SPCC Run-On and Runoff
The purpose of the EPA’s SPCC rule is to prevent oil contamination of navigable waters and adjoining shorelines. Facilities which store or handle large quantities of oil are required to create an SPCC plan whose purpose is to prevent, control, and deal with oil discharges. One way these facilities can unintentionally discharge oil to waterways is with runoff. To prevent this, they can prevent run-on from reaching equipment with the potential for oil discharges, and also prevent oil-containing runoff from leaving the facility. This course describes the containment measures that can be used to accomplish these goals.
Request a demoCourse Details
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Define the terms “run-on,” “runoff,” and “freeboard”
- Explain why it is important to control run-on and runoff at SPCC-regulated facilities
- Describe how the “freeboard” volume can be determined for secondary containment
- Identify devices and strategies that can be used to minimize or control run-on at SPCC-regulated facilities
- Identify devices and strategies that can be used to control or prevent runoff at SPCC-regulated facilities
- Distinguish the difference between “active” and “passive” containment
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | 40 CFR 112 (2016): Oil Pollution Prevention |
Key Questions
What types of facilities are subject to the SPCC rule?
SPCC-regulated facilities are involved in oil-related activities, have an aggregate oil storage capacity exceeding 1,320 gallons aboveground or 42,000 gallons underground, and have the “reasonable expectation of an oil discharge” to navigable waters and adjoining shorelines.
What is “run-on”?
“Run-on” is water from precipitation that is introduced to a site either directly as rain, snow, ice, or condensation, or as surface water that flows onto the site.
Why is run-on undesirable at an SPCC-regulated facility?
Run-on can become runoff, and carry spilled or leaked oil offsite. It also takes up secondary containment capacity, which reduces the containment’s ability to contain oil spills and leaks.
What is “runoff”?
“Runoff” is water from precipitation that moves over or through the ground and flows away from a site. Runoff either seeps in and adds to the groundwater, or ends up in a nearby body of water.
How can you minimize the impacts of run-on and runoff?
Buildings, enclosures, containment, roofs, covers, slopes, grades, dikes, ditches, ponds, drains, sumps, and barriers can all help prevent run-on and minimize the impacts of run-on and runoff.
Sample Video Transcript
Runoff can be defined as water from precipitation that moves over or through the ground and flows away from a site or facility. Runoff either seeps into the ground to add to the groundwater or ends up in a nearby stream, creek, river, lake, wetland, or other body of water. The problem with runoff is that as it moves, it often picks up and carries away pollutants, both naturally occurring and human-made. The concern at SPCC-regulated facilities is that it can carry away oil that is spilled or leaked. The oil-containing runoff then has the potential to end up in navigable waters or adjoining shorelines.
Additional Resources
- US Government Publishing Office (GPO) – www.gpo.gov
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) – www.ecfr.gov
- Title 40, Chap. I, Subchapter D, Part 112 – http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?tpl=/ecfrbrowse/Title40/40cfr112_main_02.tpl
Course Applies To
Demos + Pricing
Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.
