United States                Office of Water         EPA813-F-95-003
           Environmental Protection        4602                August 1995
           Agency

x°/EPA   FACT  SHEET -  Class  V
            EPA Announces Regulatory  Amendments
           As Part  of a  Comprehensive Management
           Strategy for  Class V Wells
      What is a Class V well?

            Class V injection wells are generally shallow waste disposal wells,
      stormwater and agricultural drainage systems, or other devices that are used
      to release fluids above or into underground sources of drinking water
      (USDWs).  EPA estimates that more than one million Class V wells currently
      exist in the United States.

      Why are Class V wells of concern to EPA?

           Some Class V wells may pose a significant risk to USDWs, while the
      majority pose little or no risk to human health or the environment.  Class V
      wells are located in every State, especially in unsewered areas where the
      population is likely to depend on ground water. In some instances, the fluids
      released by these wells contain elevated concentrations of contaminants that
      may endanger drinking water supplies.

           Frequently, Class V wells are designed as no more than shallow holes
      or septic tank and leachfield combinations intended for sanitary waste
      disposal. Such systems are sometimes misused for the disposal of industrial
      wastes or other fluids that have not been treated, releasing elevated levels of
      contaminants directly into the same ground water that  is used as a drinking
      water supply by surrounding residences and communities.  These wells are
      commonly located at automobile service stations, print shops, dry cleaners,
      shopping centers, equipment manufacturers, and other commercial and
      industrial establishments.

      How does EPA regulate Class V wells?

           Currently, all Class V wells are authorized by rule (i.e., under the
      purview of the UIC program) and are authorized to inject provided they do
      not endanger underground sources of drinking water and meet certain
      minimum requirements (e.g., provide inventory to State UIC programs).

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What is EPA’s strategy for addressing Class V wells?
Because of the diversity in the risks posed by Class V wells, and the
size and nature of the regulated community, EPA believes that a traditional
regulatory approach to addressing these wells would not be effective. To
effectively address the unique challenges posed by the Cuass V universe, EPA
is implementing a comprehensive strategy for the management of Class V
injection wells. The strategy involves a carefully tailored combination of
guidance, education, and outreach, and enhancing the use of existing
regulatory authorities through some minor changes to the UIC regulations.
The goat of the strategy will be to speed up the closure of potentially
endangering Class V wells using current authorities and to promote the use
of best management practices to ensure that other Class V wells do not
endanger USDWs.
What new Class V requirements is EPA proposing?
EPA published a proposed rule, August 28, 1995, in the Federal
Register containing minor regulatory changes which are intended to improve
the effectiveness of the current Class V regulations by making it easier for
the regulated community to understand the existing requirements applicable
to Class V wells. The proposed changes include a simplification of the
current categories of Class V wells, a clarification of certain key definitions
to make it clear to the regulated community which types of shallow disposal
systems are Class V welts and which are not, and a reclassification of deep
low-level radioactive wells to Class I.
How can the public provide comments on the rule?
EPA will accept public comments, in writing, on the proposed
regulations until October 27, 1995. EPA is planning a public hearing on the
proposal, if public interest warrants, for October 1 8, 1 995, in the EPA
Auditorium of the EPA Training Center, Waterside Mall , 401 M Street, SW,
Washington DC, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Address written comments to
UIC Amendments, Water Docket (Mail Code 4101), USEPA, 401 M Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20460.
Whom should we contact if we have questions concerning this action?
For more information, contact the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791 or Lee Whitehurst at 1-202-260-5532.

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