New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 6 - WATER QUALITY
Part 2 - GROUND AND SURFACE WATER PROTECTION
Section 20.6.2.5203 - CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR CLASS I NON-HAZARDOUS WASTE INJECTION WELLS AND CLASS III WELLS

Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.6.2.5203

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024

A. Persons applying for approval of a Class I non-hazardous waste injection well, or a Class III well or well field shall identify the location of all known wells, drill holes, shafts, stopes and other conduits within the area of review which may penetrate the injection zone, in so far as is known or is reasonably available from the public records. For such wells or other conduits which are improperly sealed, completed, or abandoned, or otherwise provide a pathway for the migration of contaminants, the discharger shall address in the proposed discharge plan such steps or modifications (corrective action) as are necessary to prevent movement of fluids into ground water having 10,000 mg/l or less TDS except for fluid movement approved pursuant to Section 20.6.2.5103 NMAC.

B. Prior to operation, or continued operation of a well for which corrective action is required pursuant to Subsections A or D of Section 20.6.2.5203 NMAC, the discharger must demonstrate that:

(1) All required corrective action has been taken; or

(2) Injection pressure is to be limited so that pressure in the injection zone does not cause fluid movement through any well or other conduit within the area of review into ground water having 10,000 mg/l or less TDS except for fluid movement approved pursuant to Section 20.6.2.5103 NMAC. This pressure limitation may be removed after all required corrective action has been taken.

C. In determining the adequacy of corrective action proposed in the discharge permit application, the following factors will be considered by the secretary:

(1) Chemical nature and volume of the injected fluid;

(2) Chemical nature of native fluids and by-products of injection;

(3) Geology and hydrology;

(4) History of the injection and production operation;

(5) Completion and plugging records;

(6) Abandonment procedures in effect at the time a well, drill hole, or shaft was abandoned; and

(7) Hydraulic connections with waters having 10,000 mg/l or less TDS

D. In the event that, after approval for a Class I non-hazardous waste injection well or Class III well has been granted, additional information is submitted or it is discovered that a well or other conduit within the applicable area of review might allow movement of fluids into ground water having 10,000 mg/l or less TDS except for fluid movement approved pursuant to Section 20.6.2.5103 NMAC, the secretary may require action in accordance with Subsection I of Section 20.6.2.5101 and Subsection B Section 20.6.2.5203 NMAC.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.