Annual Compliance Testing (Clean Water Regulations)

Cactus employs proven technologies to provide tank, line and leak detector services for our customers.

Most facilities require initial and then periodic tank testing services. Many insurers require, sites with automatic tank testing equipment to perform precision tank tests on a periodic basis. Cactus testing equipment has been certified, as required, by a qualified third party to meet the regulatory standards of .1gph

Most sites require an initial and then an annual line and leak detector test. This service is generally performed as part of the annual Stage II testing activity to reduce the cost of the testing service, since both tests are required annually. Historically, line testing is critical because, product delivery lines are the most likely component of the fuel system to have a product release. Our testing equipment used for performing the line tests is third party certified as required by the EPA and Texas Regulations. Our leak detector testing equipment is constructed and calibrated as required by EPA and Texas Regulations.

Most sites require an initial and then an annual line and leak detector test. This service is generally performed as part of the annual Stage II testing activity to reduce the cost of the testing service, since both tests are required annually. Historically, line testing is critical because, product delivery lines are the most likely component of the fuel system to have a product release. Our testing equipment used for performing the line tests is third party certified as required by the EPA and Texas Regulations. Our leak detector testing equipment is constructed and calibrated as required by EPA and Texas Regulations.

Cactus has specialized in providing Stage I testing services to meet the needs of Houston and surrounding non-attainment areas. Stage I systems minimize the amount of hydrocarbon vapors that are emitted into the atmosphere at fueling facilities. In most cases, two prescribed tests are performed when the Stage I system is installed and then again each year on the anniversary of the last test. A Pressure Decay test and a P/V Vent test. Customers depend on Cactus not only for quality testing services, but also for assistance in resolving Stage I installation and operating compliance issues.

Commencing January 1, 2021, regulations require that two annual inspections be performed at each fueling location. The two inspections include:

ATG Inspection - A thorough review of the tank monitor programming and the inspection of each of the components connected to the monitor which includes the interstitial sensor on double wall tanks, the tank probes that read fuel levels installed in each tank and any sump sensors that are installed in the Submersible Sumps and the Dispenser Sumps. Sites installed after January 1, 2009 require more time and more sensor inspections. The sensors are normally installed in the Submersible Sumps and in the Dispenser sumps. This information is compiled on a prescribed TCEQ form.

Spill Bucket and Sump Inspection – This inspection requires a review of each dispenser sump, each Submersible sump and each Spill Bucket to review for hydrocarbon leaks and to report them on a prescribed TCEQ form.

Our clients affirm that our field and testing experience and our understanding of the regulations is invaluable in assisting them in these areas.

ATG Repair, Reprogramming and Repair

Over the years, Cactus has developed the skills to expertly and competitively repair tank monitors and to repair both the circuits and tank probes, tank sensors and other ATG components that might have been damaged due to age, electrical hits and other issues. We warranty most of the components that we sell for the same term as the manufacturer for new components.

Locating and Eliminating Water Ingress Issues

Cactus often receives calls when there is excessive rain in our area. Water somehow finds its way in the fuel tanks. Most often the water enters the tank from either the fill port, the Stage I, the tank probe port or the Submersible pump. Water entering a tank with Gasoline containing ethanol can eventually cause the ethanol to separate from suspension in the gasoline and cause a separation where the ethanol drops to the bottom of the tank and the customer receives mostly ethanol when the vehicle tank is filled. If the vehicle is not equipped to run on pure ethanol, the vehicle will not run properly and the fueling location will end up paying to refurbish the fuel system and other components of each vehicle. Whether the ATG warns or not when this condition occurs depends on the software level of the tank probes and the ATG.

*Three Year Compliance Testing:

There are three Compliance Tests that are needed on a three year interval:

Test Spill Buckets – These tests are required by regulation to insure that the excess fuel trapped in a spill bucket on a fuel drop does not leak into the tank pit area through cracks in the spill containment bucket.

Test Containment Sumps – In fuel systems installed after January 1 2009 through the present must be tested to be sure that they are containing any fuel that might be present and not allowing to drain into the backfill area. There are multiple methods to perform this procedure and most of them involve installing Schrader valves to seal off the double wall piping to stop the water flow into the interstitial space in the piping and filling the sumps with water above the piping and electrical penetrations, measuring the level of the water initiated. After a prescribed period of time the level is measured again. If there is less than a 1/8” change, the sump is declared tight. The water must be removed and disposed of properly which means that it has to hauled off by a licensed hauler. It generally costs about the same as pumping water out of a fuel tank and disposing of it properly. There are some alternative methods that can be applied which could reduce the cost of this service. Call Cactus and we will be pleased to discuss them with you.

Test Overfill Equipment – There are either 1 or 2 components involved in this test and it must be done on each tank that has a fill port:

Ball Float and Drop Tube – The ball float is removed from the Stage I riser and measured to assure that is the correct distance into the tank to stop the flow and is further inspected to assure that the ball float is functioning and that the cage and the ball are in good condition. Then the Drop Tube is measured to assure that it is less than 6” from the bottom of the tank. If the ball float is damaged under current regulations, the ball float can not be replaced and a flapper drop tube must be installed.

Flapper Drop Tube – The flapper drop tube limits fuel to be dropped in the tank when the fuel reaches between 90 and 95% of the tank capacity. This inspection involves removing the drop tube and measuring the flapper valve setting to assure less than 95% and measuring to assure that the drop tube is less than 6” from the bottom of the tank. Some of the drop tubes can be modified by buying sections of the drop tube and in some cases a new drop tube must be installed to meet the requirements.