Study of Current Underground Injection Control Regulations and Practices in Illinois

In 1984, the Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources was required to assess the regulations and practices of the Illinois Underground Injection Control (UIC) program as it relates to Class I hazardous waste disposal wells. Nine injection wells, including two standbys (one inactive), are currently in operation at seven sites in the state. These wells range in depth from 1540 to 5524 feet (470 to 1683m; most inject wastes into porous carbonate formations (two wells inject into a thick sandstone). In 1984, approximately 300 million gallons (1.1 billion liters) of industrial wastes were disposed of in these wells. Acids were the most common waste disposed of, although water made up 70 to 95 percent of the wastes by volume. Illinois has been granted primacy in operating this program.
The geologic environment, consisting of the unit accepting the waste and confining units lying above and below, has the capacity to accept the waste, to retain it, and to protect all underground sources of drinking water (USDW) from contamination by its injection. The geology of Illinois is relatively simple and includes disposal zones and associated confining units suitable for deep-well injection across the central two-thirds of the state.
The regulatory structure for Class I injection wells is generally adequate in concept and scope to ensure containment of injected wastes and to safeguard underground sources of drinking water in Illinois. There is a need to update and strengthen selected portions of the regulatory practices in the areas of waste sampling protocol, chemical analysis of collected waste samples, and evaluation of injection well testing and monitoring data.
A number of technologies exist that can treat and dispose of most hazardous and non-hazardous waste streams. Each of these technologies has associated with it economic, environmental and societal impacts.