Alabama Administrative Code › Title 335 - ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT › WATER DIVISION - WATER QUALITY PROGRAM › Chapter 335-6-8 - UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL › Section 335-6-8-.09 - Class III Well Permit Application Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) For any new well field(s), the owner or
				operator shall submit the information required in subparagraphs (1)(a) through
				(1)(e) and (1)(h) of Rule
				335-6-8-.10, any additional
				information required by paragraph (3) of Rule
				335-6-8-.10, and the following
				information:
(a) Data on all wells (to
				include injection wells, oil and gas exploration and/or production wells, and
				water wells) located within the area of review which represents well type, well
				construction, date drilled, location, depth, record of plugging and/or
				completion and the present use of the well.
(b) An inventory of all surface waters
				located within the area of review to include type, location, and use.
(c) A map(s) which shows the location of
				wells, surface waters, and other pertinent surface features such as roads,
				mines, quarries, residences, and other structures within the area of
				review.
(d) Hydrogeological data
				including maps and cross sections showing local geological structure, regional
				geological structure, and the horizontal and vertical location of USDW's within
				the area of review. Where sufficient information is available, the direction of
				flow of water in each USDW shall also be shown.
(e) The source and analysis of the chemical,
				physical, radiological, and biological characteristics of the pollutants to be
				injected and, if available, of the formation fluid from the intended injection
				zone.
(f) A best management
				practice plan shall be developed in accordance with sound engineering practices
				to prevent or respond to pollution of any USDW or surface water which may be
				caused by operation or failure of the well or any other associated equipment at
				the facility as follows:
1. Examine each
				facility component or system with respect to its potential for causing a
				release of significant amounts of fluids and/or pollutants into a USDW or
				surface water due to equipment failure, improper operation, natural phenomena
				such as rain, freezing temperatures, etc.;
2. Include a prediction of the direction,
				rate of flow and total quantity of fluids and/or pollutants which could be
				discharged from the facility as a result of equipment failure, natural
				phenomena or other circumstances;
3. Establish best management practices
				addressing each system capable of causing a release of significant amounts of
				fluids and/or pollutants into a USDW or surface water;
4. Reflect all applicable requirements for
				Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans under 40 CFR Part 151,
				and incorporate such plans into the plan by reference;
5. Assure the proper management of solid and
				hazardous waste;
6. Address
				materials storage areas, process and material handling areas, loading and
				unloading areas, plant site runoff, and sludge and waste disposal
				areas;
7. Consider including
				statement of policy, employee training, inspections, preventative maintenance,
				and housekeeping;
8. When
				necessary, provide impervious liners, dikes, or other structures sufficient to
				prevent the discharge of a fluids and/or pollutant to a USDW;
9. Document the plan in narrative form and
				include any necessary plot plans, drawings or maps.
(g) A plan for plugging and abandonment of
				the injection well. Plugging shall be accomplished so that USDW's are
				completely isolated and the movement of fluids and/or pollutants into any USDW
				or between USDW's is prevented and so that the injection zone is isolated.
				Plugging shall also be accomplished so that surface water cannot enter the
				well.
(h) An executed financial
				guarantee sufficient to demonstrate the financial responsibility and resources
				to close, plug, and abandon the underground injection operation in a manner
				acceptable to the Department. Financial responsibility may be demonstrated by
				the submission of adequate assurance, such as financial statements or other
				materials acceptable to the Department.
(i) A description of the corrective actions
				planned to eliminate any deficiencies in the plugging or completion of wells
				located in the area of review which, if not eliminated, may result in pollution
				of a USDW. In determining the adequacy of the corrective action, the following
				criteria shall be considered:
1. Nature and
				volume of the injected fluid;
2.
				Nature of by-products of injection;
3. Potentially affected population;
4. Geology;
5. Hydrology;
6. History of the injection operation;
				and
7. Hydraulic connections with
				underground sources of drinking water.
(j) A proposed ground water monitoring
				program showing the location, depth, and method of construction of any
				monitoring wells to be installed and similar information concerning any
				existing wells or surface water bodies to be monitored. This submittal shall
				also provide a proposed sampling and testing scheme to be followed during
				groundwater monitoring. Monitoring wells shall be located and constructed in
				accordance with approved plans and shall conform to subparagraph (1)(e) items
				1. through 4. of Rule
				335-6-8-.10 and the following
				requirements:
1. Where injection is into a
				formation containing less than 10,000 mg/l total dissolved solids, monitoring
				wells shall extend into the injection zone.
2. Where a USDW is penetrated by the
				injection well and the operation may cause or be affected by subsidence or
				catastrophic collapse, monitoring wells shall be located outside the physical
				influence of the possible subsidence or collapse.
3. Where the injection zone is an USDW; the
				number, location, construction, and frequency of monitoring of the monitoring
				wells shall be determined by considering:
(i)
				The population relying upon the USDW affected or potentially affected by the
				injection operation;
(ii) The
				proximity of the injection operation to points of withdrawal of drinking
				water;
(iii) The local geology and
				hydrology;
(iv) The operating
				pressure and whether a negative gradient is being maintained;
(v) The nature and volume of the injected
				fluid, the formation water, and the process by-products; and
(vi) The injection well density.
(k) If the permit
				application is for a well field with more than one well, the ultimate expected
				well field configuration shall be submitted on a drawing showing the area of
				review, and showing injection and recovery wells.
(l) Proposed operational procedures which
				include estimated average and maximum daily injection rates and injection
				pressures.
(m) Drilling and well
				testing plans, completion plans, and surface construction plans which meet the
				requirements of subparagraph (1)(b), (1)(c), and (1)(d) items 4. and 5. of Rule
				335-6-8-.11.
(n) A signature of a person who meets the
				requirements of a responsible official as indicated below:
1. In the case of a corporation, by a
				principal executive officer of at least the level of vice-president;
2. In the case of a partnership, by a general
				partner;
3. In the case of a sole
				proprietorship, by the owner;
4. In
				the case of a municipal, state, federal, or other public agency, by either a
				principal executive officer or ranking elected official.
(o) A signed certification by the responsible
				official described in subparagraph (1)(n) of the permit application as follows:
"I certify under penalty of law that I have personally
				  examined and am familiar with the information submitted in this application and
				  all attachments and that, based on my inquiry of those persons immediately
				  responsible for obtaining the information contained in the application, I
				  believe that the information is true, accurate, and complete. I am aware that
				  there are significant penalties for submitting false information, including the
				  possibility of fine and imprisonment."