Which national law regulates underground disposal of wastes in deep wells?

The national law that regulates underground disposal of wastes in deep wells is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). This act encompasses the protection of underground sources of drinking water, which includes the regulation of injection wells used for the disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. Under the SDWA, the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program establishes the standards and permits necessary to ensure that such activities do not contaminate groundwater supplies.

The SDWA is particularly focused on protecting the quality of drinking water in the United States and safeguarding public health by regulating the processes involved in the injection of fluids into the ground. This law applies to various types of injection wells, including those used to dispose of industrial waste, thereby ensuring that such activities do not pose a risk to underground water sources that are vital for drinking water supplies.

Other laws mentioned, while related to environmental protection, address different areas. For instance, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) deals more broadly with the management of hazardous waste, while the Clean Water Act (CWA) focuses on the quality of surface waters. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is primarily concerned with the cleanup of contaminated sites rather than the regulation of underground waste disposal specifically. Thus