Public Education

• Water Use--Water Shortage
• Underground Injection Control
• Pesticide Regulation in Florida
• Municipal Solid Waste Landfills
• Resource Recovery Facilities
• Superfund and Toxic Waste Cleanup

UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL

What Is Underground Injection?

Underground injection is a way to dispose of wastewater below the ground's surface.  The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulates underground injection according to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).  DEP's Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program is required to protect Florida's underground sources of drinking water (USDWs). (A USDW is an acquifer which contains ground water that is drinkable.)  The UIC Program must also protect water quality in aquifers that are next to the injection zone (the area that receives the waste).  Because leaks from underground injection wells pose a threat to drinking water and human health, these regulations must be strictly enforced.

Classification of Underground Injection Wells

Underground injection wells are classified by the type of wastewater and the location of the well in relation to USDWs.  These classifications include:

• Class I: wells injecting industrial, municipal or hazardous wastewater below an underground source of drinking water.  Wells injecting hazardous waste are no longer permitted in Florida, with the exception of one well which the Florida Legislature exempted from this ban.
• Class II: wells injecting or storing fluids derived from oil or natural gas recovery.
• Class III: wells injecting fluids used for the extraction of certain minerals from the ground.
• Class IV: wells injecting hazardous or radioactive wastes into or above an underground formations that contain a USDW within one quarter mile of the well.  All Class IV wells are prohibited by federal law.
• Class V: all other injection wells which are not Class I through IV.  These wells inject domestic and industrial waste into or above a USDW.

Regulation of Underground Injection Wells

DEP's regulations address the construction, operation and maintenance of underground injection wells.  The law requires them to be environmentally safe and protective of human health.  With few exceptions, DEP must issue permits to construct and operate underground injection wells.  To ensure that the well is placed in a suitable location, the law and rules require an analysis of the geology, hydrogeology, and an inventory of existing wells near the location of a proposed underground injection well.  The law and rules also require compliance with well construction standards.  The standards' complicated technical requirements are intended to keep the injected fluids in the permitted injection zone.  Once constructed, operating requirements are intended to prevent leaks or other threats to any USDW.  Operating requirements include monitoring; pressure, velocity and volume limitations; mechanical integrity demonstrations; and emergency discharge planning.  DEP's rules require public notice of proposed permitting action for an underground injection well, and the opportunity for a public hearing prior to permit issuance. Finally, DEP's rules require the plugging of a well if it is abandoned or if it becomes a threat to waters of the State.

What if There is a Problem?

DEP can bring civil actions against anyone who violates any permit requirements or causes ground water contamination.  Also, DEP can seek civil penalties and criminal fines for such violations.  If you have a problem caused by an injection well, call DEP's Underground Injection Control Branch in Tallahassee at (904) 488-3601.

This brochure was produced by the Committee on Access to Justice.  For other brochures, click here.