SECTION 331.264. Construction and Closure Standards

All Class V aquifer recharge (AR) injection wells shall be designed, constructed, completed, and closed to prevent commingling, through the wellbore and casing, of injection waters with other fluids outside of the authorized injection zone; mixing through the wellbore and casing of fluids from aquifers of substantively different water quality; and infiltration through the wellbore and casing of water from the surface into groundwater zones.

(1) Plans and specifications. Except as specifically required in the terms of the Class V AR injection well authorization, the drilling and completion of a Class V AR injection well shall be done in accordance with the requirements of §331.132 of this title (relating to Construction Standards) and the closure of a Class V AR injection well shall be done in accordance with the requirements of §331.133 of this title (relating to Closure Standards for Injection Wells).

(A) If the project operator proposes to change the injection interval to one not reviewed and approved during the authorization process, the project operator shall notify the executive director immediately. The project operator may not inject into any unauthorized zone without prior written approval from the executive director.

(B) The executive director shall be notified immediately of any other changes, including but not limited to, changes in the completion of the AR injection well, changes in the setting of screens, and changes in the injection intervals within the authorized injection zone.

(2) Construction materials. Casing materials for Class V AR injection wells shall be constructed of materials resistant to corrosion.

(3) Construction and workover supervision. All phases of any AR injection well construction, workover or closure shall be supervised by qualified individuals who are knowledgeable and experienced in practical drilling engineering, as applicable, and who are familiar with the special conditions and requirements of injection well and water well construction.

Source Note: The provisions of this §331.264 adopted to be effective May 28, 2020, 45 TexReg 3458