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1 <br /> IV. CLASS IV AND V WELL CLOSURE GUIDELINES <br /> When any Class IV or Class V well threatens to violate a primary drinking water <br /> regulation or otherwise causes conditions that may adversely affect public health, EPA <br /> Region 9, upon learning of such violation or conditions, will require closure of the well. <br /> Closure must then be accomplished in such a manner as to ensure that no movement of <br /> fluid containing any contaminant will move into underground sources of drinking water <br /> (USDWs). As an element of proper well closure, Region 9 may require cleanup of soil <br /> and/or groundwater in and around the Class IV or V well. <br /> To meet EPA requirements, well closure should, at a minimum, include the <br /> elements of the following guidelines: <br /> 1. Provide an acceptable alternative to well discharge for disposal of waste fluids. <br /> The alternative must comply with all regulations such that no violation or future <br /> violation of primary drinking water standards will result. EPA requests the use of <br /> management practices that reduce the amount of contaminants released into the <br /> environment through product changes, improved operating practices, reuse of materials, <br /> onsite closed-loop recycling, on and off-site reclamation, and water conservation. <br /> 2. Identify the locations of all drains, drain lines, drywells, and cesspools or septic <br /> systems at the facility. <br /> 3. Contact EPA at least seven (7) days in advance of any site operations relating to <br /> closure activities. <br /> 4. Take representative samples from the liquid and/or sludge phase present in the <br /> drain(s) and the well(s) or septic tank(s) in accordance with the procedures described in <br /> "Sampling Methods and Procedures" under "Sample Collection". Have the samples <br /> analyzed for volatile organics, metals, total petroleum hydrocarbons and oil and grease in <br /> accordance with the methods described under "Sample Analysis" and, when necessary, <br /> prepared in accordance with the methods for the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching <br /> Procedure (TCLP) in 40 C.F.R. Part 261 Appendix R as amended June 29, 1990. Copies <br /> of sampling and analysis results, and results of all quality control samples, must be <br /> submitted to EPA. <br /> 5. Remove the contents from the drains and drain lines and the well(s) or septic <br /> tank(s) and determine appropriate disposal methods based on the results of the sample <br /> analyses. The owner/operator is ultimately responsible for proper disposal of all wastes, <br /> and should carefully review all arrangements for disposal to ensure compliance with <br /> federal, state and local regulatory requirements. <br /> 7 <br />