Examples of Class V wells include dry wells that collect surface water runoff and industrial, commercial, and utility disposal wells. Shallow injection of wastewater from industrial and manufacturing processes can cause significant problems. For example, industrial chemicals such as solvents may be washed down sinks, or service station wastes such as oil may be flushed into service bay floor drains. These wastes can endanger drinking water sources, especially if the disposal well is a septic system. Chemicals disposed of in a septic system designed to treat sanitary waste can cause the system to malfunction and contaminate groundwater.
Many facilities have septic systems connected to their floor drains.
If your workplace generates waste fluids and is not connected to a municipal sewer, find out where your fluid wastes go. If they go to an on-site septic system, dry well, or drainage hole, you have a Class V disposal well which may endanger your drinking water supply. If you believe you have a Class V well, contact your local health officials or the EPA Regional Office covering your state. Even if you do not have a Class V well, you can contact these authorities to learn more about their programs, or to report any well that you think may be causing problems. If you have a Class V well, make sure you comply with inventory requirements.