The firm that finds the problem should not be the firm that bills to fix it
Most tank testing in this industry is performed by contractors who also sell the repairs. That is a structural conflict, and inspectors know it. When a testing firm's revenue depends on finding work, every finding carries an asterisk the reviewer has to weigh.
USTEX carries no repair line. We do not bid the work and we take no referral fee for handing it to someone else. That is why our reports hold up in an agency review, and why engineering firms bring us in as the neutral party on their own client sites.
What that means in practice
- A passing test is reported as passing, with the data attached. There is no upsell attached to a clean result.
- A failing test is reported with the measured values and the rule it fails against, not with a quote.
- We do not bid the remediation, the replacement, or the upgrade. Your engineer or contractor handles that.
- On an open agency case, the absence of repair exposure removes the most common challenge to a third-party finding.
Common questions
How often do underground tanks need testing?
- Testing frequency is determined by state regulations, the age of the tank, and the specific system configuration.
- Most jurisdictions mandate annual testing for line leak detectors, alongside periodic tank tightness assessments.
- Send us your site location and inspection notice so we can identify the testing requirements that apply to your facility.
Why does an independent opinion matter?
- An independent assessment ensures objectivity for both the facility owner and regulatory agencies.
- When the same firm conducts the testing and sells the subsequent repairs, it can create a conflict of interest, leading owners to question if the recommended work is truly necessary and agencies to scrutinize the results.
- Providing a strictly independent evaluation eliminates these concerns entirely by removing any financial incentive tied to repair work.
How fast can you get to a red-tagged site?
- If your site is down, please call us immediately so we can prioritize your service.
- We schedule red-tagged sites ahead of all routine testing because a tagged dispenser results in daily revenue loss.
- Routine maintenance is not as time-critical, allowing us to pivot quickly to resolve urgent operational shutdowns.
What does a multi-site program look like?
- Our multi-site program offers a streamlined approach: a unified schedule, standardized documentation, and a single point of contact across all your operational states.
- For operators managing facilities in multiple jurisdictions, this centralized coordination is often more valuable than the testing itself.
- It ensures consistent compliance across an entire portfolio, preventing inspection failures that can occur when individual state regulations slip through the cracks.
What changes when a tank testing company gets bought
Tank testing is consolidating. Private equity platforms and national equipment distributors are acquiring the independent testing firms that fuel sites have used for decades. The technician may stay. The incentives do not.
Why does independent tank testing matter to a fuel site operator?
Independent tank testing means the company that tests your tanks earns nothing from what it finds. When a testing firm is acquired by a platform that also sells equipment, installs systems and performs repairs, every test result becomes a potential work order for the same company. A marginal reading that once ended in a clean certificate can now end in a quote. The operator has no way to tell the difference from the report.
How much of the industry has consolidated?
In the first half of 2026 alone, private equity backed platforms announced acquisitions of independent tank testing and petroleum service companies in Florida, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, Arizona, Texas, Arkansas and Colorado. The stated strategy in those announcements is a single source provider for testing, equipment, construction and repair. That is the structure independent testing exists to avoid.
What does a locally owned testing company do differently?
USTEX LLC is owner operated from Jackson, Wisconsin, licensed as a DATCP specialty firm, and carries no repair, equipment or installation revenue. The person who tests the tank signs the report and answers the phone. Pricing is set per site, not per national account. A failing result is reported with the measured values and the rule it fails against, and the operator chooses who fixes it.
How the conflict-free model works. Tell us where your site is and what it needs.
| Question | Independent, owner operated | Acquired by a platform |
|---|---|---|
| Who profits from a failed test | Nobody on the testing side | The repair and equipment divisions of the same company |
| Who signs the report | The technician who ran the test | Often a regional office, after review for upsell |
| Who answers the phone | The owner | A call center routing to the nearest branch |
| How pricing is set | Per site, per scope | National rate card, enterprise accounts first |
| What happens to a marginal reading | Reported with the number and the rule | Reported with a recommendation and a quote |
Tell us what your site is facing
- 1Send the site information.
- 2Receive the required scope and price.
- 3Schedule testing and receive the report.
Prefer to talk? Call directly:
(414) 301-3645- Hours
- Mon to Fri, 07:00 to 17:00 CT
- Response
- Same day
- contact@us-tex.com
- Based
- Based out of Jackson, Wisconsin
- Licensed
- DATCP #560989 · UEI WG4NCXK3XCA5 · CAGE 191X7