Washington Administrative Code › Title 173 - Ecology, Department of (See also Titles 197, 317, 372, and 508) › Chapter 173-218 - Underground injection control program › Section 173-218-030 - Definitions

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
"Abandoned well"
means a well that is unused,
				unmaintained, or is in such disrepair as to be unusable.
"AKART"
is an acronym that means all known,
				available and reasonable methods of prevention, control and treatment. AKART
				shall represent the most current methodology that can be reasonably required
				for preventing, controlling, or abating the pollutants associated with a
				discharge. The concept of AKART applies to both point and nonpoint sources of
				pollution. The term "best management practices" typically applies to nonpoint
				source pollution controls, and is considered a subset of the AKART requirement.
				The storm water management manuals (see definition in this section) may be used
				as a guideline, to the extent appropriate, for developing best management
				practices to apply AKART for storm water discharges.
"Aquifer"
means a geologic formation, group of
				formations or part of a formation capable of yielding a significant amount of
				ground water to wells or springs.
"Beneficial uses"
mean uses of the waters of the
				state which include, but are not limited to, use for domestic, stock watering,
				industrial, commercial, agricultural, irrigation, mining, fish and wildlife
				maintenance and enhancement, recreation, generation of electric power and
				preservation of environmental and aesthetic values, and all other uses
				compatible with the enjoyment of the public waters of the state.
"Best management practices"
mean approved
				physical, structural, and/or managerial practices that, when used singularly or
				in combination, prevent or reduce pollutant discharges.
"Caprock"
means geologic confining formation(s)
				that has sufficiently low permeability and lateral continuity to prevent the
				migration of injected carbon dioxide and other fluids out of the geologic
				containment system.
"Cesspool"
means a drywell that receives untreated
				sanitary waste containing human excreta, and that sometimes has an open bottom
				and/or perforated sides that discharge to the subsurface.
"Commercial business"
means a type of business
				activity that may distribute goods or provide services, but does not involve
				the manufacturing, processing or production of goods.
"Contaminant"
means any chemical, physical,
				biological, or radiological substance that does not occur naturally in ground
				water or that occurs at concentrations greater than those found
				naturally.
"Contamination"
means introduction of a
				contaminant.
"Dangerous waste"
means those solid wastes
				designated in WAC
				173-303-070 through
				173-303-100 as dangerous, or
				extremely hazardous or mixed waste. As used in chapter 173-303 WAC, Dangerous
				waste regulations, the words "dangerous waste" will refer to the full universe
				of wastes regulated by chapter 173-303 WAC.
"Decommission"
means to fill or plug a UIC well so
				that it will not result in an environmental or public health or safety hazard,
				nor serve as a channel for movement of water or pollution to an aquifer.
"Department"
means department of ecology.
"Dispersion"
means the release of surface and
				storm water runoff from a drainage facility system such that the flow spreads
				over a wide area and is located so as not to allow flow to concentrate anywhere
				upstream of a drainage channel with erodible underlying granular soils.
"Drywell"
means a well, other than an improved
				sinkhole or subsurface fluid distribution system, completed above the water
				table so that its bottom and sides are typically dry except when receiving
				fluids.
"Existing well"
means a well that is in use at the
				adoption date of this chapter.
"Fluid"
means any material or substance which
				flows or moves whether in a semisolid, liquid, sludge, gas, or any other form
				or state.
"Geologic containment system"
means the geologic
				formations that both receive the injected carbon dioxide
				(CO2) and contains or sequesters it within the system's
				physical boundaries. The containment system is a three-dimensional area with
				defined boundaries that includes one or more geologic formations.
"Geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide"
means
				the injection of carbon dioxide into subsurface geologic formations to
				permanently prevent its release into the atmosphere.
"Geologic sequestration project"
means the surface
				and underground facilities used to inject carbon dioxide for sequestration and
				includes: Geologic containment system, monitoring zone(s) and surface
				facilities described in the permit application.
"Geologic sequestration project boundary"
means a
				three-dimensional boundary defined in permit that encloses all surface and
				underground facilities of the geologic sequestration project and extends
				vertically to the overlying ground surface.
"Ground water"
means water in a saturated zone or
				stratum beneath the surface of land or below a surface water body.
"Ground water protection area"
means a geographic
				area that is by or close by a surrounding community and nontransient
				noncommunity water system, that uses ground water as a source of drinking water
				 (40 C.F.R.
				144.87)  and other sensitive ground water
				areas critical to protecting underground sources of drinking water from
				contamination; such as sole source aquifers, highly productive aquifers
				supplying private wells, critical aquifer recharge areas and/or other state and
				local areas determined by state and local governments.
