UPSS Leak detection for sensitive sites
sourced form www.epa.vic.gov.au 14/11/2013
A sensitive site is a site that has been classed as such in accordance with the Site Classification System set out in Appendix 4. Advice from a competent and experienced hydrogeologist may be necessary to assist owners/operators of UPSS in determining whether some sites are sensitive.
It is necessary to take additional precautions, with respect to leak detection, at sensitive sites due to the relatively high risk to people, property and the environment.
The default maximum release detection rate of 0.76 L/hour (minimum performance standard for leak detection systems specified in section 4) is not an allowable leak rate. Leaks of this magnitude may still result in unacceptable impact on people, property or the environment, particularly at sensitive sites.
A leak detection system at a sensitive site therefore needs to:
- achieve detection of any release in sufficient time to take corrective action before the release poses a significant risk to people, property or the environment
- include sufficient redundancy (e.g., multiple barriers) to provide a high level of confidence that any significant release will be detected
- be assessed and approved by a competent person29 to achieve the first two requirements listed here.
