ADEQ'S Sampling Program for Testing Used Oil

ADEQ conducts a used oil sampling program for testing used oil. One of the primary reasons for this testing program is to protect air quality. The emissions from burning of on-specification used oil are cleaner than those from burning off-specification used oil and, are considered to be environmentally safe and no threat to public health.

In light of this, the sampling program focuses on the used oil producers/suppliers and burners. This ensures that used oil processors/marketers supply used oil burners with only on-specification used oil (refer to used oil specifications), and that used oil burners burn only on-specification used oil.

• For a discussion of on-specification and off-specification used oil, refer to Used Oil Specifications.
• For a discussion of generators, processors, marketers, transporters and burners, refer to Who Handles Used Oil?

Used oil generators are not sampled because the emphasis of the sampling program is on the on-specification used oil producers and users. On occasion, however, the department will sample transporters to monitor the quality of used oil being collected from used oil generators.

Requirements for Tanks Storing Used Oil

All regulated handlers of used oil are subject to the following minimum requirements for the tanks in which they store used oil:

• Tanks must be designed for, or capable of, storing used oil safely.
• Tanks must be in good condition with no severe rusting, apparent structural defects or deterioration.
• Tanks must not be leaking (no visible leaks).
• Tanks (and fill pipes to underground tanks) must be labeled with the words "Used Oil."
• Tanks must be free of visible leaks.
• Upon detection of a release of used oil to the environment, the tank owner/operator must stop the release, contain the released used oil, clean up and properly manage the released used oil and other materials used for the cleanup, and repair or replace the defective tank/tank component(s).
  • To determine if a party is a regulated handler of used oil handler, refer to Who Handles Used Oil?
  • For information on how to properly manage the released used oil, see Petroleum Contaminated Soils.

In addition to the above requirements, the following requirements also apply:

• Used oil marketers and burners are required to label all tanks for storing on-specification used oil with the words "On-Specification Used Oil."
• Used oil transporters, processors, marketers, and off-specification used oil burners are required to have secondary containment with the capacity to contain 110 percent of the volume of the largest tank in the containment area. (While secondary containment is not required for on-specification used oil burner tanks, it is recommended.)
  • For an explanation of marketers, burners, transporters, and processors, see Who Handles Used Oil?
  • For a discussion of on-specification and off-specification used oil, refer to Used Oil Specifications.

Marketer's Certification

A marketer who sells used oil to a used oil burner is required to provide the burner with a certification attesting that the used oil being sold is on-specification used oil (refer to used oil specifications). A used oil burner who, in good faith, relies on a marketer's certification, is not criminally liable for burning off-specification used oil that the marketer has certified as on-specification.

• o For a discussion of on-specification and off-specification used oil, refer to Used Oil Specifications.

Periodic Reporting Requirements for Used Oil Handlers

Used oil transporters, processors, marketers, and burners are required to submit periodic written reports to the department about their used oil activities. All information about client names and related identifying data, which is required to be submitted to ADEQ, is treated as confidential. Forms for reporting used oil activities are available from the department. An alternative report form is allowed, so long as all the required information is included.

Used oil transporters, processors, and marketers are required to submit quarterly reports for each calendar quarter. These reports are due 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter to which the reports apply.

Used oil burners are required to submit annual reports for each year. These reports are due on February 1 following the end of the calendar year to which the reports apply.

To receive a used oil report form contact the Used Oil Program Coordinator, or download a form:

• Used oil transporter's quarterly report form
• Used oil processor's quarterly report form
• Used oil marketer's quarterly report form
• Used oil burner's quarterly report form

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