"Hazardous substances"
mean any dangerous or
				extremely hazardous waste as defined in
				RCW
				   70.105.010(5) and (6)    or any
				dangerous or extremely dangerous waste as designated by rule under
				chapter
				70.105 RCW; any hazardous
				substance as defined in
				RCW
				   70.105.010(14) or any
				hazardous substance as defined by rule under
				chapter
				70.105 RCW; any substance
				that, on the effective date of this section, is a hazardous substance under
				section 101(14) of the federal cleanup law,  42 U.S.C., Sec. 9601(14); petroleum
				or petroleum products; and any substance or category of substances, including
				solid waste decomposition products, determined by the director by rule to
				present a threat to human health or the environment if released into the
				environment.
"High threat to ground water"
means, for this
				chapter, a UIC well is a high threat to ground water when it receives fluids
				that cannot meet the criteria in chapter 173-200 WAC Water quality standards
				for ground waters of Washington (GWQS) at the top of the aquifer, which
				include, but are not limited to, the following examples: A UIC well that
				receives drainage, that has not been pretreated and does not meet the GWQS;
				such as, from an area where storm water comes into contact with a vehicle
				fueling area, airport deicing activities, storage of treated lumber or vehicle
				washing; or a UIC well that receives a discharge that is determined to be an
				imminent public health hazard by a legal authority or is prohibited in this
				chapter.
"Improved sinkhole"
means a naturally occurring
				karst depression or other natural crevice found in volcanic terrain and other
				geologic settings that has been modified by man for the purpose of directing
				and emplacing fluids into the subsurface.
"Infiltration pond"
means an earthen impoundment
				used for the collection, temporary storage and infiltration of incoming storm
				water runoff.
"Infiltration trench"
means a trench used to
				infiltrate fluid into the ground, is generally at least twenty-four inches wide
				and backfilled with a coarse aggregate. Perforated pipe or a product with
				similar use may also be installed.
"Industrial wastewater"
means water or
				liquid-carried waste from industrial or commercial processes, as distinct from
				domestic wastewater. These wastes may result from any process or activity of
				industry, manufacture, trade or business, from the development of any natural
				resource, or from animal operations such as feedlots, poultry houses or
				dairies. The term includes contaminated storm water and leachate from solid
				waste facilities.
"Monitoring zone(s)"
means the geologic
				formations, identified in the application for a geologic sequestration project,
				where chemical, physical and other characteristics are measured to establish
				the location, behavior and effects of the injected carbon dioxide in the
				subsurface and to detect leakage from the geologic containment system. At a
				minimum, a monitoring zone must be established beneath the ground surface but
				outside of the geologic containment system to detect leakage of injected
				CO2 except where other monitoring is approved by the
				director.
"Motor vehicle waste disposal well"
means a Class
				V injection well that is typically a shallow disposal system that receives or
				has received fluids from vehicular repair or maintenance activities such as
				auto body repair shop, automotive repair shop, new and used car dealership,
				specialty repair shops or any facility that does any vehicular repair work (40 C.F.R.
				144.81).
"New injection well"
means an injection well that
				is put in use following the adoption date of this chapter.
"Nonendangerment standard"
means to prevent the
				movement of fluid containing any contaminant into the ground water if the
				contaminant may cause a violation of the Water quality standards for ground
				waters of the state of Washington, chapter 173-200 WAC or may cause health
				concerns.
"Nonpollution-generating surface"
means a surface
				considered to be an insignificant source of pollutants in storm water runoff
				and/or a surface not defined as a pollution-generating surface.
"Person"
means any political subdivision, local,
				state, or federal government agency, municipality, industry, public or private
				corporation, partnership, association, firm, individual, or any other entity
				whatsoever.
"Point of compliance"
means the location where the
				facility must be in compliance with chapter 173-200 WAC Water quality standards
				for ground waters of the state of Washington; the top of the aquifer, as near
				to the source as technically, hydrogeologically, and geographically
				feasible.
"Pollution"
means contamination or other
				alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties of waters of the
				state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor of the
				waters, or such discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive or other
				substance into any waters of the state as will, or is likely to, create a
				nuisance or render such waters harmful, detrimental, or injurious to the public
				health, safety or welfare, or to domestic, commercial, industrial,
				agricultural, recreational, or other legitimate beneficial uses, or to
				livestock, wild animals, birds, fish or other aquatic life.
"Pollution-generating surfaces"
mean the surfaces
				are considered a significant source of pollutants in storm water runoff.
