Click here to see the UIC PROGRAM HISTORY
Updated Fact Sheet (5/2016): Washwater Discharges from Vehicle Washing
Discharges to Underground Injection Wells (Class V Wells) - Regulatory Spreadsheet
ATTENTION
FLOOR DRAINS IN VEHICLE SERVICE BAYS, THAT LEAD TO AN INJECTION WELL (LEACHFIELD, DRYWELL, PIT, ETC) OR THAT DISCHARGE TO THE GROUND SURFACE (A PRACTICE KNOWN AS "DAYLIGHTING") ARE PROHIBITED AND MUST BE CLOSED.
Floor drains that discharge fluid wastes to the soil or grounwater (leachfield, drywell, etc.) by businesses are regulated as Underground Injection Control (UIC) Wells. Floor drains that receive waste from the location within a facility where high risk activities occur (vehicular repair or maintenance activities; gas or diesel engine repair, vehicle salvage yards, hazardous material use and storage, dry cleaning, photofinishing, etc.) and discharge to soil or groundwater pose a risk to soil and groundwater quality and could contaminate a nearby water supply well. Accordingly, the UIC Program has amended its Rule (adopted October 29, 2014) and these floor drains which discharge to soil or groundwater are prohibited and must therefore be “closed”. “Closure” options include plugging with concrete, connecting to a holding tank or connecting to municipal sewer service. Links to additional information are provided below.
Please contact the UIC program to obtain Agency approval of your floor drain/ injection well closure plan. Once the UIC program has approved your closure plan and the floor drain/ injection well has been closed, please submit the appropriate injection well closure form. The “Prohibited UIC Well Closure From” should be used for high risk injection well closures, the “Permit Required UIC Well Closure Form” should be used for moderate risk injection well closures, and the “Low Risk UIC Well Closure Form” should be used for low risk or unregulated injection well closures. The “Prohibited” and “Permit Required” closure forms both contain lists of scenarios to which the forms apply. Please contact the UIC program if you have questions about which form to use. We suggest that you maintain a copy of the closure form for your own records to provide in the event of any sale or transfer of the property in the future.
- Underground Injection Control Well Closure Options
- Recommended Use and Maintenance of Holding Tanks
- Prohibited UIC Well Closure Form
- Permit Required UIC Well Closure Form
- Low Risk UIC Well Closure Form
HOW TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT
GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
- An Autobody Repair Technician's Guide to Vermont's Environmental Regulations
- Vermont Environmental Guide for Vehicle Service - (Updated 2016)
- Washwater Discharges from Vehicle Washing Fact Sheet - (Updated May 2016)
- Environmental Assistance Publications and Fact Sheets
- Potable Water Treatment Residuals
RULES
ARCHIVED RULES
ADDITIONAL LINKS
- EPA Underground Injection Control
- National Ground Water Association
- Groundwater Protection Council
- Geothermal Energy Association
- New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission – Ground & Source Water Protection
- EAO Compliance Assistance Resources
CONTACTS: Samuel Knapp | samuel.knapp@vermont.gov | 802-261-5734