmental media at a LUST or hazardous waste site.
Groundwater ContaminationThe pollution of underground water sources by petroleum products or hazardous substances from leaking USTs or other sources.