Pennsylvania Underground Injection Wells: What you need to know

Underground injection control (UIC) program: 40 CFR 147.1951 to 147.1955

Hazardous waste permit program: 25 Pennsylvania Code (Pa. Code) 270a.1 to 270a.84

Oil and gas wells: 25 Pa. Code 78.11 to 78.18

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. The underground injection control (UIC) program requirements in Pennsylvania are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Injection wells are regulated by EPA Region 3 under the authority of the UIC program under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). In addition, Pennsylvania issues permits for disposal and enhanced recovery wells. Pennsylvania ensures that an applicant complies with the requirements of the UIC program by requiring that an applicant obtain a well permit. Therefore, in Pennsylvania, a state permit and federal permit are required when a person drills or alters a disposal or enhanced recovery well. See the state section TSDF PERMITS for more information on disposal and recovery well permitting.

• Administration and enforcement. EPA Region 3 administers and enforces the UIC program in Pennsylvania. The DEP enforces permitting regulations for oil and gas disposal and enhanced recovery wells.

OIL AND GAS WELLS

25 Pa. Code 78.11 to 78.18

A person may not drill a disposal or enhanced recovery well or alter an existing well to be a disposal or enhanced recovery well unless the person:

• Obtains a well permit,
• Submits with the well permit application a copy of ...