Sec. 26.13.05.09. Use and Management of Containers

A. Applicability. This regulation applies to owners and operators of all hazardous waste facilities that store containers of hazardous waste, except as Regulation .01, of this chapter, otherwise provides.

B. Condition of Containers. If a container holding hazardous waste is not in good condition, or if it begins to leak, the owner or operator shall transfer the hazardous waste from this container to a container that is in good condition, or manage the waste in some other way that complies with the requirements of this chapter.

C. Compatibility of Waste with Container. The owner or operator shall use a container made of or lined with materials which do not react with, and are otherwise compatible with, the hazardous waste to be stored, so that the ability of the container to contain the waste is not impaired.

D. Management of Containers. A container holding hazardous waste shall always be closed during storage, except when it is necessary to add or remove waste, and the container may not be opened, handled, or stored in a manner which may rupture the container or cause it to leak.

E. Inspections. The owner or operator shall inspect areas where containers are stored, at least weekly, looking for leaks and for deterioration of containers and the containment system caused by corrosion or other factors.

F. Special Requirements for Ignitable or Reactive Waste. Containers holding ignitable or reactive waste shall be located at least 15 meters (50 feet) from the facility's property line.

G. Special Requirements for Incompatible Wastes.

(1) Incompatible wastes, or incompatible wastes and materials, (see Regulation .24 of this chapter, for examples) may not be placed in the same container, unless Regulation .02H(2), of this chapter, is complied with.

(2) Hazardous waste may not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material (see Regulation .24 for examples).

(3) A storage container holding a hazardous waste that is incompatible with any waste or other materials stored nearby in other containers, piles, open tanks, or surface impoundments shall be separated from the other materials or protected from them by means of a dike, berm, wall, or other device.

H. Containment.

(1) Container storage areas shall have a containment system that is capable of collecting and holding spills, leaks, and precipitation. The containment system shall:

(a) Have a base underlying the containers which is free of cracks or gaps and is sufficiently impervious to contain leaks, spills, and accumulated rainfall until the collected material is detected and removed;

(b) Be designed for efficient drainage so that standing liquid does not remain on the base longer than 1 hour after a leakage or precipitation event unless the containers are elevated, or in some other manner are protected from contact with accumulated liquids; and

(c) Have sufficient capacity to contain 10 percent of the volume of containers or the volume of the largest container, whichever is greater.

(2) Run-on into the containment system shall be prevented, unless the Secretary waives this requirement in the permit after determining that the collection system has sufficient excess capacity in addition to that required in §H(1)(c), of this regulation, to accommodate any run-on which might enter the system.

(3) Spilled or leaked waste and accumulated precipitation shall be removed from the sump or collection area in as timely a manner as is necessary to prevent overflow of the collection system.

(4) Storage areas that store containers holding only wastes that do not contain free liquids need not have a containment system as described in §H(1), of this regulation, except as provided by §H(5), of this regulation, or provided that:

(a) The storage area is sloped or is otherwise designed and operated to drain and remove liquid resulting from precipitation; or

(b) The containers are elevated or are otherwise protected from contact with accumulated liquid.

(5) Storage areas that store containers holding the wastes F020, F021, F022, F023, F026, and F027 that do not contain free liquids shall have a containment system defined by §H(1) of this regulation.

I. Closure. At closure, all hazardous waste and hazardous waste residues shall be removed from the containment system. Remaining containers, liners, bases, and soil containing or contaminated with hazardous waste or hazardous waste residues shall be decontaminated or removed according to closure plans which are to remain on-site for Departmental review.