지하유류저장 탱크의 관리강화 방안

Abstract

This study aims to assess whether the risk of soil and groundwater contamination is mitigated by the current Oil UST management in Korea, and suggests some improvement measures for the UST management, if necessary. Current regulations and programs relevant through the whole life cycle of the UST, such as construction, installation, operation, and disclosure in Korea were reviewed. Also, regulation of the UST systems in advanced countries, such as the United States and European nations, were evaluated. The objective of this study is the petroleum manufacturing and storage facilities among the 'Primary Soil Contamination Facilities', which is mainly gas stations. The USTs of gas stations are regulated basically by the 'Fire Protection Act', in which they are classified into the category of the 'hazardous material manufacturers'. In addition, these facilities are placed on the list of the 'Primary Soil Contamination Facility' by the 'Soil Environment Conservation Act' in order to control the soil contamination due to oil release. Regarding the status and problems of the current UST management, following findings were revealed. First, although Korea provides requirements for new USTs concerning corrosion, spill, overfill protection, and leak detection seemingly equivalent to those in the United States and EU member states, the detailed provisions are still at an insufficient level. i) Only installation of the leak detection system, excluding the leak detection monitoring, is required. There is no requirement for the regular tests This study aims to assess whether the risk of soil and groundwater contamination is mitigated by the current Oil UST management in Korea, and suggests some improvement measures for the UST management, if necessary. Current regulations and programs relevant through the whole life cycle of the UST, such as construction, installation, operation, and disclosure in Korea were reviewed. Also, regulation of the UST systems in advanced countries, such as the United States and European nations, were evaluated. The objective of this study is the petroleum manufacturing and storage facilities among the 'Primary Soil Contamination Facilities', which is mainly gas stations. The USTs of gas stations are regulated basically by the 'Fire Protection Act', in which they are classified into the category of the 'hazardous material manufacturers'. In addition, these facilities are placed on the list of the 'Primary Soil Contamination Facility' by the 'Soil Environment Conservation Act' in order to control the soil contamination due to oil release. Regarding the status and problems of the current UST management, following findings were revealed. First, although Korea provides requirements for new USTs concerning corrosion, spill, overfill protection, and leak detection seemingly equivalent to those in the United States and EU member states, the detailed provisions are still at an insufficient level. i) Only installation of the leak detection system, excluding the leak detection monitoring, is required. There is no requirement for the regular tests Secondly, to reinforce programs for supervising the tank construction and installation, a program ensuring the tank quality should be provided either by reinforcing the current inspection called a tank safety test, or by introducing a new inspection. In addition, training and certification requirements for all personnel involved in the UST system installation activities, or qualified oversight, should be introduced to avoid a poorly conducted UST system installation. Third, to prepare a system in which gas stations can manage contamination caused by the USTs - the contents of the voluntary agreement signed by the Ministry of Environment and oil refinery companies need to be more specific, and supervision process to check the companies' compliance with the agreement should be established. Meanwhile, a program allowing independent gas stations to properly manage the USTs should be introduced. Fourth, miscellaneous things, such as effective division of responsibility and cooperation of regulatory agencies, education of UST owners and operators, construction of data on UST facilities, also should be implemented.