Inventory of Class V Injection Wells Using Pocket PCs

摘要

EPA was mandated by Congress in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) to protect current andrnfuture underground sources of drinking water (USDWs). EPA has determined that Class Vrninjection wells may contaminate, or have the potential to contaminate, USDWs. Class V injectionrnwells are typically shallow fluid disposal systems that inject non-hazardous waste into or abovernthe uppermost USDW. In many situations, these Class V wells provide conduits for a variety ofrnwastes to enter the subsurface and ground water. Examples of Class V wells include industrialrnwaste disposal wells, large-capacity cesspools and septic systems, stormwater drainage wells,rnagricultural drainage wells, and other well types.rnEPA Regional staff are responsible for implementing the Underground Injection Control (UIC)rnProgram in Direct Implementation (DI) states and tribal lands (I.e., states and tribes that do notrnhave primary authorities to implement a UIC program). These EPA Regional staff arernresponsible for collecting Class V well inventory and inspection data under their DI programs.rnThe purpose of this pilot project is to research, customize, and test the use of personal digitalrnassistant (PDA) technologies to enhance the collection of inventory and inspection data,rnincluding locational and site-specific data for Class V injection wells, for input into existingrnRegional databases. This pilot project currently covers three EPA Regions (I.e., Regions 4, 5,rnand 7).rnFor this pilot project, we have performed a survey of the Class V well inventory and datarnmanagement practices across the various EPA Regions. We have also conducted a review ofrnthe hardware and software appropriate for the deployment of Pocket PCs to collect inventory andrninspection data. In addition, we have worked with EPA Regional staff to learn about their datarnmanagement and standard operation procedures. By taking into account the current work flowrnprocesses at the participating EPA Regions, we are developing Pocket PC data entryrnapplications and data transfer programs to enhance the inventory and inspection data gatheringrncapabilities of the three participating EPA Regions, and at the same time, minimize changes tornthe existing data gathering and entry procedures.rnUpon completion of this pilot project, we will evaluate the success of the project and share thernlessons learned and the applications with interested states.