4/19/16 - CEASE INJECTION ORDER ISSUED.
ON JAN 6, 2015, DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION THE EPA-AUTHORIZED UIC FIELD INSPECTOR FOUND THE SUBJECT WELLS WERE CONNECTED VIA AN INJECTION LINE TO A TANK FARM THAT WAS MARKED WITH DIVISION OF WATER TANK NO. 1290090.
THE TANK FARM CONSISTS OF TANKS PLUMBED TOGETHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING FLUIDS BROUGHT TO THE SITE BY TRUCKS. THE FLUIDS ARE TRANSFERRED FROM THE TRUCKS INTO THE TANKS AT AN UNLOADING PAD.
ON SEPT 9, 2015, DURING A FOLLOWUP INSPECTION OF THE WELLS AT THE TANK FARM, THE INSPECTOR DISCOVERED FLUIDS FROM THE TANK FARM BEING ACTIVELY INJECTED INTO THE WELLS.
EPA'S RECORDS REVEALED THAT NO PERMIT WAS ISSUED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE WELLS, NOR ANY AUTHORIZATION GIVEN BY EPA FOR THE INJECTION OF FLUIDS INTO THE SUBJECT WELLS.
EPA'S RECORDS ALSO INDICATED THAT THE WELLS WERE NOT RULE AUTHORIZED, AS NO INVENTORY INFO FOR THE WELLS HAD BEEN SUBMITTED AS REQUIRED BY 40 CFR 144.26 FOR RULE AUTHORIZATION.
40 CFR 144.11 PROHIBITS ANY UNDERGROUND INJECTION OR CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELL THAT IS NOT AUTHORIZED BY RULE OR BY AN ISSUED PERMIT. ANY VIOLATION OF A UIC REG ALSO CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF THE SDWA.
THEREFORE, RESPONDENT IS IN VIOLATION OF PART C OF THE SDWA AND 40 CFR 144.11 FOR UNAUTHORIZED CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERGROUND INJECTION WELL AND UNAUTHORIZED UNDERGROUND INJECTION.
ORDER:
RESPONDENT IS HEREBY ORDERED TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE INJECTION INTO THE SUBJECT WELLS AND REMOVE THE