3/7/14 - CEASE INJECTION ORDER. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN THE UIC PERMIT PROVIDE IN PART THAT INJECTION MAY NOT COMMENCE UNTIL PERMITTEE HAS FILED NOTICE OF COMPLETION FORM 7520-10; THE WELL HAS BEEN SHOWN TO HAVE MECHANICAL INTEGRITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 40 CFR 146.8; AND PERMITTEE HAS RECEIVED WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE DIRECTOR THAT SUCH DEMONSTRATION IS SATISFACTORY.
EPA FILES REVEALED THAT THE NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE SUBJECT WELL,WAS NEVER SUBMITTED TO EPA; RESPONDENT NEVER DEMONSTRATED TO EPA THAT THE WELL HAS MECHANICAL INTEGRITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 40 CFR 146.8; NOR DID THE DIRECTOR PROVIDE WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE RESPONDENT OF A SATISFACTORY DEMONSTRATION OF MECHANICAL INTEGRITY.
ROUTINE INSPECTIONS ON APR 14, 2011 AND NOV 19, 2012, FOUND THE SUBJECT WELL TO BE ACTIVE.
THEREFORE, RESPONDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF PART C OF THE SDWA AND PERMIT CONDITIONS AT 40 CFR 144.51(a) FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT FORM 7520-10; FOR FAILING TO DEMONSTRATE TO EPA THAT THE WELL HAS MECHANICAL INTEGRITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH 40 CFR 146.8; AND FOR COMMENCING INJECTION WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING WRITTEN APPROVAL.
OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOUND IN THE PERMIT STATE THAT THE MAX ALLOWABLE INJECTION PRESSURE MEASURED AT THE WELLHEAD SHALL NOT EXCEED 450 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH (PSIG) AND THAT INJECTING AT A PRESSURE WHICH INITIATES OR PROPAGATES FRACTURES INTO THE CONFINING ZONE OR CAUSES THE MOVEMENTS OF INJECTION OR FORMATION FLUIDS INTO AN UNDERGROUND SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER IS PROHIBITE