UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL: CLASS V WELLS Douglas Minter UIC Program EPA Region 8

CLASS V WELLS Define Class V wells Define Class V wells Explain how EPA regulates Class V wells Explain how EPA regulates Class V wells Describe additional proposed regulatory requirements Describe additional proposed regulatory requirements Explain how EPA implements Class V field program Explain how EPA implements Class V field program

DEFINE CLASS V WELLS Uses of Class V wells: Uses of Class V wells: Associated businesses and government facilities Associated businesses and government facilities Harmful vs. beneficial uses Harmful vs. beneficial uses

DEFINE CLASS V WELLS Configurations of Class V wells: Configurations of Class V wells: Sump and separator system Sump and separator system Drainage well or drywell Drainage well or drywell Septic system Septic system

EXPLAIN HOW EPA REGULATES CLASS V WELLS Inventory requirement (40 CFR ) Inventory requirement (40 CFR ) All new and existing Class V wellsAll new and existing Class V wells Does not apply to small capacity (< 20 persons / day) sanitary discharges Does not apply to small capacity (< 20 persons / day) sanitary discharges

EXPLAIN HOW EPA REGULATES CLASS V WELLS Non-endangerment standard (40 CFR (a) Non-endangerment standard (40 CFR (a) Emphasis on prevention, not remediationEmphasis on prevention, not remediation

EXPLAIN HOW EPA REGULATES CLASS V WELLS Low-risk versus high-risk wells Low-risk versus high-risk wells To date, high risk wells include motor vehicle waste disposal wells, industrial disposal wells and large capacity cesspoolsTo date, high risk wells include motor vehicle waste disposal wells, industrial disposal wells and large capacity cesspools Facilities w/ high risk wells can include vehicle repair / washing operations, RV dump stations, paint / autobody shops, and stormwater wells in industrial areas.Facilities w/ high risk wells can include vehicle repair / washing operations, RV dump stations, paint / autobody shops, and stormwater wells in industrial areas.

PROPOSED ADDITIONAL REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS Protect source water and other sensitive areas by: Protect source water and other sensitive areas by: Banning new large capacity cesspools & phasing out existing ones Banning new large capacity cesspools & phasing out existing ones Banning motor vehicle waste disposal wells Banning motor vehicle waste disposal wells Introducing new requirements for industrial disposal Introducing new requirements for industrial disposal

HOW EPA IMPLEMENTS CLASS V FIELD PROGRAM Inventory and risk assessment Inventory and risk assessment Mass mailings, mtgs w/ local govtsMass mailings, mtgs w/ local govts Compliance assistance Compliance assistance Permit or close high risk wellsPermit or close high risk wells Monitoring and enforcement Monitoring and enforcement Notices of violation and administrative ordersNotices of violation and administrative orders

Class V Field Program EPA Contacts: EPA Contacts: Region 8 Class II wells:Region 8 Class II wells: Dan Jackson (303) Region 8 Class V wells:Region 8 Class V wells: Douglas Minter (303) Other Regions’ contacts listed in student manualOther Regions’ contacts listed in student manual