Idaho Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST)

Idaho's leaking tank program is the LUST program of the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). DEQ says the program provides oversight of petroleum releases from state-regulated underground storage tanks. It names three rules that guide the oversight and cleanup: Idaho's Water Quality Standards (IDAPA 58.01.02.851 and 852), the Rules Regulating Underground Storage Tank Systems (IDAPA 58.01.07.200), and the Standards and Procedures for Application of Risk-Based Corrective Action at Petroleum Release Sites (IDAPA 58.01.24).

In a Phase I ESA

LUST records are the Idaho form of the state leaking storage tank records that ASTM E1527-21 lists as a standard source. The general reading of a leaking tank listing is on the LUST page. What is particular to Idaho is how far the rules reach and how a case can end.

• The rules reach past regulated tanks. DEQ says these rules also apply to petroleum releases from unregulated tanks. It also says the current property owner is responsible for cleaning up leaks from a residential heating oil tank under IDAPA 58.01.02 and 58.01.24. The pages read do not say whether those releases appear in the same database, so ask DEQ when the tank in question was not a regulated one.
• The owner or operator reports and investigates. DEQ says owners and operators must report suspected releases and investigate them to determine if a confirmed release requires cleanup. A suspected release is reported within 24 hours. Within 24 hours of confirming a release, or another period DEQ sets, the owner or operator must report it to DEQ, act to prevent further release, and identify and mitigate fire, explosion and vapor hazards. DEQ publishes a UST Release Reporting form.
• The responsible party evaluates the site. Once a release is confirmed, the responsible party must continue to evaluate the site to determine the extent of contamination and whether remediation is necessary. DEQ says that decision is guided by IDAPA 58.01.24 and its Idaho Risk Evaluation Manual for Petroleum Releases. See Risk Evaluation.
• A case can end with limits on the land. DEQ says that, depending on site conditions, the remediation measures at a petroleum release site may include activity and use limitations put in place through an environmental covenant. When a case is closed, check whether a covenant was recorded. See environmental covenants.
• Vapor is on DEQ's list of concerns. DEQ says vapors from petroleum releases can be a health and safety concern within buildings and around construction workers.

The pages read do not describe what the database shows for a case or define any status words. Ask the program what a status means.

Where to look a site up

• DEQ's LUST page links its Underground and Leaking Underground Storage Tank Database.
• DEQ's Facility Mapper page links a map tool that has a Leaking underground storage tank (LUST) program category. DEQ says older sites with small incidental releases, and sites that lack sufficient location information, may not be included in the Facility Mapper.
• DEQ's LUST page lists staff contacts for the program. The DEQ State Office is at (208) 373-0502.

Getting the file

The listing tells you a case exists. The reports and letters are in the case file. DEQ takes requests under the Idaho Public Records Act through its Public Records Request page, which carries buttons to submit a request online, track its status and search the request archives.

Sources

Idaho Department of Environmental Quality pages, read October 1, 2026:

• Leaking Underground Storage Tanks in Idaho, last modified January 8, 2026.
• Underground Storage Tank Rules and Regulations, last modified September 8, 2026.
• Regulated Underground Storage Tanks, last modified August 6, 2026.
• Facility Mapper, last modified January 8, 2026.
• Environmental Covenant, last modified January 7, 2026.
• Public Records Request, last modified August 18, 2026.
• Regional Offices, last modified August 6, 2026.