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Underground Injection Control Program

The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program, authorized by the Safe Drinking Water Act, is designed to prevent ground water contamination from injection wells. Most injection wells in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are relatively simple devices used to emplace fluids into the shallow subsurface under the force of gravity. Examples include sumps, drywells, and drainfields. The threat posed to ground water quality varies markedly, and depends mostly upon the volume and nature of the fluids injected, well construction, and the hydrogeologic setting. The federal UIC regulations and additional state requirements are based upon a protective performance standard. If you would like more information regarding the UIC program check out our "frequently asked questions" page. Open for Public Comment Federal EPA Proposed Rule Geosequestration Class VI Underground Injection Control (See FR July 25, 2008) (PDF) We encourage you to participate in this national comment period which ends November 24, 2008 by visiting the regulation.gov entry for Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW- 2008-0390 which allows the submission of comments electronically and gives more information about the proposed rule. We will will hold two public hearings on the proposed regulations. The first will be held in Chicago, IL on September 30, 2008, and the second in Denver, CO on October 2, 2008. Federal Register Notice for the Proposed Rule (PDF) Federal Register Notice for the Public Hearings (PDF) Registration and More Information about Public Meetings More information on the regulatory development of underground injection of carbon dioxide for geologic sequestration If you have any questions about the proposed regulations or the underground injection of carbon dioxide, please contact EPA Headquarters contact Lee Whitehurst (whitehurst.lee@epa.gov) at (202) 564–3896 (fax: (202) 564–3756) or Thor Cutler (cutler.thor@epa.gov) of Region 10 at (206) 553-1673. Proposed permit for Nikaitchuq Unit in Beaufort Sea, Alaska, comments due by September 15, 2008. Inventory Forms Current and potential permitees (forms located on EPA Region 5 website) If you own and/or operate an injection well in... You must submit... Alaska or Tribal Lands (all land within the reservation boundaries) UIC Inventory Form (PDF) (3pp, 143K) UIC Permit Application (PDF) (6pp, 133K) UIC Pre-Closure Notification Form (PDF) (2pp, 24K) Idaho (not Tribal land) Deep Well Permit Application (PDF) - for wells deeper than 18 feet (4pp. 149K) Shallow Well Inventory Forms (PDF) - for wells 18 feet deep or less (4pp. 30K) Oregon (not Tribal land) Oregon Forms Washington (not Tribal land) Washington Forms

National UIC Information UIC Program Information Classes of Injection Wells Class I Class II Class III Class IV Class V State UIC Programs Regulations Guidance On this Page Open for Public Comment Inventory Forms Manuals and Guides Special Projects You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more. EPA and State program contacts for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska

UIC Manuals and Guides

EPA's Onsite Wastewater System Treatment Manual (OWTS) - This manual complements the "Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems" (EPA-625/180-012) that was originally published in 1980. The Manual provides the latest information on onsite system management, siting, design, installation, maintenance, monitoring and replacement. It is designed to help users assess and select the best and most suitable sets of technologies and techniques that are appropriate for local site specific conditions. The manual was written to promote the use of an integrated risk/performance-based approach to OWTS design. Information on OWTS cost and effectiveness has been included. Small Entity Compliance Guide: "How the New Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Well Rule Affects Your Business" (33pp, 460K) - This guide provides information about motor vehicle waste fluid management and is available in PDF format. For a CD ROM version of the please contact Kirk Robinson or call him at (206) 553-2104. More information about shallow injection wells. A video that looks at the real life challenges and successes experienced by three different communities when faced with contaminated drinking water supplies is available to the public. Titled "The Problem with Shallow Disposal Systems," the video explains that shallow disposal systems are a common, but often over-looked source of contamination to drinking water resources. In addition, the video also shows that there are simple and preventative steps a community can take to reduce threats to their water resource without disrupting the community's economy or going into financial debt. For more information about the video or if you would like to order a free copy, please contact Kirk Robinson at (206) 553-2104. Injection Well Fact Sheets and Reference Documents

Special Projects

EPA-issued Deep (Class I) Injection Well Permits on the North Slope of Alaska Underground Injection Control and Storm Water

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URL: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/WATER.NSF/UIC/UIC+Program