Update on EPA Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program Activities: Presentation at the KDHE Geology Section’s Fall 2012 Seminar

David Garrett, Environmental Scientist

EPA Region 7

US EPA - Region 7Water, Wetlands & Pesticides Division September 6, 2012

Background • The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires EPA to protect

underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from contamination caused by underground injection (Sections 1421, 1422 & 1425).o §1421 provides minimum standards for underground injectiono §1422 provides for state primacy permitting & enforcement authorityo §1425 provides for alternative showing of effectiveness of program by

state UIC Programs (injection wells associated with oil and gas production only)

• Section 1431 contains provisions to address imminent and substantial endangerment to health.

• The UIC regulations can be found at 40 CFR 144 through 148.

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ORD Hydraulic Fracturing Study

• In the FY2010 Appropriations Committee Conference Report, Congress directed EPA to study the relationship between hydraulic fracturing and drinking water.

• The ORD study is the main study that focuses on HF, but other studies are being done which are also looking at HF in addition to other aspects of unconventional gas and tight oil production.

• 2012: Report of Preliminary Results (includes research completed and reviewed no later than the end of the year).

• 2014: Report of Further Results

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CO2 Geologic Sequestration

• On Sept. 7, 2011, EPA formally began implementing the Class VI Program until primacy for the program is delegated.

• No formal application for primacy of the Class VI Program has been submitted by any state in Region 7.

• Several new EPA guidance documents are now available.

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Find Out More About the UIC Program and Keep Current on the HF Study and CO2 GS

• EPA Underground Injection Control Website: http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/index.cfm

• EPA Hydraulic Fracturing Website: http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/class2/hydraulicfracturing/index.cfm

• EPA CO2 Geologic Sequestration Website:

http://water.epa.gov/type/groundwater/uic/wells_sequestration.cfm

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EPA Region 7 UIC Program ContactsDrinking Water and Groundwater Management Branch

Water, Wetlands and Pesticides Division

UIC Program (WWPD/DRWM)

901 N. 5th Street

Kansas City, KS 66101

Kurt Hildebrandt David Garrett

Phone: (913) 551-7413 Phone: (913) 551-7413

Fax: (913) 551-9413 Fax: (913) 551-9413

Email: hildebrandt.kurt@epa.gov Email: garrett.david@epa.gov