Underground Liquid Waste Disposal:By the Task Committee on underground Liquid Waste Disposal of the Committee on Ground-Water Hydrology of the Hydraulics Division

As of mid-1973, at least 278 industrial wastewater injection wells had been constructed in 24 states. Statistics concerning these wells are presented and their environmental impact appraised. A few states have specific laws and regulations concerning such wells, but most states use existing general statutes. Straight-line projections would indicate that about 614 wells will have been constructed by 1985 and 1,034 by 2000. Brine wastes are the most likely to continue to be injected in the future. It is estimated that strict interpretation of present Federal law would cause the production of more than 200 mgd of brine that would require disposal by injection or other means as compared with 24 mgd that was being injected in 1973. The policies and procedures adopted by ORSANCO are suggested as a model for others to consider.