Prior to performing any repairs to a UST system, the owner/operator must ______.

• A. Obtain the appropriate permit and arrange for inspections through the building official
• B. Notify the DEQ by email
• C. Hire a third-party inspector not affiliated
• D. Shut down power to the building

Answer: (A)

Before repairing an underground storage tank system, work must be reviewed and authorized by the local authority having jurisdiction to ensure safety, environmental, and building-code compliance. Obtaining the appropriate permit and arranging inspections through the building official ensures the repair plan is approved, the materials and methods are code-compliant, and any required tests or leak-prevention measures are verified by a qualified inspector. This formal process protects human health and the environment by making sure installations and repairs meet established standards. Notifying the DEQ by email isn’t the pre-approval step, and hiring an unaffiliated third-party inspector or shutting down building power don’t address the permitting and inspection requirements that formally authorize the work.