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Rule Authorized Injection Systems

Rule authorization is a term used by DEQ for UIC systems that are registered, reviewed, and found not to have detrimental impact on groundwater quality, and that meet all other DEQ, state, and federal requirements. The burden of proof is on the owner/operator of the UIC system to prove that the facility is in compliance with federal and state regulations. DEQ issues rule authorization letters to the owner giving each site a UIC number in the database and each UIC system its own number specific to the site.

A copy of the Rule Authorization letter is to be kept at the site of the UIC system for inspections (local, state and federal). DEQ staff and the public can access the UIC database to determine if a site is registered and rule authorized, or call to see if a site has submitted registration forms and is in the review process. UIC systems that DEQ has not approved violate federal/state rules and are subject to fines, enforcement and third party lawsuits.

If an owner or operator of a system cannot provide the required registration data to determine if the system is "rule authorized",then they must either:

  • Close the injection system and find an alternative method of disposal,
  • Hook up, if available, to the local municipal stormwater sewer
  • Modify/update the existing system to meeting the rule authorization requirements, or
  • Apply for a DEQ Water Pollution Control Facilities permit (general or area wide) 

Basic requirements apply to all stormwater injections except single family residential roof drains. In order to meet basic requirements, the owner/operator of the UIC system must submit inventory and registration information prior to construction to DEQ for review to certify that:

  • No other waste or discharge is mixed with the stormwater.
    Example: DEQ does not require pretreatment for roof runoff, unless it contains contaminants, such as heavy metals from plating operations, carried to the roof through exhaust vents. DEQ requires parking lot runoff to have some form of approved pretreatment.

  • Stormwater runoff is minimized and no other disposal option is appropriate. If city hook ups are not available DEQ requires developers to consider the use of Low Impact Development or green options.

  • No domestic drinking water wells are present within 500 feet of the injection system.​

  • No public drinking water supply wells are present within 500 feet or the within delineated two year time-of-travel, whichever is more protective.

  • No soil or groundwater contamination is present.

  • Verify the site is not on the cleanup list (ECSI), leaking underground storage tanks list or Facility Profiler.
    Example: Site Y once was a gas station and is now proposed as a fast food site. The gas station has not been cleaned up so the site development is denied. Or, if cleanup has occurred, the UIC systems must be located where they will not mobilize any remaining contamination.

    If a site later becomes listed on ECSI and is found to be contaminated or contributing to groundwater contamination, the UIC rule authorization will be revoked.

  • The injection system is not deeper than 100 feet and does not discharge into groundwater or below highest seasonal groundwater level.

    UIC systems with wet feet (in the seasonal high water table) are a high contamination risk and are to be closed upon discovery or modified to meet requirements.

  • A confinement barrier or filtration medium must be present, or pretreatment might be needed to protect groundwater quality.

    Not all parts of the state have soils capable of providing adequate percolation and attenuation (treatment) for stormwater disposal. Disposals at depth often circumnavigate the soils’ natural ability to treat stormwater, which is associated with the topsoil layers and the presence of organics. Some form of pretreatment is needed to minimize contaminant concentrations normally found in street/parking stormwater.

  • The design and operation of the UIC system is to prevent accidental or illicit disposal, and temporary blocking of the UIC system must be available.​

Municipal owners with 50 or more UIC systems

Municipal owners with 50 or more UIC systems are required to provide additional data due to the volume being discharged and the risk to groundwater quality and public health. The additional data is to include:

  • Evaluation of the potential impacts to groundwater quality

  • Certification that the systems are not exposed to toxics

  • Stormwater management plan that includes:

    • Stormwater systems assessment

    • Systems controls (pretreatment, BMPs and source controls)

    • Injection spill prevention plan

    • Maintenance plan

    • Employee and public education

    • Annual monitoring and record keeping

All existing and new UIC systems must be able to meet the rule authorization requirements. If existing UIC systems do not meet all the requirements, then regardless of the number of UIC systems owned, DEQ will require a state area wide permit.

Small municipal systems with under 50 UIC systems must submit registration inventory data 90 days prior to construction at new sites, certify that the stormwater is not exposed to hazardous substances, and prepare and implement a written stormwater management plan. All existing UIC systems must be able to meet the rule authorization requirements. If the existing systems cannot meet all requirements then the city/county or state agency must apply for a permit unless the UIC systems can be closed and an alternate means of stormwater disposal, such as surface infiltration facilities, can be used.

Industrial and commercial facilities that handle hazardous substances, toxic materials and petroleum products must certify that stormwater is not exposed to hazardous substances, toxic materials and petroleum products. The certification shall include site assessment, location of the materials and stormwater discharge points, methods used to prevent exposure, sampling, site controls (pretreatment, BMPs), spill prevention for UIC systems, maintenance plan, information on past spills/releases, and prepare and implement a written stormwater management plan.

Industrial and commercial facilities with no hazardous substances must certify non-exposure every five years and prepare and implement a written stormwater management plan.

Large parking lots (big box) and high traffic areas with 1000 or more vehicle trips per day must certify non-exposure to hazardous substances, prepare and implement a written stormwater management plan, site assessment, site controls, annual monitoring and maintenance plan.

Small parking lots must certify non-exposure to hazardous materials and prepare and implement a written stormwater management plan. ​​​

Notification of change of status

Inventory information should be updated whenever a change occurs; for example, when a business changes ownership, when the UIC system is proposed for closure, sealed up, its use discontinued or when the site is abandoned or remodeled to serve another use. Existing registered owners and operators of UIC systems are required to notify DEQ in writing of any changes to operational status of the UIC system prior to use. DEQ can re-evaluate sites at this point in time to verify if the system is still protective of groundwater and allow or revoke the existing rule authorization.

Revocation of rule authorization

DEQ can revoke any rule authorization at a later date if a UIC system no longer complies with all requirements of rule authorization. Revocation will occur, for example, if the owner fails to install the approved pretreatment system, or is later found to be too close to a water well or submitted falsified data. Sites approved and later found to be in need of cleanup will also be revoked. 

Contact

For questions about UIC applications please contact the UIC Program via Your DEQ Online Helpdesk. Alternatively you may email the UIC program at: UIC@deq.state.or.us.

For technical UIC- related questions please contact:
Kevin Weberling
UIC Senior Hydrogeologist
503-229-6371

For questions about policy and program development please contact:

Derek Sandoz
UIC Program Coordinator
503-229-5099