Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services: Abandon Underground Storage Tanks -

Petroleum and Tanks

Environmental and Regulatory Services

PECFA and Storage Tanks:
201 W. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703

Media Contact Only:
Greg Gasper
(608) 266-6795
Greg.Gasper@wi.gov

Office of Governor
Scott Walker

Abandon Underground Storage Tanks

An "Abandon Tank" is an underground petroleum or chemical storage tank that has not been properly closed by either removal or closure-in-place. Closure-in-place is only authorized in specific situations. The web page of the previous link contains considerable information regarding your options and a link to tank removal contractors.

Some tanks may have been removed, but the responsible party failed to adequately notify the department of the closure. More tank specific information may be obtained from the storage tank database. Tanks on the abandon tank list with a capacity of "1111" were registered, but the person registering the tank failed to enter the tank capacity which then defaults to 1111.

How do you get your property off this list if the tank has been removed?
Complete the shaded areas of the Tank Registration form for each tank and submit to the address on the form along with a letter explaining how the tank was removed. Note: The majority of these tanks were initially registered during the period 1986 - 1988. If, as the current owner of the property, you have no knowledge of an existing underground storage tank, you are still responsible for removing the tank should one still exist, and/or clearing up the discrepancy in the state database. If you have questions contact the permit staff person listed on the tank program state staff web page.

What are indications that I might have an underground fuel tank on my property?

Vent and / or product fill pipe that rise from below grade. The vent pipe is typically located against or within a few feet of the building wall. The product line is typically located directly above the tank, which may be up to six feet from the building. The product fill pipe will typically have a screw-on cap or a flip cap. The vent will have a vent cover with openings at the bottom of the cap for tank breathing or two 90 degree elbows.

Vent & product pipe from UST

Copper pipe that extends through the floor or a wall, or a patch in the floor or wall may indicate that an underground fuel oil tank exists or did exist at one time. However, copper tubing from an outside aboveground tank may have also been routed through the foundation wall, but typically not at a depth that is below the outside grade. Most residential tanks will have only one copper line entering the building, but commercial buildings with larger furnaces may have a line to bring fuel oil to the furnace and a by-pass line taking unused fuel oil back to the tank.

Vent & product pipe from UST