S.C. Code Regs. § § 61-107.19.V.E.258.51

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 10, October 25, 2024

Section 61-107.19.V.E.258.51 - Groundwater Monitoring Systems

a. A groundwater monitoring system shall be installed that consists of a sufficient number of wells, installed at appropriate locations and depths, to yield representative groundwater samples from the uppermost aquifer that:

(1) Represent the quality of background groundwater that has not been affected by leakage from a landfill. A determination of background quality may include sampling of wells that are not hydraulically upgradient of the waste management area where:

(a) Hydrogeologic conditions do not allow the permittee to determine what wells are hydraulically upgradient; or,

(b) Sampling at other wells will provide an indication of background groundwater quality that is as representative or more representative than that provided by the upgradient wells; and,

(2) Represent the quality of groundwater passing the relevant point of compliance approved by the Department in Section258.40.i. The downgradient monitoring system shall be installed between the relevant point of compliance and the actual disposal area, and shall ensure detection of any groundwater contamination in the uppermost aquifer. When physical obstacles preclude installation of groundwater monitoring wells at the relevant point of compliance at existing landfills, the downgradient monitoring system shall be installed at the closest practicable distance hydraulically downgradient from the relevant point of compliance to ensure detection of groundwater contamination in the uppermost aquifer.

b. Reserved.

c. Monitoring wells shall be approved by the Department and constructed, at a minimum, to the standards established in the R.61-71.H., South Carolina Well Standards.

(1) The permittee shall submit to the Department and place in the operating record, documentation of the design, installation, development, and abandonment of any monitoring wells, piezometers and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices; and,

(2) The monitoring wells, piezometers, and other measurement, sampling, and analytical devices shall be operated and maintained so that they perform to design specifications throughout the life of the monitoring program.

d. The number, spacing, and depths of monitoring systems shall be:

(1) Determined based upon site-specific technical information that shall include thorough characterization of:

(a) Aquifer thickness, groundwater flow rate, groundwater flow direction including seasonal and temporal fluctuations in groundwater flow, and the information required by Section258.17.; and,

(b) Saturated and unsaturated geologic units and fill materials overlying the uppermost aquifer, materials comprising the uppermost aquifer, and materials comprising the confining unit defining the lower boundary of the uppermost aquifer; including, but not limited to: thicknesses, stratigraphy, lithology, hydraulic conductivities, porosities and effective porosities; and,

(2) Certified by a qualified professional and approved by the Department. Within 14 days of this certification, the permittee shall place the certification in the operating record and submit a copy to the Department.

S.C. Code Regs. § 61-107.19.V.E.258.51