Underground Injection Control Permit

Tennessee permits all well types with the exception of Class VI wells.

Well injection types are classified as:

• Class I (deep well industrial)
• Class II (oil field brine)
• Class III (mineral extraction)
• Class IV (hazardous waste)
• Class V (shallow, non-hazardous)
• Class VI (geo-sequestration of carbon dioxide)

Who Needs One?

• Anyone who discharges industrial/commercial wastewater or stormwater into a subsurface system is required to submit an underground injection control (UIC) application to the Tennessee Division of Water Resources, Drinking Water Unit.
  
• The operation of a single family domestic waste disposal system requires a construction permit from the Division of Water Resources but does not require a UIC permit.

What Information Must I Provide?

Class I:

Anyone interested in a Class I well should contact the Division of Water Resources for application information.

Class II:

Class II applicants must submit the following items for review and require reporting to the Division on forms that are included in the table below.

• Authorization Application For Class II Underground Injection Well, which contains three parts.
  • Part A - Requires general information concerning the name and location of the facility, oil field, the activities conducted that require a permit, the nature of the business, the contact person and other required environmental permits.
  • Part B - Requires information regarding the injection well, injection zone, the injected fluid, operation status and parameters.
  • Attachments - This section requires information concerning the area lying within and below a one-mile radius of the injection well pump site or facility; this includes surface geographic features, subsurface geology and demographic and cultural features. It also includes all information listed in the Class II Application Attachment Guidance Document.​

Class V:

Class V applicants must submit the following items for review.

• Authorization Application For Class V Underground Injection Well, which contains three parts.
  • Part A - Requires general information concerning the name and location of the facility, the activities conducted that require a permit, the nature of the business, the contact person and other required environmental permits.
  • Part B - Requires information regarding the injection well, injection zone, the injected fluid, operation status and parameters.
  • Part C - Requires information concerning the area lying within and below a one-mile radius of the injection well pump site or facility; this includes surface geographic features, subsurface geology and demographic and cultural features.
• Attachments such as topographic and geologic quadrangle maps, schematic diagrams showing construction details and materials of the well, chemical analysis data of the injection fluid, process descriptions, procedures for operation and maintenance, geologic/geographic information collected during construction, facility blueprints, and erosion and sediment control construction diagrams may be required.

How Will My Application Be Processed?

When a injection well application is received, the Division will review it for completeness and notify the applicant of any deficiencies. 

Class II wells are authorized by individual permit. This requires a public notice and opportunity for public comment. Class II well applications are reviewed within sixty (60) days of submittal. A permit may take up to six (6) months to process.

Class V wells generally are authorized by reference in the Tennessee Rules for Underground Injection Control. In this case, the applications are reviewed within two (2) to four (4) weeks. If the proposed project is complex, the Division will issue a permit rather than an authorization. A permit may take up to six (6) months to process.

What Fees Are Required?

There are fees for injection wells.

• Class I, Class II and Class III - Contact the Division of Water Resources for more information. 
• Class V well applications fees are paid online through the TDEC Forms Portal. Users will register for an account and then can search for the UIC form and make the appropriate payment for the Class V UIC well type chosen. Questions regarding applications or fee types can be emailed to Crittenden.Stender@tn.gov.

What Are My Rights And Responsibilities After The Permit Is Approved?

The applicant may proceed with the approved activities as stated in the permit and the rules. The permit/authorization is not transferable, but modifications can be made. In the case of a denial, the applicant has 30 days to file a petition with the Water Quality Oil and Gas Board.

Applicants are responsible for meeting the operational requirements and conditions stated in the permit and in the rules. These include, but are not limited to, construction standards, operating requirements, monitoring, submittal of quarterly monitoring reports and other requirements as stated in the rule.

What Are The Division's Rights And Responsibilities After The Permit Is Approved?

The Division has the right to inspect a facility annually or as deemed necessary. The Division has the right to revoke or suspend a permit for noncompliance of any standards, limitations or other requirements. Violators are subject to civil penalties up to $10,000 per day.

Whom Do I Contact For Applications, Assistance And Other Information?

Applicants may obtain applications and information from the Tennessee Division of Water Resources, Underground Injection Control Program. New applicants who need more than one permit can contact their Environmental Field Office for further assistance.

Applicants may refer to the following publications for further information:

• TDEC Rule Chapter 0400-45-06: Underground Injection Control
• Tennessee Code § 69-3-101 et seq.: The Water Quality Control Act of 1977, as amended
• 40 CFR § 144: Underground Injection Control Program

Crit Stender
Crittenden.Stender@tn.gov
615-454-0492