Georgia Underground Injection Wells: What you need to know

State hazardous waste management rules: Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (GRR): 391-3-11-.01(2)

Underground Injection Control (UIC): GRR 391-3-6-.13

Drinking water: GRR 391-3-6-.13(4)

Prohibited wells: GRR 391-3-6-.13(16)

Plugging and abandonment: GRR 391-3-6-.13(14)

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Watershed Protection Branch Regulatory Support Program

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. Although Georgia has incorporated many of the federal hazardous waste regulations, the federal permit-by-rule and operating requirements for underground injection wells have not been adopted into Georgia's hazardous waste management program.

Georgia requires that all new and existing underground injection wells be covered under an EPD-issued permit. However, the state has an informal policy (not included in its regulations) that discourages the permitting of new underground injection wells and encourages the closing of underground injection wells that are currently operating. Certain wells are expressly prohibited within the state regulations.

• Administration and enforcement. The DNR Watershed Protection Branch administers and enforces the underground injection well rules.

UIC PERMITS

Permits are issued under Rules for Underground Injection Control, which is part of the Rules for Water Quality Control. The UIC rules do not allow the injection of any substances (including hazardous waste or toxic chemicals) that would pose a threat to the state's underground sources ...