Water Quality in Areas of Oil and Gas Production - Aquifer Exemptions
Introduction
The California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM), with concurrence of the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board), is considering proposals to expand current aquifer exemption designations statewide. Subject to approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the proposed aquifer exemptions would allow the State, in compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, to approve Class II injection into the identified area, either for enhanced oil recovery or for injection disposal of fluids associated with oil and gas production.
Public hearings for each proposal will be held in communities near the aquifer exemption proposals. Updated information on upcoming public hearings and aquifer exemption proposals is available on the CalGEM website.
State Water Board Concurrence Letters For Proposed Aquifer Exemptions
- Kern River - Preliminary Concurrence (5/14/2025)
- Lompoc – Final Concurrence (12/21/2022)
- Holser – Final Concurrence (12/01/2022)
- Jacalitos & Coalinga – Final Concurrence (02/26/2020)
- Midway-Sunset - Deeper Formations - Final Concurrence (03/29/2019)
- Edison – Volume 2, Chanac Formation - Final Concurrence (2/4/2019)
- South Belridge - Final Concurrence (02/04/2019)
- Sespe – Final Concurrence (01/15/2019)
- Oxnard - Preliminary Concurrence(12/07/2018)
- Edison – Volume 1, Deeper Formations – Final Concurrence (10/19/2018)
- Lost Hills Phase 1 - Final Concurrence (10/19/2018)
- Cat Canyon - Preliminary Concurrence (10/11/2018)
- North Belridge - Final Concurrence (09/05/2018)
- Cymric - Final Concurrence (06/05/2018)
- McKittrick - Final Concurrence (06/05/2018)
- Kern Front - Upper Chanac Formation Oil Sands - Final Concurrence (06/04/2018)
- Arroyo Grande - Final Concurrence Revised (5/22/2018)
- Livermore - Addendum to Final Concurrence (3/16/2018)
- Elk Hills Phase 1 - Final Concurrence (01/31/2018)
- Elk Hills Phase 2 - Final Concurrence (01/31/2018)
- Lynch Canyon - Lanigan Sands - Final Concurrence (01/17/2018)
- Poso Creek - Final Concurrence (1/17/2018)
- Livermore - Final Concurrence (12/19/2017)
- San Ardo and McCool Ranch - Final Concurrence (9/13/2017)
- Jasmin - Final Concurrence (07/13/2017)
- Kern Front - Vedder Formation - Final Concurrence (07/13/2017)
- Mount Poso - Final Concurrence (02/08/2017)
- Tejon - Final Concurrence (11/30/2016)
- Round Mountain - Final Concurrence (11/29/2016)
- Fruitvale - Final Concurrence (11/07/2016)
Documents Related to Aquifer Exemptions
- Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
- Public Resources Code (PRC) 3131
- A review of current and future beneficial uses of water (e.g. domestic, municipal, irrigation, industrial)
- Pertinent elements of Regional Water Board Basin Plan(s)
- Identification of underground sources of drinking water and exempted aquifers (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Section 144.7)
- US EPA Guidance for Review and Approval of State Underground Injection Control (UIC) Programs and Revisions to Approved State Programs
- US EPA Aquifer Exemption Checklist
Program Links
Oil and Gas Monitoring Homepage
Oil Field Produced Water:
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Questions or Comments?
Please contact us at:
OilandGas@waterboards.ca.gov
