OAR 340-044-0014: Prohibition of Groundwater Contamination

(1) No person shall construct, operate, maintain, convert, plug or abandon any injection system or conduct any injection activity that allows the direct or indirect movement of fluids containing contaminants into groundwater if the presence of that contaminant may cause a violation of any primary drinking water regulation under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, or fails to comply with groundwater quality protection requirements specified in OAR 340-040. The person owning or operating an injection system shall have the burden of showing that these requirements are met. (2) If an injection activity has the potential to cause or causes a violation of primary drinking water regulations, adversely impacts groundwater quality or otherwise adversely affects human health or the environment, the owner or operator of the injection system shall: (a) Take all appropriate action including closure of the injection system if necessary to prevent the violation; (b) Apply for and obtain a permit if the injection activity was previously authorized by rule; and (c) Be subject to enforcement action if appropriate.