Aquifer exemptions.

(a) After notice and opportunity for a public hearing, the Administrator may designate any aquifer or part of an aquifer as an exempted aquifer. (b) An aquifer or its portion that meets the definition of a USDW may be exempted by EPA from USDW status if the following conditions are met: (1) It does not currently serve as a source of drinking water, and (2) It cannot now and will not in the future serve as a source of drinking water because: (i) It is hydrocarbon producing, or can be demonstrated by a permit applicant as a part of a permit application for a Class II operation to contain hydrocarbons that are expected to be commercially producible (based on historical production or geologic information); or (ii) It is situated at a depth or location which makes recovery of water for drinking water purposes economically or technologically impractical; or (iii) It is so contaminated that it would be economically or technologically impractical to render that water fit for human consumption; or (3) The Total Dissolved Solids content of the groundwater is more than 3,000 and less than 10,000 mg/1 and it is not reasonably expected to supply a public water system.