§6939b Interim Control of Hazardous Waste Injection

Summary

Stops putting hazardous waste underground by injection into a rock layer that holds drinking water within one-quarter mile of the injection well, or by injecting waste above that layer. The ban began six months after November 8, 1984, unless a State already had the same or tougher rules under the Safe Drinking Water Act before that date. It does not block pumping contaminated groundwater and returning it to the same aquifer when that is part of a cleanup under sections 9604 or 9606 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or part of required corrective action, so long as the water is treated to greatly reduce hazardous parts and the cleanup will protect people and the environment when finished. The ban can also be enforced under the Safe Drinking Water Act in States that have adopted equal or stricter bans and taken primary enforcement responsibility, or where the Administrator has done so and is enforcing them. Primary enforcement responsibility — who runs SDWA enforcement. Underground source of drinking water — an aquifer used for drinking water. Formation — the rock or soil layer where injection happens. Well — the hole used to inject or withdraw fluids. Safe Drinking Water Act means title XIV of the Public Health Service Act.