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.
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