Massachusetts Underground Injection Wells: What you need to know

Underground injection: 310 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 27.01 to 27.11 and 310 CMR 30.604

Prohibited activities: 310 CMR 27.04

Registration: 310 CMR 27.08

Closure: 310 CMR 27.10

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Bureau of Resource Protection

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. The Massachusetts Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program was established as part of the 1974 federal Safe Drinking Water Act. This program follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules, but is more stringent in that specific activities are prohibited in Massachusetts. The state has also established stringent registration and closure requirements for Class IV and Class V wells.

• Administration and enforcement. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Bureau of Resource Protection administers and enforces the UIC Program in Massachusetts.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES

310 CMR 27.04

The following activities are prohibited in Massachusetts:

• Injection of fluids into or through any injection well or to construct, install, operate, or maintain any Class I, II, or III injection well.
• Class IV wells can only be constructed, installed, operated, or maintained when they are part of a response action conducted or performed in compliance with the federal or state remediation regulations.
• Injections into or through registered Class V wells are prohibited if the movement of fluid contains any pollutant that introduces these pollutants into underground sources of drinking water or may impair the use of ...