Section 9-4 - Control of Subsurface Discharges; Permit Required; Exemptions (a) New subsurface discharges shall be allowed only pursuant to the Act and provisions of Water Quality Rules and Regulations Chapter 8, Quality Standards for Wyoming Groundwaters, and these regulations.
(b) No new subsurface discharge to Groundwaters of the State shall be allowed: - (i) Unless a permit has been obtained from the Department; or
- (ii) Unless the discharge is exempt from the requirements of these regulations.
(c) Specifically exempt from these permitting regulations are: - (i) New discharges associated with mineral exploration and water, including geothermal well drilling:
- (A) Drilling fluids and additives used in drilling or development; and
- (B) Pits constructed or utilized to hold drilling fluids or drilling wastes.
- (ii) New discharges associated with the drilling of oil and gas production wells:
- (A) Drilling fluids and additives; and
- (B) Pits constructed or utilized to hold drilling fluids or drilling wastes.
- (iii) New discharges for the purpose of storage of oil and gas or other hydrocarbons.
- (iv) New discharges for the purpose of the enhanced recovery of naturally occurring oil and gas.
- (v) Aboveground facilities authorized by permits issued pursuant to Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations.
- (vi) Overburden replacement associated with mining operations authorized by permits issued pursuant to Land Quality Division Rules and Regulations of the Department.
- (vii) Facilities authorized pursuant to Solid Waste Management Rules and Regulations of the Department.
- (viii) Skim ponds associated with oil production.
(d) Existing subsurface discharges to Groundwaters of the State excluded or exempt from these regulations are those originating from: - (i) Aboveground domestic sewage treatment and disposal facilities, including individual disposal systems constructed prior to January 15, 1975;
- (ii) Any kind of facility mentioned in Section 4. (c) that is existing and operating at the time these regulations go into effect.