How do I know if my facility is eligible?

To be eligible for TSIP:

• Facility and USTs must be registered with ADEQ
• USTs must be regulated by ADEQ
• You must be the current UST owner, current UST operator, and/or current property owner of the UST facility (If you are not the property owner and ADEQ records do not identify you as the UST owner or operator, you are not eligible)
• The facility has not exhausted the $300,000 TSIP funding limit
  
  

How do I find a registered environmental consultant?

ADEQ has tips for hiring an environmental consultant | View/Download >

How do I find an ADEQ-certified UST service provider?

Visit the UST Service Provider Certification Listing webpage to learn about ADEQ-certified UST service providers and access the searchable database | Visit Page >

Note: Remember to verify the service provider is certified for the work you intend to conduct.

What are my responsibilities as the Applicant?

You are responsible for:

• Confirming that the contractors (environmental consultant and/or UST service provider) have the appropriate qualifications to conduct the work
• Managing the work and ensuring that it meets all regulatory requirements and industry standards
• Submitting all required reports and documentation to ADEQ
• Paying for the work prior to requesting reimbursement
• Setting up an account through Arizona’s online procurement portal. See the application on how to register.
  
  

When can I submit my TSIP application?

• Applications for suspected release confirmation are accepted throughout the fiscal year due to the regulatory deadlines associated with required suspected release reporting.
• Applications other than suspected release confirmation must be submitted during a prioritization period. These types of applications submitted outside of the period will not be processed.
  
  

How do I submit my TSIP application?

ADEQ strongly encourages you to submit your application and all attachments via email to the TSIP email address | Email >

A hard copy of your application is not required if you submit by email. If you are not able to email your application, you can submit paper applications to the following address:

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Attention: UST - TSIP
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

In previous prioritization periods, how many applications were received and how much funding was requested?

During the Sept. 1, 2023 – Sept. 29, 2023, prioritization period, 46 applications and roll-over requests were submitted for a total requested dollar amount of approximately $10.6 million | View/Download TSIP Prioritization Summary >

If my application is not approved for funding, what are my next available steps?

There are two primary reasons for unfunded applications:

1. The application was processed, but the prioritization score did not make the cut-off for available funding.
   ADEQ will send these applicants a letter indicating their application will be eligible to forward (or "roll over") for consideration during the next prioritization period.
2. The application could not be processed due to issues with the submittal.
   ADEQ will send these applicants a letter explaining outstanding clarifications items. ADEQ recommends ensuring that any outstanding issues are addressed prior to submittal if the applicant chooses to submit during a future prioritization period.

What does application “roll-over” mean?

“Roll-over” means your application will be re-evaluated for funding in the next prioritization period without the need for you to re-apply. Applications may be rolled-over a maximum of two following prioritization periods.

Note: Application roll-over does not apply to approved applications that did not complete the work within the required deadline.

Will I receive extra prioritization points if my application rolls over?

No — priority points are awarded based on factors identified in statute such as environmental conditions, tank age, customer size and proximity to sensitive locations (e.g., schools, hospitals, lakes and streams).

Note: Your prioritization score may change from one period to another for a variety of reasons (e.g., your tanks have recently turned 30 years old). Please make sure to include a current report from AZ UST Locator with your roll-over request if you believe your prioritization score needs to be updated.

What improvements has ADEQ made to the application process?

Based on lessons learned and feedback gathered during the last prioritization, ADEQ has:

• Eliminated the requirement that applicants must register in the Arizona Procurement Portal before receiving a funding approval letter
• Clarifying expectations for site plans
• Clarifying certification statements, including splitting certification statements for decommissioning contractors and installation contractors into two
  
  

TSIP operates on monies allocated annually from the UST revolving fund. The high level of demand for the program means there is not enough funding to approve every application submitted.

In general, prioritization scoring is focused on the potential risk to human health and the environment based on the following factors:

• Potential impacts to human health receptors, including schools, childcare centers, and medical facilities
• Age and construction of the UST system
• Site-specific environmental conditions

The factors for prioritization are outlined in statute.1 Learn more about the factors and point distribution | View/Download Prioritization Scoring Matrix >

¹A.R.S. § 49-1071(B) | View in Arizona Revised Statutes >

Yes, you can use the prioritization worksheet to estimate your priority score | Download Prioritization Worksheet >

Use AZ UST Locator to automatically generate the necessary information for your application’s prioritization section. Note: A copy of the AZ UST Locator report must be attached to your application | View AZ UST Locator >

A step-by-step guide showing how to use the AZ UST Locator is located on the right side bar of the AZ UST Locator tool.

