UIC Class V Rule

Motor vehicle waste disposal wells

Motor vehicle waste disposal wells commonly receive waste fluids from floor drains, shop sinks, and other areas where motor vehicles are serviced and waste fluids are generated and/or stored. Onsite sewage disposal systems, dry wells, sumps, french drains, and any other subsurface disposal system may be considered a motor vehicle waste disposal wells if the system has been used to dispose of waste fluids associated with servicing a motor vehicle. Sampling conducted by businesses, state agencies, and the EPA has documented that motor vehicle service related waste fluids are likely to contain contaminants commonly found in solvents, fuels, lubricants, and coolants in concentrations that exceed drinking water standards.

Disposal practices using motor vehicle disposal wells have caused significant soil and ground water contamination at some facilities. Poor waste fluid management practices can present owners/operators with an unwanted and often unnecessary environmental liability. Within the past few years, private and public compliance assistance programs, environmental consultants, and business organizations have begun to advise their clients and members to limit their environmental liability by recycling or reusing waste fluids, and/or using dry shop techniques which can eliminate the need for managing liquid motor vehicle waste.

Proper closure of motor vehicle waste disposal wells can be simple or complex, depending upon the facility and the subsurface geology. In order to ensure that motor vehicle waste disposal wells are closed in a manner which prevents any future ground water contamination, the appropriate UIC program must be contacted at least 30 days prior to closure. Technical guidance about how to prepare a closure plan for EPA or state review can be obtained from the UIC program contacts listed below.

Large-capacity cesspools

Cesspools are primarily used for the disposal of sanitary waste where untreated waste is placed into directly into dry wells. In many states, the construction of new cesspools of any size has been prohibited, and existing ones are being phased out since they often violate public health regulations, and pose a threat to ground water quality. Studies by state agencies and EPA have found that large-capacity cesspools have a higher potential to impact public health and contaminate ground water due to the lack of treatment and larger volume of the sanitary waste. Large-capacity cesspools are defined as those which serve multiple residences or a non-residential facility of 20 or more people per day. More information regarding the proper closure of large-capacity cesspools can be obtained from the contacts listed below or through your local or state health departments.

General Requirements for Shallow Injection Wells

The new UIC regulations build upon the existing requirements for all types of shallow injection wells. Currently, all types of shallow injection wells must be either permitted or authorized by rule. [Rule authorization means that a shallow injection well may be operated without a permit if it is (1) inventoried/registered with the UIC program and (2) constructed, operated, maintained and closed in a manner which protects ground water quality.]

For more information regarding the Class V Rule:

(1) State Primacy Program Information

(2) General Public - "Green Techniques for Vehicle Repair Facilities"