Underground Injection Control Regulations

310 CMR 27.00 protects underground sources of drinking water by regulating the underground injection of fluids having potential to contaminate groundwater, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. September 13, 2002.
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Draft Guidance Document for Ground Source Heat Pump Wells

MassDEP is seeking public comment on this draft guidance document for installation of GSHP wells in Massachusetts. This document is only a draft and is not currently in effect.
MS Word 190 KB | PDF 92 KB

Written comments should be mailed to:

MassDEP UIC Program
1 Winter Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108.

October 14, 2008, at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for public comment.

Massachusetts Closure Requirements for Underground Injection Control Wells (Guidance # BRP/DWM/DW/G04-3)

Revised July 2008. This guidance applies to the closure of all unauthorized and authorized-by-rule Class IV or V shallow injection wells in Massachusetts. Appendices are listed below.
MS Word 99 KB | PDF 59 KB

Appendix I. List of Massachusetts Cities & Towns by Region
Identify the MassDEP Regional Office for your community.
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Appendix II. Jar Headspace Analytical Screening Procedure
Recommended procedure for conducting analytical screening of contaminated soil or groundwater utilizing a portable Photoionization Detector (PID) or Flame Ionization Detector (FID). July 2008.
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Appendix III. UIC Pre-Closure Notification Form (WS-06d)
Pre-Closure notices must be filed for any UIC Class IV/V well that the owner/operator plans to close, at least thirty days prior to closure. A waiver may be requested of MassDEP by the owner/operator of any or all of the thirty-day period. Any well that was closed (including prior to 9/13/02) that did not file a Closure Notification with the UIC program at  MassDEP prior to 9/13/02 is required to submit the Pre-Closure Form even if the well(s) is now closed.

Within seven days following completion of closure of the injection well(s), submit to MassDEP documentation of closure on a UIC Post-Closure Form. June 2007.
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Appendix IV. UIC Post-Closure Notification Form
The UIC Post-Closure Form, including all required attachments, must be submitted to MassDEP within seven days following completion of closure of the UIC Class IV or V injection well(s), submit to the Department.

For all owner/operators closing a well after 9/13/02 a Pre-Closure form must be submitted to MassDEP at least thirty days prior to closure. For owner/operators that closed a well(s) prior to 9/13/02 but that did not file the UIC Notification Form with MassDEP a Pre-Closure form must be submitted. August 2006.
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Appendix V. UIC Notice of Plumbing Inspector Approval to Seal Floor Drain (BRP WS01)
If closure includes sealing a floor drain(s) than the owner/operator must have the local plumbing inspector signoff on the WS-1 form and should be attached to the UIC Post-Closure form. July 2008.
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Appendix VI. Q&A Summary for the Non-technical Reader
Frequently asked questions about the UIC Program. July 2008.
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UIC Fees & Forms Information

Detailed information about UIC fees & forms, revised in October 2004.
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BRP WS-06 a, b & c - Registration of Discharges to Underground Injection Wells / BRP WS-06 - Modification to an Existing UIC Registration

The well owner or operator should use this form to apply to the UIC Program for registration of an "authorized by rule" well. (August 2006)
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BRP WS-06e Residential Wells (four units or fewer)

Registration of Underground Discharges to Injection Wells / Modification to an Existing UIC Registration  (August 2006.)
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Planning & Implementing a Local Floor Drain Control

Floor drain control regulations or bylaws are required by the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.21(a)(8).
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UIC Class V Wells - Basic Information

The Information provided explains how Class V wells work. It will help you understand how to manage your Class V well(s) to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
US EPA Web site

Minimum Requirements for Class V Wells

This page has information on the basic (minimum) requirements for owners or operators of Class V wells. EPA has established minimum requirements to prevent injection wells from contaminating underground sources of drinking water.
US EPA Web site

Registration of discharges to the ground from pump houses and other public water system facilities

A Standard Operating Procedure written to help determine when a discharge from a PWS facility is exempt from a Groundwater Discharge Permit
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Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells 

This page will help you determine whether you have a motor vehicle waste disposal well, understand why these wells are regulated, learn how to comply with requirements for these wells, and find other options for managing motor vehicle wastewater.
US EPA Web site

Small Entity Compliance Guide 

Guidance documents from EPA to help owners and operators as well as regulatory agencies comply with the requirements for Class V wells.
US EPA Web site

Large-Capacity Cesspools

This page will help you determine if you have a large-capacity cesspool, understand why these cesspools are banned, and learn how to properly close the cesspool.
US EPA Web site

When are Storm Water Discharges Regulated as Class V Wells?

This Fact Sheet includes information on storm water management strategies that include subsurface drainage structures and information on infiltration strategies that are exempt from the UIC regulations to submit inventory information.
US EPA Web site

MassDEP Stormwater Handbook

Class V stormwater drainage wells include Dry Wells. This structural stormwater BMP is covered by UIC regulations. See the stormwater handbook's chapter on BMPs for more information.
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Green Infrastructure Policy

US EPA memo on use of green infrastructure approaches (including infiltration practices that are classified as 'green') for managing stormwater, and overview of UIC program requirements for stormwater infiltration practices that are classified as Class V wells.
US EPA Web site

Geothermal Wells Fact Sheet

Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) - Geothermal & Ground Water Heat Pump wells fact sheet developed to assist Mass. DCR well installers.
DCR Web site

Regulatory Requirements for Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Wells

Policy #BRP/DWM/PeP-07-1 provides guidance to the Department and permittees regarding the use and regulatory requirements for closed-loop geothermal heat pump wells, which provide heating and cooling by using energy from the earth's stored heat.
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DCR - Well Drillers Program

The Department of Conservation and Recreation Office of Water Resources is responsible for administering well driller exams, maintaining a well completion report database, and responding to complaints regarding persons engaged in the business of well drilling.
DCR Web site

Shallow Hazardous and Radioactive Injection Wells (Class IV)

This page describes Class IV wells and how their use protects drinking water resources, and presents the UIC Program requirements that protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
US EPA Web site

Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

Geologic sequestration is the process of injecting carbon dioxide from a source, such as a coal-fired electric generating power plant, through a well into the deep subsurface. With proper site selection and management, geologic sequestration could play a major role in reducing emissions of CO2.
US EPA Web site