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Committee approves updated injection-well rules including injectate standards (Docket 370-303-2301)
Summary
The Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved revisions to IDWR’s injection-well rules (docket 370-303-2301), which reorganize the chapter, align definitions with other rules, and add a new injectate standard for recycled water (rule 55.06) to address interest in injecting recycled municipal or industrial water.
The Senate Resources & Environment Committee approved revised rules and minimum standards for the construction and use of injection wells, docket 370-303-2301, which reorganize the chapter, clarify classifications, and establish injectate-quality standards for recycled water.
Eric Bowe, the department’s Water Compliance Bureau Chief and Rules Regulation Officer, told the committee the revisions are intended to protect groundwater and public health, and to maintain primacy under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act for Class V injection wells. “The injection well rules before you today offer a set of procedures and minimum standards for the construction and use of injection wells to ensure they are constructed and operated in a manner that is both protective of our groundwater resources and public health,” Bowe said.
The reorganization splits content previously concentrated in a single rule into multiple, easier-to-search rules (20, 30, 35, 50, 52, 55, 57 and 58) and updates definitions such as ‘‘endangerment,’’ ‘‘groundwater quality standards,’’ and ‘‘underground source of drinking water’’ to align with other IDAPA rule sets and Department of Environmental Quality terminology. The department said it held five public meetings over two years for this docket, collaborated with the Department of Environmental Quality, and received moderate public participation and written and oral comments.
A notable substantive addition is rule 55.06, titled “injectate standards,” which establishes a framework for the quality of recycled water derived from municipal or industrial wastewater intended for injection. Bowe explained the addition responds to “increasing interest in injecting recycled water directly into our drinking water aquifers” and said the framework was developed with stakeholders “that is protective of our valuable groundwater resources.” The department also modified rule 55.04f to allow municipalities more flexibility to adopt innovative land-application methods for treated wastewater.
Supporters in the hearing noted the need for clarity to enable innovation while protecting aquifers. Jason Van Gilder, public works director for the City of Middleton, testified that the revised rules would enable Middleton’s subsurface drip-tape irrigation approach for applying highly treated effluent to agricultural land, reducing overspray and human contact, and that the new rules address the need without sacrificing resource protection.
Senator Harris moved to accept the docket; Senator Ben Orton seconded the motion. The committee approved the rules by voice vote.
The approved chapter addresses classification of injection wells (Rule 20), authorizations and exemptions (Rule 25), Class V requirements and permitting (Rule 30 and 35), application processing (Rule 50), construction/operation standards (Rule 52), injectate quality standards (Rule 55, including new rule 55.06), location and monitoring criteria (Rules 57 and 58), hearing processes (Rule 60) and enforcement (Rule 70). The department reported a net reduction in word count and updated cross-references for consistency with related IDAPA rules.
Votes at a glance: Docket 370-303-2301 — Motion to accept by Senator Harris; second by Senator Ben Orton; approved by voice vote (individual member roll-call not specified).
