Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Program (SPCC)

Oil Pollution

Oil releases to the environment have the potential to severely impact plants and animals, contaminate soils, and harm both air and water quality. The Clean Water Act specifies Oil Pollution Prevention regulations for the prevention of, preparedness for, and response to oil discharges. Oils addressed in these regulations include oils of any kind, such as petroleum, fuel oil, oils from seeds, nuts, and fruits, oils or greases of animal, fish, or marine mammal, vegetable oils, and other oils and greases, such as synthetic and mineral oils. If a tank containing oil develops a leak or a spill occurs during loading or unloading, the contents can migrate through the soil and reach the groundwater, which is a source of drinking water for nearly 90 million Americans. Drinking contaminated groundwater can severely impact human health. To prevent this from occurring, regulations require facilities that store oil to develop and implement SPCC Plans.

SPCC Program

Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure plans have been developed for six different operational areas of the University: Physical Plant, Dining Services, Medical Center Physical Plant, Good Samaritan Hospital, College of Agriculture Facilities, and Athletics Facilities. Each of these areas store oil in excess of 1,320 gallons and could reasonably be expected to discharge that oil in quantities that may be harmful to water quality. These plans form a spill prevention program that minimizes the potential for discharges of oil by describing measures implemented to prevent discharges from occurring and by preparing for spill responses in order to mitigate impacts of a discharge should one occur.

Oils on Campus

To develop the SPCC plans, the University conducted a survey to identify all oil storage areas and vessels subject to regulations. Oils used/stored on campus include:

SPCC Plans

Physical Plant

Athletics Facilities

Medical Center Physical Plant

Good Samaritan Hospital

College of Agriculture, Food and Environment Facilities

Dining Services

*Plans are available to those with access. Should you require access, please contact the Water Quality Compliance Manager for assistance.