Registered underground fuel tanks — the #1 source of soil contamination in residential areas.
Total Sites
737K
ArcGIS Online UST Finder
Search Radius
0.6 mi
Per-parcel proximity read
Agency
EPA
ArcGIS Online UST Finder
About This Database
- Formal Name
- Underground Storage Tanks
- Program
- ArcGIS Online UST Finder
- Maintaining Agency
- EPA
- Sites Tracked
- 737,077
What This Means for Growers
Underground storage tanks are the single most common source of soil contamination near homes and gardens. Petroleum hydrocarbons (including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes — collectively BTEX) leak from corroded tanks and form subsurface plumes that migrate through soil and groundwater. LLNL plume studies show these plumes typically self-limit at approximately 800 ft from the source.
The good news: raised beds with clean imported soil are highly effective at eliminating the root-contact pathway for UST contamination. The primary concern is groundwater contamination affecting well water used for irrigation.
Crop Risk Assessment
Root crops
Carrots, potatoes, and beets in native soil near leaking USTs face direct contact with petroleum hydrocarbons.
Leafy greens
Surface soil contamination can affect leafy crops, but risk decreases rapidly with distance from the source.
Fruiting crops
BTEX compounds have low plant translocation factors to above-ground fruit.
Tree fruits
Minimal risk — deep roots may encounter plumes but translocation to fruit is negligible.
Know Before You Grow — Mitigation Steps
- 1.Use raised beds with imported soil — this eliminates the primary soil-contact pathway.
- 2.Check tank status: closed and remediated tanks pose significantly lower risk than active leaking tanks.
- 3.If using a private well for irrigation, test for BTEX compounds and MTBE.
- 4.Avoid planting root crops in native soil within 800 ft of a known leaking UST.
- 5.Municipal water is safe for irrigation — petroleum contamination does not affect treated water supplies.
Top States for Underground Storage Tanks
| State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 61,246 | 0.23 |
| Florida | 38,399 | 0.72 |
| New York | 33,632 | 0.71 |
| Wisconsin | 32,666 | 0.60 |
| Pennsylvania | 32,436 | 0.72 |
| North Carolina | 28,735 | 0.59 |
| Illinois | 28,231 | 0.51 |
| Michigan | 27,779 | 0.49 |
| Georgia | 24,572 | 0.43 |
| Ohio | 24,541 | 0.60 |
| Virginia | 24,515 | 0.62 |
| New Jersey | 23,152 | 3.15 |
| Tennessee | 19,059 | 0.46 |
| Indiana | 17,731 | 0.49 |
| Kentucky | 16,761 | 0.42 |
| Washington | 16,413 | 0.25 |
| Louisiana | 16,287 | 0.38 |
| Alabama | 15,921 | 0.31 |
| South Carolina | 15,287 | 0.51 |
| Missouri | 14,548 | 0.21 |
Top Counties for Underground Storage Tanks
| County | State | Sites | Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harris | TX | 8,129 | 4.76 |
| Cook | IL | 7,555 | 8.00 |
| Maricopa | AZ | 4,858 | 0.53 |
| Dallas | TX | 4,625 | 5.30 |
| Wayne | MI | 4,052 | 6.62 |
| Queens | NY | 4,005 | 36.84 |
| King | WA | 3,922 | 1.85 |
| Tarrant | TX | 3,456 | 3.99 |
| Miami-Dade | FL | 3,455 | 1.82 |
| Kings | NY | 3,261 | 47.00 |
| Los Angeles | CA | 3,149 | 0.78 |
| Milwaukee | WI | 2,930 | 12.13 |
| Bexar | TX | 2,795 | 2.25 |
| Cuyahoga | OH | 2,782 | 6.08 |
| Hillsborough | FL | 2,768 | 2.71 |
| Capitol | CT | 2,711 | 2.64 |
| Broward | FL | 2,524 | 2.10 |
| Bergen | NJ | 2,492 | 10.70 |
| Palm Beach | FL | 2,360 | 1.20 |
| Orange | FL | 2,319 | 2.57 |
Check Your Address for Underground Storage Tanks
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