United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Water
(4606)
EPA816-F-00-029
January 2000
www.epa.gov/safewater
&EPA The Class V Rule
A Quick Reference Guide for Regulators
Title of Rule:
Purpose:
General Description:
Revisions to the Underground Injection Control Regulations for Class V Wells
64 FR 68545-68573, December 7,1999.
Prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water by limiting injection of
wastes through Class V wells.
Adds requirements for two sub-categories of Class V wells: large-capacity cesspools and
motor vehicle waste disposal wells. Links Class V program to source water assessment program.
Rule Requirements
Large-capacity cesspools
Definition: typically dry wells that receive sanitary waste from multiple
dwellings and community or regional establishments.
• New large-capacity cesspools banned nationwide as of April 5, 2000
• Existing large-capacity cesspools closed by April 5, 2005
• Owners or operators notify the UIC Program Director 30 days
prior to closing their large-capacity cesspool
Motor vehicle waste disposal wells
Definition: receive or have received fluids from vehicular repairs or
maintenance activities, such as auto body repair, automotive repair, car
dealerships, or other vehicular repair work.
New motor vehicle waste disposal wells banned nationwide as of
April 5, 2000
Existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells banned in regulated
areas. States may allow owners and operators to seek a waiver
from the ban and obtain a permit.
Owners or operators notify the UIC Program Director 30 days
prior to closing their well
Minimum permit requirements for existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells
1. Fluids must meet Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) and other health-based standards at point of injection.
2. Best Management Practices must be specified.
3. Monitoring requirements must be specified to characterize the quality of the injectate and sludge, both initially and on an ongoing basis.
Requirements for existing motor vehicle waste disposal wells would be phased-in as follows:
First - in source water protection areas for community and non-transient non-community water systems that use ground water as a source of drinking
water. These areas are being delineated and assessed as required by 1453 of the Safe Drinking Water Act and are called ground water protection areas.
Second - in other sensitive ground water areas that States identify as being crucial for protecting underground sources of drinking water. These areas
may include areas overlying sole source aquifers, karst aquifers, or other sensitive or vulnerable hydrogeologic settings such as glacial outwash
deposits, eolian sands and fractured bedrock.
If a State does not complete its assessments for ground water protection areas or delineate other sensitive ground water areas by January 1, 2004, the
rule requirements apply statewide.
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More Revisions-
Changes to the UIC regulations
New or modified definitions
• Consolidates Class V requirements into Subpart G
• Reclassifies Class V radioactive waste disposal wells that inject
below the lowermost USDW as Class I wells.
• Allows States to rule authorize Class IV wells used for CERCLA
and RCRA cleanup sites.
• Point of injection
• Septic system
• Drywell
• Subsurface fluid distribution system
• Improved sinkhole
• Sanitary waste
• Well
• Well injection
Implementation Schedule
For States and Regions
For Owners and Operators
Effective date of the rule. New large-capacity
cesspools and new motor vehicle waste
disposal wells are banned.
All complete primacy revision packages
submitted to EPA.
Assessments completed in ground water
protection areas and rule implemented in these
areas within one year after local assessments
are complete.
All assessments for ground water protection
areas* completed and other sensitive ground
water areas** delineated.
Rule implemented in all ground water
protection areas.*
Rule implemented in other sensitive ground
water areas.**
Effective date of the rule. New large-capacity
cesspools and new motor vehicle waste
disposal wells are banned.
Close all existing large-capacity cesspools.
Close motor vehicle waste disposal well or
comply with permit conditions within one year
of the completion of local assessment for a
ground water protection area.
Close motor vehicle waste disposal well or
comply with permit conditions in other
sensitive ground water areas.**
4/00
1/01
1/02
1/03
1/04
1/05
1/06
1/07
1/08
T
T
States complete assessments of ground
water protection areas and delineate other
sensitive ground water areas
o/o in ground water protection areas must comply
in one year (may receive one year extension)
If assessments of ground
water protection areas are
not completed*, rule applies
statewide
o/o in other sensitive
ground water areas must
comply by 1/2007 (may
receive one year extension)
o/o statewide must comply by 1/2005
(may receive one year extension)
If other sensitive ground water
areas are not delineated**,
rule applies statewide
o/o statewide must comply by 1/2007
(may receive one year extension)
* State may receive one year extension if making reasonable progress in completing assessments. States must apply for extension by 6/2003, If States receive extension but do not
complete assessments by 1/2005, rule applies statewide and o/o must comply by 1/2006 (may receive one year extension).
** State may receive one year extension if making reasonable progress in delineating other sensitive ground water areas. States must apply for extension by 6/2003. If States receive
extension but do not complete delineation by 1/2005, rule applies statewide and o/o must comply by 1/2008 (may not receive one year extension).
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