Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program

Underground injection is a safe and proven way to manage, sequester, and isolate unwanted fluid wastes under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SOWA). In their article, Professional Engineer and Geologist Scott Knoepke and Dr. Charles Hostetler discuss underground injection benefits provided to manufacturing and facility operations, and how the USEPA program sets standards and requirements for injection wells and provides permitting and compliance mechanisms to enforce those standards.

In this context, the two most beneficial underground injection operations are Class I and Class VI UIC wells that can provide significant benefits to manufacturing and facility operations from both a regulatory and financial point of view. Manufacturing and facility operators will consider the long-term nature of the permitting and operations of Class I and Class VI UIC facilities to determine if UIC is a sustainable option. Project scoping is key to determining the regulatory and financial drivers for utilizing Class I and Class VI UIC, as well as the project suitability.

Share “Underground Injection Control Program” using the icons at the bottom of the page. Originally published by MWEA.org Winter 2023 publication.

 

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