---
kind: "section"
citation: "40 C.F.R. § 144.33"
title: "40"
number: "144.33"
heading: "Area permits."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/40/144.33"
---

# §144.33. Area permits.

- (a) The Director may issue a permit on an area basis, rather than for each well individually, provided that the permit is for injection wells:
  - (1) Described and identified by location in permit application(s) if they are existing wells, except that the Director may accept a single description of wells with substantially the same characteristics;
  - (2) Within the same well field, facility site, reservoir, project, or similar unit in the same State;
  - (3) Operated by a single owner or operator; and
  - (4) Used to inject other than hazardous waste; and
  - (5) **Other than Class VI wells.**
- (b) Area permits shall specify:
  - (1) The area within which underground injections are authorized, and
  - (2) The requirements for construction, monitoring, reporting, operation, and abandonment, for all wells authorized by the permit.
- (c) The area permit may authorize the permittee to construct and operate, convert, or plug and abandon wells within the permit area provided:
  - (1) The permittee notifies the Director at such time as the permit requires;
  - (2) The additional well satisfies the criteria in [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section and meets the requirements specified in the permit under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section; and
  - (3) The cumulative effects of drilling and operation of additional injection wells are considered by the Director during evaluation of the area permit application and are acceptable to the Director.
- (d) If the Director determines that any well constructed pursuant to [paragraph (c)](#c) of this section does not satisfy any of the requirements of [paragraphs (c)](#c) (1) and (2) of this section the Director may modify the permit under [§ 144.39](/cfr/40/144.39.md), terminate under [§ 144.40](/cfr/40/144.40.md), or take enforcement action. If the Director determines that cumulative effects are unacceptable, the permit may be modified under [§ 144.39](/cfr/40/144.39.md).

## Notes

### Amendments

[48 FR 14189, Apr. 1, 1983, as amended at 75 FR 77288, Dec. 10, 2010]

### Authority

Authority: Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.

### Source

Source: 48 FR 14189, Apr. 1, 1983, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[48 FR 14189, Apr. 1, 1983, as amended at 75 FR 77288, Dec. 10, 2010]