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. ------- 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). ------- |