AZ UST Locator retrieves information from multiple sources:

• Well data from the Arizona Department of Water Resources
• Human health receptor data (schools, child care, hospitals, medical facilities, long term care, residential facilities and group homes) from the Arizona Department of Health Services
• ADEQ records

If you believe information in AZ UST Locator does not adequately represent known site-specific conditions, and the information you have is different from what is shown, please attach additional documentation, such as:

• Copies of soil boring and/or well logs for the subject facility or an adjacent property
• Location maps with identification of receptors that do not appear on the AZ UST Locator report
  
  

This documentation can be used to update ADEQ’s records, and our reviewers consider this information in the prioritization scoring process.

No — priority points are awarded based on factors identified in statute such as environmental conditions, tank age, company size and proximity to sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, lakes and streams. Submitting your application at the start of the prioritization period may allow more time to respond to clarifications and submit missing information, however, points are not awarded on a first-come-first-served basis. Regardless of timing, we encourage you to ensure your application is complete and accurate before submitting.

Reimbursement may be requested after work is conducted, associated reporting is submitted to ADEQ, and payment is made by the applicant to the contractors who completed the work.

Yes, reimbursement requires that you pay the costs prior to submitting the reimbursement request.

Read some examples of costs that are not eligible for reimbursement | View List >

ADEQ strongly encourages you to submit reimbursement requests and all attachments via email to the TSIP email address | Email >

A hard copy of your reimbursement request is not required if you submit by email. If you are not able to email your request, you may submit paper requests to the following address:

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Attention: UST - TSIP
1110 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

You can sign up for direct deposit by completing the ACH Authorization Form (GAO-618) and submitting it to the Arizona Department of Administration using the instructions at the top of the form | Find Form >

Note: Ensure you submit the ACH Authorization Form to Arizona Department of Administration form prior to submitting your reimbursement request to ADEQ.

Acceptable forms of documentation include copies of canceled checks or bank statements. Documents must identify who paid, who was paid and the payment amount.

Proof of payment documentation must reference the invoice(s) covered by the payment or a summary that links up the proof of payment documentation with the invoices must be provided.

Common problem: The applicant information did not match ADEQ or Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) records.

Solution: Ensure you are using the correct corporate name as the applicant. Also, ensure your facility’s UST Notification Form includes the most current information – you can do this using our online portal | Visit myDEQ >

Common problem: The UST Service Provider information did not match ADEQ or Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) records.

Solution: Ensure you are using the correct corporate name for the UST Service Provider. Information on file with ADEQ may be verified with the UST Service Provider Certification Listing | Visit Page >

Common problem: Certification statements are not signed by the proper individual or, in some cases, at all.

Solution: Ensure the person signing the certification statement qualifies as an authorized individual. They must be an employee of the applying company, not a consultant or contractor.

Common problem: The cost summary did not include adequate cost detail.

Solution: Ensure the cost summary is complete and each task for the category of work has an associated cost (do not provide a lump sum), otherwise the costs will not be eligible for reimbursement.

A complete UST removal site plan must be legible, drawn to scale, and include a diagram of the facility showing all of the following:

• North arrow
• An accurate scale (this will be used to verify proposed sample locations meet regulatory requirements)
• Facility property boundaries
• Adjacent street names
• Locations of current and any known former UST systems, including all tanks, piping, and dispensers
• Locations of any infrastructure/obstructions at the facility to the extent known:
  • Buildings or other structures
  • Utilities, both above and below ground
  • Natural or artificial barriers
  • Canopies
  • ADWR-registered wells
  • Any additional pertinent infrastructure information
• Proposed sample locations — including tanks, piping, and dispenser areas:
  • Ensure sample locations meet requirements described in A.A.C. R18-12-272 | View >
  • ADEQ recommends including proposed sample depths and collection of multi-depth samples

A complete UST replacement site plan must be legible, drawn to scale, and include a diagram of the facility showing all of the following:

• North arrow
• An accurate scale (this will be used to verify proposed sample locations meet regulatory requirements)
• Facility property boundaries
• Adjacent street names
• Locations of current and any known former UST systems, including all tanks, piping, and dispensers
• Locations of any infrastructure/obstructions at the facility to the extent known:
  • Buildings or other structures
  • Utilities, both above and below ground
  • Natural or artificial barriers
  • Canopies
  • ADWR-registered wells
  • Any additional pertinent infrastructure information
• Proposed location of new UST system, including all tanks, product lines/piping, and containment sumps:
  • Tank volume (gallons)
  • Tank dimensions – diameter and length (ft)
  • Number of tank compartments

ADEQ always welcome ideas for process improvements. Please email your suggestions with “Improvement Ideas” in the subject line | Email >

Email questions or requests for assistance or call 602-771-4351 | Email >

If you prefer, we can schedule a meeting to discuss your questions or feedback.