Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Title 122 - NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 17 - CONSTRUCTION AND SITING REQUIREMENTS; CLASS I, III, and V INJECTION WELLS AND MINERAL PRODUCTION WELLS
Section 122-17-005 - Specific Requirements for Class V Injection Wells

Universal Citation: 122 NE Admin Rules and Regs ch 17 ยง 005

Current through March 20, 2024

005.01 All Class V well designs shall be submitted to the Department for approval prior to their construction. Minimum setback distances outlined in this Section are for guidance; the Department will review each Class V well siting on a case-by-case basis.

005.02 Designs for domestic wastewater disposal wells as defined in Chapter 2, 005.17C shall be submitted by a professional engineer and designed, sited and constructed according to Title 124 - Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation, and Maintenance of On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems. Minimum setback distances are outlined in Table 17.1 below; a more detailed table of setback distances can be found in Title 124, Chapter 5, Table 5.1.

TABLE 17.1 - Setbacks for Class V Domestic Wastewater Disposal Wells

Receptor

Minimum Setback Distance

Domestic Water Well

100 feet

Community Water Well

1,000 feet

All Other Water Wells

100 feet

Water Lines

25 - 100 feet (depending on type of line)

Property Lines

5 feet

Foundations

10 - 40 feet (depending on type of foundation)

Surface Water

50 feet

005.03 All Class V wells, with the exception of those specified in 005.02 of this Chapter, that are constructed above and do not inject into the uppermost aquifer shall be designed, sited and constructed using the following criteria:

005.03A Wells must be cased with a material that will have the integrity to keep the formation from collapsing for the life of the well and be compatible with the fluid to be injected;

005.03B Wells that have the potential to accept fluids from areas that may generate waste from vehicles (i.e. parking lots) must be equipped with an integral oil/water separator.

005.03C The casing may be open at the bottom or perforated to allow for the injected fluids to be released;

005.03D The surface completion must incorporate a grate or perforated cover to prevent endangerment to persons and/or livestock. The examples illustrated below are only a few variations, other designs may be acceptable;

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005.03E The surface completion must be designed to accept only the fluids for which the well is authorized or permitted to accept;

005.03F The total depth of the well must not exceed 20 feet and maintain a minimum separation distance of four (4) feet between the bottom of the casing and the static water level, the seasonal high ground water and/or any confining bed. This four (4) feet separation distance may need to be increased based on the characteristics of the injection fluids;

005.03G All Class V wells that are constructed above and do not inject into the uppermost aquifer with exception of those specified in 005.02 of this Chapter must be sited using the minimum setback distances outlined in Table 17.2 below:

TABLE 17.2 - Setbacks for Class V wells constructed above the water table with the exception of those specified in 005.02

Receptor

Minimum Setback Distance

Domestic Water Well

100 feet

Community Water Well

1,000 feet

Non-community Water Well

500 feet

All Other Water Wells

100 feet

Sewer Lines

25 feet

Pressure Water Lines

25 feet

Suction Water Lines

100 feet

Property Lines

5 feet

Basements/Footings

30 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.02

100 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.03

25 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.04

25 feet

Septic Tanks

50 feet

Surface Water

50 feet

005.04 All Class V wells that inject into or are constructed through the uppermost aquifer shall be designed, sited and constructed using the following criteria:

005.04A The well shall only inject into one aquifer and be constructed in a manner that does not allow movement of the injected fluids into another aquifer.

005.04B If the well penetrates more than one aquifer, the aquifer(s) being penetrated must be sealed with cement or surface casing in a manner that will not allow the injected fluids to migrate.

005.04C Well casing must be composed of new manufactured material compatible with the fluid to be injected and the formation water in which it is placed,
005.04C1 The well casing must be watertight and be pressure rated using the following formula but no less than 160 pounds per square inch (psi):

(((d1 - d2) x 0.434) + pt) x 1.20 = minimum pressure rating

d1 = depth of well bore measured from the ground surface in feet

d2 = depth of static water measured from ground surface in feet

pt = total pressure produced by injection activities in psi (i.e. combined head of piping + transfer pump pressure capabilities)

005.04D2 The casing shall be centered in the bore hole in areas of the bentonite seal and cement/bentonite such that there is a uniform annular space of a minimum of two (2) inches in width.

005.04E Wells must utilize a new screen, manufactured with a material compatible with the fluid to be injected,
005.04E1 The screen must be placed a minimum distance below the seasonal low water table to allow for a minimum two (2) foot bentonite seal.

005.04F Prior to placing the bentonite seal, filter pack shall be placed around the screen either manually through the annulus or naturally and allowed to stabilize to a point two and one-half ( 2.5 ) times the casing diameter above the screen apertures.
005.04F1 Filter pack shall be designed to prevent the formation materials and the filter pack itself from entering the screen upon development of the well.

005.04G A cement/bentonite grout shall be placed in the annulus after the bentonite seal to a point four (4) feet below the ground surface and consist of a mixture of cement and bentonite in the following proportion:
005.04G1 Seven and one-half ( 7.5) gallons of fresh water and two and one-half ( 2.5) pounds of powdered or pulverized bentonite per ninety four (94) pounds of Type II portland cement. No curing additives shall be added to the grout.

005.04G2 The cement/bentonite grout shall be placed by tremie or by pressure. In no case shall the concrete/bentonite grout be allowed to drop free-fall more than ten (10) feet.

005.04H The well shall be located or the site graded so that surface drainage is away from the well. Surface completions shall be constructed using one of the following:
005.04H1 Connections made below the ground surface must utilize a pitless adapter which must extend at least twelve (12) inches above the ground surface.

005.04H2 Connections made above the ground require a sanitary well cap and a well house over the connections to prevent tampering. The well casing must extend at least twelve (12) inches above the ground surface.

005.04I All Class V wells that inject into or are constructed through the uppermost aquifer must be sited using the minimum setback distances outlined in Table 17.3 below.:

TABLE 17.3 - Setbacks for Class V wells constructed into the water table

Receptor

Minimum Setback Distance

Domestic Water Well

100 feet

Community Water Well

1,000 feet

Non-community Wells

500 feet

All Other Water Wells

25 feet

Sewer Lines

25 feet

Pressure Water Lines

25 feet

Suction Water Lines

50 feet

Property Lines

5 feet

Basements/Footings

10 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.02

100 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.03

25 feet

Class V Wells Specified in 005.04

25 feet

Septic Tanks

50 feet

Surface Water

50 feet

005.04J Injection fluids shall be placed into the well via drop tubing. The drop tubing shall be selected using the following criteria:
005.04J1 The tubing shall be composed of a manufactured material compatible with the fluid to be injected and the formation water in which it is placed,

005.04J2 The tubing shall be placed into the well through a sanitary seal or pitless adapter.

005.04J3 The tubing must be pressure rated using the formula described in 005.04D1 of this Chapter but with a minimum rating of 160 psi.

005.04J4 The tubing must be open ended (not screened) and must extend a minimum of five (5) feet into the static water in the well.

005.04K A mechanical or inflatable packer may be used in conjunction with the tubing. The packer should be placed no greater than ten (10) feet above the top of the screen.

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