What is the main purpose of secondary containment in UST systems?

The main purpose of secondary containment in Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems is to prevent spills and leaks from reaching the environment. Secondary containment provides an additional layer of security that captures any leaks or spills originating from the primary containment system, which is the tank itself. This is essential in protecting groundwater and surrounding soil from contamination, as well as adhering to environmental regulations. By ensuring that any hazardous materials are contained, secondary containment plays a critical role in environmental safeguarding and public health protection.

While aspects such as improving fuel storage efficiency, providing inventory space, or facilitating equipment maintenance may be relevant to UST systems, they do not directly address the primary concern of preventing environmental contamination, which is the cornerstone of secondary containment's design and regulatory requirement.