Alameda County Environmental Health (ACEH) provides regulatory oversight for investigation and cleanup for the following:

• LUFT (Leaking Underground Fuel Tanks) sites are those sites that have or had leaking underground fuel tanks.



• Authority for oversight has been delegated to ACEH by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) by contract and includes the authority to require property owners and responsible persons to investigate and cleanup (also called remediate) petroleum fuel and byproducts that have leaked from underground storage tanks. ACEH may initiate enforcement action when necessary in collaboration with the County District Attorney, the RWQCB or other appropriate enforcement agencies. ACEH works with both the SWRCB and with the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) to ensure protection of human health and safety and the protection of the environment. Releases of other types of hazardous materials from underground storage tanks may be regulated by ACEH, RWQCB or by the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC).


• SLIC (Spills, Leaks Investigation and Cleanup) sites are those that have had chemical releases that have contaminated soil and/or groundwater.

ACEH jurisdiction for these programs includes all of Alameda County except the Cities of Berkeley, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Newark, and Union City. The RWQCB and the Cities oversee Berkeley, San Leandro and Hayward. The RWQCB and Alameda County Water District (ACWD) oversee Fremont, Newark and Union City.

All ACEH costs for the LUFT oversight program are paid for by contract with the SWRCB. All ACEH SLIC program costs are paid for by the property owner or responsible party. Neither program has a cost to the residents of Alameda County.

ACEH Program priorities generally follow SWRCB Local Oversight Program (LOP) priorities listed in the LOP contract:

1. Expedite any case that threatens public health and safety or the environment
2. Perform case review in compliance with SWRCB Resolution 2009-0042
3. Enforce removal of free product within two years of discovery
4. Close cases no longer requiring corrective action or monitoring
5. Follow RWQCB guidelines and Basin Plan to ensure protection of the groundwater basin
6. Resolve all disputes and requests for service in a timely manner and in accordance with these priorities
7. Respond to work plans and closure requests within 60 days
8. Review all open cases at least once per year
9. Receive/deny Electronic Submittal of Information (ESI) documents within 60 days
10. Require compliance with GeoTracker reporting requirements
11. Provide quality data input to GeoTracker
12. Provide documentation to UST Cleanup Fund as requested
13. Provide closure summary to RWQCB 30 days prior to case closure