Underground Injection Control Regulations and Safe Drinking Water Act Provisions
The federal regulations for the UIC program are found in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes requirements and provisions for the UIC program. This page describes the minimum federal requirements for injection operations and the sections of the SDWA that address injection.
Federal UIC regulations
| Code of Federal Regulations Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Part 144 | Underground Injection Control Program - provides minimum requirements for the UIC program promulgated under the SDWA. |
| Part 145 | State UIC Program Requirements - outlines the procedures for EPA to approve, revise, and withdraw UIC Programs that have been delegated to the states. |
| Part 146 | Underground Injection Control Program: Criteria and Standards - includes technical standards for various classes of injection wells. |
| Part 147 | State Underground Injection Control Programs - outlines the applicable UIC Programs for each state. |
| Part 148 | Hazardous Waste Injection Restrictions - describes the requirements for Class I hazardous waste injection wells. |
Safe Drinking Water Act Underground Injection Control provisions
Congress passed the SDWA in 1974. In part, the SDWA requires EPA to develop minimum federal requirements for UIC programs and other safeguards to protect public health by preventing injection wells from contaminating underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
Several sections of the SDWA address injection activities, as described below.
| Safe Drinking Water Act Section | Description |
|---|---|
| 1421 | Identifies the minimum requirements states must meet to be granted primary enforcement authority (primacy) for the UIC Program. This section also addresses how underground injection can endanger USDWs. |
| 1422 | Outlines the process for state primacy applications. This section provides application timelines and public participation requirements for states seeking primacy. If a state does not assume primacy, EPA runs the UIC program in that state. This section also specifies how tribes may apply for primacy. |
| 1423 | Sets forth enforcement of the UIC program. This section describes civil and criminal actions, including the amount of any penalty levied. |
| 1425 | Sets forth enforcement of the UIC program. This section describes civil and criminal actions, including the amount of any penalty levied. Describes optional demonstrations a state may make for the portion of the UIC program relating to oil and natural gas operations. This section allows EPA to approve existing state Class II (oil and gas) programs if the state can show that the program is effective in preventing endangerment of USDWs. |
| 1426 | Requires the EPA Administrator to determine the applicability of monitoring methods and to submit a report to Congress on Class V wells. The Report to Congress includes information on Class V well inventory, well types, design and construction recommendations, and risks associated with discharged wastes. |
| 1431 | Authorizes emergency powers for EPA. Under this section, EPA may take action to protect public health if substantial endangerment of USDWs is imminent. |
| 1442 | Gives EPA authority to conduct research, studies, training, and demonstrations. This section addresses ways to identify improved methods for protecting USDWs |
| 1443 | Establishes grants for primacy programs. Each year, states receive EPA funding under this section to help them implement their UIC programs. |