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Most Class V wells are "low tech" holes in the ground, although a few are technologically advanced wastewater disposal systems used by industry. Generally, Class V wells are shallow and rely on gravity to drain or "inject" liquid waste into the ground. Examples of Class V wells include dry wells that collect surface water runoff and industrial, commercial, and utility disposal wells. A Class V well's potential to endanger a nearby ground water resource depends largely on the type and / or quantity of waste fluid it injects. Under the UIC program, EPA and the states regulate more than 1.7 Million injection wells. Class V wells comprise more than 90 percent of the injection wells in the U.S. Class V wells may be found almost anywhere people are. But in general, they are located in rural and / or unsewered areas where people depend on ground water for their drinking water. Their simple construction provides little or no protection against possible ground water contamination, so it is important to control what goes into them. Shallow injection of wastewater from industrial and manufacturing processes can cause significant problems. For example, industrial chemicals such as solvents may be washed down sinks, or service station wastes such as oil may be flushed into service bay floor drains. These wastes can endanger drinking water sources, especially if the disposal well is a septic system. Chemicals disposed of in a septic system designed to treat sanitary waste can cause the system to malfunction and contaminate ground water. EPA Documents relating to Class V
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