Underground Injection Control Regulations

310 CMR 27.00b protects underground sources of drinking water by regulating the underground injection of fluids having potential to contaminate groundwater. September 13, 2002.
Web page

Fact Sheet - Registration of Discharges to the Ground From Pump Houses and Other Public Water System Facilities Including Discharges from In-line Analyzers

This Fact Sheet is intended to help determine when a discharge from a public water system facility is exempt from a Groundwater Discharge Permit and instead requires registration with the Underground Injection Control Program. Revised March 2009.
Web page

Guidelines for Ground Source Heat Pump Wells

This Guidance document is effective immediately. MassDEP anticipates posting updates to this document as we continue to evaluate issues associated with ground source heat pump wells. The March 2009 revision removes radon-222 from Table 1 and adds ethanol as an approved antifreeze additive for closed-loop wells. The use of ethanol in a UIC registered well requires the submittal of a UIC registration modification form. Revised March 2009.
MS Word 251 KB | PDF 108 KB

Massachusetts Closure Requirements for Underground Injection Control Wells (Guidance # BRP/DWM/DW/G04-3)

Revised July 2008. This guidance applies to the closure of all unauthorized and authorized-by-rule Class IV or V shallow injection wells in Massachusetts. Appendices are listed below.
MS Word 99 KB | PDF 59 KB

Appendix I. List of Massachusetts Cities & Towns by Region
Identify the MassDEP Regional Office for your community.
Web page

Appendix II. Jar Headspace Analytical Screening Procedure
Recommended procedure for conducting analytical screening of contaminated soil or groundwater utilizing a portable Photoionization Detector (PID) or Flame Ionization Detector (FID). July 2008.
Web page

Appendix III. UIC Pre-Closure Notification Form (WS-06d)
Pre-Closure notices must be filed for any UIC Class IV/V well that the owner/operator plans to close, at least thirty days prior to closure. The owner/operator may request a waiver from MassDEP of any or all of the thirty-day period. Any well that was closed that did not file a Closure Notification with the UIC program at MassDEP is required to submit the Pre-Closure Form even if the well(s) is now closed.

Within seven days following completion of closure of the injection well(s), submit documentation of closure to MassDEP on a UIC Post-Closure Form. June 2007.
Web page

Appendix IV. UIC Post-Closure Notification Form
The UIC Post-Closure Form, including all required attachments, must be submitted to MassDEP within seven days following completion of closure of the UIC Class IV or V injection well(s). 

A Pre-Closure form must be submitted to MassDEP at least thirty days prior to closure. August 2006.
Web page

Appendix V. UIC Notice of Plumbing Inspector Approval to Seal Floor Drain (BRP WS01)
If closure includes sealing a floor drain(s), the owner/operator must have the local plumbing inspector sign off on the WS-1 form and it should be attached to the UIC Post-Closure form. July 2008.
Web page

Appendix VI. Q&A Summary for the Non-technical Reader
Frequently asked questions about the UIC Program. July 2008.
Web page

Appendix VII: Response Actions Under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP)
The MCP process provides for timely cleanup actions for relatively minor releases of oil and/or hazardous material. For minor releases, this document briefly discusses such cleanup actions with respect to the closure of a shallow injection well. August 2008.
Web page

UIC Fees & Forms Information

Detailed information about UIC fees & forms, revised in October 2004.
Web page

BRP WS-06 a, b & c - Registration of Discharges to Underground Injection Wells / BRP WS-06 - Modification to an Existing UIC Registration

The well owner or operator should use this form to apply to the UIC Program for registration of an "authorized by rule" well. August 2006.
Web page

BRP WS-06e Residential Wells (four units or fewer)

Registration of Underground Discharges to Injection Wells / Modification to an Existing UIC Registration. August 2006.
Web page

Planning & Implementing a Local Floor Drain Control

Floor drain control regulations or bylaws are required by the Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations, 310 CMR 22.21(a)(8).
Web page

UIC Class V Wells - Basic Information

The Information provided explains how Class V wells work. It will help you understand how to manage your Class V well(s) to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
US EPA Web site

Minimum Requirements for Class V Wells

This page has information on the basic (minimum) requirements for owners or operators of Class V wells. EPA has established minimum requirements to prevent injection wells from contaminating underground sources of drinking water.
US EPA Web site

Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells

This page will help you determine whether you have a motor vehicle waste disposal well, understand why these wells are regulated, learn how to comply with requirements for these wells, and find other options for managing motor vehicle wastewater.
US EPA Web site

Small Entity Compliance Guide

Guidance documents from EPA to help owners and operators as well as regulatory agencies comply with the requirements for Class V wells.
US EPA Web site

Large-Capacity Cesspools

This page will help you determine if you have a large-capacity cesspool, understand why these cesspools are banned, and learn how to properly close the cesspool.
US EPA Web site

When are Storm Water Discharges Regulated as Class V Wells?

This Fact Sheet includes information on storm water management strategies that include subsurface drainage structures and information on infiltration strategies that are exempt from the UIC regulations to submit inventory information.
US EPA Web site

MassDEP Stormwater Handbook

Class V stormwater drainage wells include Dry Wells. This structural stormwater BMP is covered by UIC regulations. See the stormwater handbook's chapter on BMPs for more information.
Web page

Green Infrastructure Policy

US EPA memo on use of green infrastructure approaches (including infiltration practices that are classified as 'green') for managing stormwater, and overview of UIC program requirements for stormwater infiltration practices that are classified as Class V wells.
US EPA Web site

DCR - Well Drillers Program

The Department of Conservation and Recreation Office of Water Resources is responsible for administering well driller exams, maintaining a well completion report database, and responding to complaints regarding persons engaged in the business of well drilling.
DCR Web site
NOTE: the Well Drillers Program is being transferred to MassDEP in Fall 2009. Visit the new Well Drillers Program page.
Web page

Shallow Hazardous and Radioactive Injection Wells (Class IV)

This page describes Class IV wells and how their use protects drinking water resources, and presents the UIC Program requirements that protect underground sources of drinking water (USDWs).
US EPA Web site

Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

Geologic sequestration is the process of injecting carbon dioxide from a source, such as a coal-fired electric generating power plant, through a well into the deep subsurface. With proper site selection and management, geologic sequestration could play a major role in reducing emissions of CO2.
US EPA Web site