Delaware Code Title 7. Conservation § 7401A. Purpose

The General Assembly finds and declares that the containment of petrochemicals, petroleum, petroleum products, hazardous chemicals, hazardous substances, hazardous waste and similar regulated substances in aboveground storage tanks is emerging as a cause of soil, air, surface water and groundwater contamination in the State;  that the State's surface water and groundwater resources are vital to the population and economy of the State;  that millions of gallons of petroleum and hazardous substances are stored in aboveground storage tanks;  that releases of stored, regulated substances are occurring in a significant number of these tanks due to corrosion, structural defect, inadequate maintenance and repair, or improper installation;  and that it is therefore necessary to provide for more stringent control of the installation, operation, retrofitting, maintenance, repair, abandonment and/or removal of aboveground storage tanks to prevent releases, and, where releases occur, to detect and remediate them at the earliest possible stage, thus minimizing further degradation of soil, air, surface water and groundwater and promoting public safety.  The Department is hereby granted the authority to and shall promulgate standards and regulations to ensure the protection of human health and the environment and to provide for best management practices for aboveground storage tanks.