				Pollution generating surfaces include pollution generating pervious surfaces
				and pollution generating impervious surfaces such as surfaces that are subject
				to: Regular vehicular use, industrial activities, or storage of erodible or
				leachable materials that receive direct rainfall, or the run-on or blow-in of
				rainfall, use of pesticides or fertilizers or loss of soil; or leaching such as
				from metal roofs not coated with an inert, nonleachable material, roofs that
				are subject to venting of manufacturing, commercial, or other indoor
				pollutants. Examples of commercial indoor pollutants are commercial facilities
				such as restaurants where oils and other solid particles are expected to be
				expelled. It does not include normal indoor air venting at commercial
				facilities where activities such as cooking, processing, etc., do not take
				place. Examples are: Roads, unvegetated road shoulders, bike lanes within the
				traveled lane of a roadway, driveways, parking lots, unfenced fire lanes,
				vehicular equipment storage yards, airport runways, lawns, and landscaped areas
				that apply pesticide applications; such as golf courses, parks, cemeteries, and
				sports fields except for landscaped areas that are approved infiltrative best
				management practices.
"Proper management of storm water"
means AKART has
				been provided or the well owner has demonstrated that the discharge will meet
				the nonendangerment standard.
"Radioactive waste"
means any waste which contains
				radioactive material in concentrations that exceed those listed in 10 Code of
				Federal Regulations Part 20, Appendix B, Table II, and Column 2.
"Retrofit"
means taking actions to reduce the
				pollutant load from a UIC well to meet the statutory requirements of
				40 C.F.R.
				144.12 and
				RCW
				   90.48.010. These actions may include, but are
				not limited to: Changes to the source control activities and/or structures
				around the well; an upgrade to the well such as adding a catch basin or spill
				control device; and/or addition of pretreatment facilities or decommissioning.
				The selection of actions is based on local priorities, required by the
				department or the local jurisdiction to address a documented water quality
				problem.
"Rule authorized"
means a UIC well that is
				registered with the department and meets the nonendangerment standard. If a
				well is rule authorized, it does not require a state waste discharge permit
				from the department.
"Sanitary waste"
means liquid or solid wastes
				originating solely from humans and human activities, such as wastes collected
				from toilets, showers, wash basins, sinks used for cleaning domestic areas,
				sinks used for food preparation, clothes washing operations, and sinks or
				washing machines where food and beverage serving dishes, glasses, and utensils
				are cleaned. Sources of these wastes may include single or multiple residences,
				hotels and motels, restaurants, bunkhouses, schools, ranger stations, crew
				quarters, guard stations, campgrounds, picnic grounds, day-use recreation
				areas, other commercial facilities, and industrial facilities provided the
				waste is not mixed with industrial waste.
"Septic system"
means a well that is used to
				discharge sanitary waste below the surface and is typically comprised of a
				septic tank and subsurface fluid distribution system or disposal system. (Also
				called on-site sewage system.)
"Sequestration"
means to set apart or
				remove.
"State waste discharge permit"
means a permit
				issued in accordance with chapter 173-216 WAC, State waste discharge permit
				program.
"Storm water"
means the portion of precipitation
				that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but flows via
				overland flow, interflow, pipes and other features of a storm water drainage
				system into a defined surface water body, or a constructed treatment,
				evaporation, or infiltration facility.
"Storm water manuals"
mean the
Stormwater
				Management Manual for Eastern or Western Washington
or other manuals
				approved by the department.
"Storm water pollution prevention plan"
means a
				documented plan to implement measures to identify, prevent, and control the
				contamination of storm water and its discharge to UIC wells.
"Subsurface fluid distribution system"
means an
				assemblage of perforated pipes, drain tiles, or other similar mechanisms
				intended to distribute fluids below the surface of the ground.
"Underground source of drinking water"
means
				ground waters that contain fewer than 10,000 mg/L of total dissolved solids
				and/or supplies drinking water for human consumption.
"UIC well"
or
"underground injection control
				well"
means a well that is used to discharge fluids into the subsurface.
				A UIC well is one of the following: (1) A bored, drilled or driven shaft, or
				dug hole whose depth is greater than the largest surface dimension; (2) an
				improved sinkhole; or (3) a subsurface fluid distribution system.
"Waste fluid"
means any fluid that cannot meet the
				nonendangerment standard at the point of compliance, which is the top of the
				aquifer.
"Well assessment"
means an evaluation of the
				potential risks to ground water from the use of UIC wells. A well assessment
				includes information such as the land use around the well which may affect the
				quality of the discharge and whether the UIC well is located in a ground water
				protection area. It may include the local geology and depth of the ground water
				in relation to the UIC well if the well is considered a high threat to ground
				water.
"Well injection"
means the subsurface emplacement
				of fluids through a well.
"You"
means the owner or operator of the UIC
				well.
Statutory Authority: Chapter 80.80 RCW. 08-14-011 (Order
				  07-11), § 173-218-030, filed 6/19/08, effective 7/20/08. Statutory
				  Authority:
				  Chapters
				  43.21A and
				  90.48 RCW. 06-02-065 (Order 01-10),
				  § 173-218-030, filed 1/3/06, effective 2/3/06. Statutory Authority:
				  RCW
				     43.21A.445. 84-06-023 (Order DE 84-02),
				  § 173-218-030, filed 2/29/84.