The EPA has added new requirements to the Federal Underground Injection Control (UIC regulations 40 CFR 144-146) for Class V injection wells. Class V wells are generally shallow waste disposal or storm water wells that are used to inject only non-hazardous materials. Septic systems are also considered Class V injection wells.

The regulations ban large-capacity cesspools (covered pits into which untreated sewage is discharged) and new motor vehicle waste (MVW) disposal wells. The rules apply nationwide. The Federal rules require that all MVW wells operating prior to April 5, 2000 must be abandoned or permitted by January 1, 2005. The DEP will be incorporating these additions into the NJPDES Regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:14A), when they are reissued in Spring 2002.

Complying with the new requirements should not be very burdensome. Unpermitted MVW disposal wells are already illegal under the NJPDES Regulations, and new cesspools of any size have been banned since the Standards for Individual Subsurface Sewage Disposal Systems (N.J.A.C. 7:9A) became operative in 1990.

Motor Vehicle Waste Disposal Wells

NJPDES permits for MVW wells (in accordance with the Federal regulations) will require effluent monitoring at a point prior to the point of injection, where the effluent must meet Ground Water Quality Standards. Meeting such standards will likely require treatment of effluent before disposal.

The vast majority of MVW waste generators of do not use underground injection for disposal. Commonly, the liquid waste is stored onsite temporarily until it is hauled offsite for disposal or recycling. DEP's efforts to identify Class V wells that receive automotive waste have been ongoing.

Large Capacity Cesspools

The Federal regulations mandate that all large-capacity cesspools, regardless of age, will be closed by January 1, 2005. Although N.J.A.C. 7:9A did not require closure or automatic upgrades of sewage disposal systems which existed prior to 1990, it has prohibited the construction of new cesspools. However, these rules govern septic systems with a design capacity of 2000 gallons per day or less. In New Jersey, a "large-capacity cesspool" is a cesspool with a design capacity of more than 2000 gallons per day. These large cesspools are regulated through the NJPDES program.

The Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control issued a general NJPDES permit, designated the "T1", to authorize discharges from large septic systems that were installed prior to the promulgation of the septic system rules. It is anticipated that there are very few systems fitting this description.

All owners of Class V injection wells that are subject to the NJPDES regulations are required to submit inventory information. Owners of either MVW drywells or cesspools, with a design capacity of more than 2000 gallons per day, should contact the Underground Injection Control Program in the Bureau of Nonpoint Pollution Control at (609) 292-0407 for further information and inventory and closure guidance.