Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program

• Effective Saturday, September 15, 2007, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is charging fees for Underground Injection Control (UIC) Rule Authorization actions.
  Flier - Underground Injection Control Application Fees
• Fact Sheet - New Fees for Underground Injection Control Program
• New registration forms effective September 15, 2007

The UIC program was enacted in 1974, under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and is administered under 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 144-146. In 1984 the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was delegated primacy by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and re-authorized in 1991. DEQ regulates this program under the Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) Chapter 340, Division 44. 

Injection systems are any man-made design, structure or activity which discharges below the ground or subsurface. Common uses include: stormwater discharge, industrial/commercial and process waste water disposal, large domestic onsite systems and cesspools, sewage drill holes, aquifer remediation systems, motor vehicle waste disposal, agricultural drainage, geothermal systems and aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). Common designs include drywells, trench drains, sumps, perforated piping, floor drains, drainfields and drill holes.

The intent of the program is to protect groundwater resources, primarily used for drinking water, from contamination. All groundwater aquifers in Oregon are considered suitable as drinking water. The program is implemented from headquarters and serves the entire state. There are numerous federal classes and types of injection systems. All classes and types are required to be registered with DEQ and approved either through rule authorization (in lieu of a permit), under a state permit or closed.