Well Closure

(1) Compliance with M.G.L. c. 21E, CERCLA or RCRA. Each person performing a remedial activity as part of an injection well closure shall perform such activity in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 21E, 310 CMR 40.0000: Massachusetts Contingency Plan, CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. §§ 9601 through 9675, and RCRA, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 through 6992k, as applicable. (2) Minimum Closure Requirements. The owner and operator of a Class IV or Class V well shall properly close the well upon the termination of the use of the well for the type of Class IV or Class V injection for which it was permitted or registered. At a minimum, the owner and operator shall undertake the following activities: (a) eliminate well or injection: 1. the well shall be physically removed or plugged to permanently prevent the vertical movement of water within the well; all physical hazards at the ground surface associated with the well's construction or location shall be eliminated; and all inlets into the drainage system leading to the well shall be permanently sealed; or 2. the well is authorized by and permitted in accordance with 314 CMR 5.00: Ground Water Discharge Permit Program; or 3. all inlets to the well that are associated with the Class IV or Class V type of injection shall be permanently eliminated or sealed. This option may only be exercised if the well has been converted to, or was already in use for, another type of withdrawal or injection activity for which all necessary approvals have been obtained; (b) assess all soil, gravel, sludge, liquids or other materials adjacent to the injection well and all components of the drainage system leading to the injection well; (c) remove and dispose of any contaminated soil, gravel, sludge, liquids or other materials adjacent to the injection well and all contaminated components of the drainage system leading to the injection well in accordance with all federal, state, and local requirements; (d) except as provided in 310 CMR 27.10(2)(e): 1. 30 days prior to closure, submit to the Department the applicable Class V Well Pre-closure Notification Form available from the Department; and 2. within seven days following completion of closure of the injection well, submit to the Department documentation of closure on a Post-closure Notification Form available from the Department; (e) within 30 days of completion of the closure of a Class IV or Class V aquifer remediation well authorized by 310 CMR 27.05(1), submit to the Department documentation of closure on a form provided by the Department for such purpose; and (f) prior to sealing each floor drain, submit to the Department a completed Form WS1, Notice of Plumbing Inspector Approval to Seal Floor Drain. (3) Additional Closure Activities. If the Department determines that it is likely that there has been movement of injection or formation fluids into any USDW or a release or threat of release of oil and/or hazardous material to the environment, the Department may require and the owner and operator of the well shall complete any additional closure measures the Department deems necessary for the preservation of the USDW. (4) The Department's guidance document entitled, Massachusetts Closure Guidance for Underground Injection Control (UIC) Wells (including shallow injection wells), Guidance # BRP/DWM/DW/G04-3, describes methods and procedures which the Department deems likely to satisfy the requirements of 310 CMR 27.10.