Underground Injection Control
In a cooperative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state and tribal governments, the UIC Program works toward protecting underground sources of drinking water (USDW) from contamination by regulating the construction and operation of injection wells. Underground injection wells are primarily used to dispose of wastes into the subsurface and have the potential to adversely affect USDWs. Five classes of wells are defined according to the type of waste that is disposed and where the waste is injected. Detailed information on regulations can be found at EPA Regulations.
A brief description of the well types:
Class I: Industrial and Municipal Wells That Inject Beneath Lowermost USDW
Class II: Associated with Oil and Gas Production
Class III: Associated With Mineral Recovery
Class IV: Wells Injecting Hazardous Waste Into USDWs (Prohibited)
Class V: Injection Wells Not Included in Other Classes (typically Shallow Disposal Systems)
For more specific program information on the UIC program:
Deep Injection Wells (Class I, II, III wells)
Shallow Waste Disposal System/Well (Class V wells)
News and Announcements:
EPA Announces Approval of the Fort Peck Tribes' UIC Class II Injection WEll Program in Montana
On October 17, 2008, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson authorized the Assiniboine and Sioux (
Federal Register notice PDF (10 pp, 95.8K)
Fact Sheet PDF (2 pp, 32K)
Proposed Regulations on Geological Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide
EPA is seeking public comment until November 24, 2008 on its proposed regulations for the injection and storage of carbon dioxide into the subsurface. Written comments can be submitted through the www.regulations.gov website by selecting the yellow icon under "Add Comments" located next to the "PROPOSED RULES". Here you will also find additional supporting documentation for the proposed regulations. Additional information on the Background and the Regulatory Development can be found on the EPA headquarters website. For further information please contact Dan Jackson (jackson.dan@epa.gov, 303-312-6155) or Wendy Cheung (cheung.wendy@epa.gov, 303-312-6242).
Colorado Division of Wildlife Foothills Wildlife Health Laboratory
EPA seeks public comment on Class V Draft Permit for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Foothills Wildlife Health Laboratory located west of Fort Collins, Colorado on 4330 La Porte Avenue. Because a small volume of laboratory waste fluids are going into a septic system, that septic system is a Class V well under UIC regulations.
Class V Draft Permit PDF (23 pp, 6.6MB)
Statement of Basis PDF (18 pp, 331.4K)
Contents of Administration Record
Additional/Updated Documents
Class V 2nd Draft Permit PDF (20 pp, 181.3K)
Draft Permit Appendix A PDF (2 pp, 358.3K)
Draft Permit Appendix B PDF (26 pp, 4.6MB)
Draft Permit Appendix C PDF (4 pp, 90.4K)
Class V 2nd Statement of Basis PDF (16 pp, 179.7K)
Statement of Basis Figure 1 PDF (136.3K)
2005 CDOW UIC Class V Draft Permit response to comments PDF (139.6K)
edited 2005 CDOW UIC Class V Draft Permit Statement of Basis PDF (21 pp, 680.5K)
Class V Carbon Geologic Sequestration Pilot Project
EPA has released a guidance for Class V Geological Sequestration Pilot Projects in March 2007. For additional information, select a link below.
Class V Guidance Q & A
Class V Guidance on Experimental Well Technology PDF (23 pp, 450.3K)