Kirk Martin

Apparent Upward Migration:
Diagnostic Strategies That Can Save
Stewart J. Magenheimer, P.G.
W. Kirk Martin, P.G.,
CPG, CGWP
Your Deep Injection Well January 2013

Agenda
• UIC design in Florida
• Regulatory background
• Compliance strategies
• Diagnostic tools
• Case studies

UIC Design in Florida

Upward Migration Typical Understanding

Regulatory Background - Florida
• No fluid movement UIC standard
• On December 22, 2005, the EPA adopts final rule applicable to
Class I UIC facilities in 24 counties in Florida
• Florida adopts rule into 62-528, F.A.C.
• Provides for regulatory alternatives for Class I municipal UIC
facilities with apparent fluid migration issues
• New Class I municipal UIC facilities must meet new treatment
requirements (filtration, HLD)

Regulatory Strategies Available for Resolving
UIC Permit Compliance Issues
• Demonstrate no unacceptable fluid migration has occurred (WQ)
• Show acceptable natural attenuation/aquifer exemptions
• Develop contamination assessment/implement remediation plan
• Implement treatment
process improvements

Brevard County Location Map
Melbourne Grant
Street WRF
Brevard South
Beaches WRF

Aerial Photos of County South Beaches WRF and
Melbourne Grant Street WRF
Brevard South Beaches WRF
Melbourne Grant Street WRF
8.0 mgd
5.5 mgd

Acknowledgements
• Brevard County Utility Services Department
– Bob Adolphe, P.E., Director
– Craig Helpling, Project Manager
– Dick Martens, P.E., Former Director
• City of Melbourne Engineering Department
– Jenni Lamb, P.E., City Engineer
• City of Melbourne Public Works & Utilities Department
– Ralph Reigelsperger, P.E., Director
– Harold Nantz, P.E., Asstistant Director
• FDEP UIC Section

Brevard South Beaches WRF DIW System

South Beaches DIW Was Experiencing Apparent
Upward Migration Issues

Regulatory History
• CO issued 1993
• AO issued 1996
• SPR submitted 2007
• RFI received 2009
• FDEP – Fluid
migration evident
• Ongoing operations
maintained
• Diagnostic plan
developed

Mosaic Approach: Would the Same Well
Design Decisions Be Made?
System Design
Lithology
Groundwater
Chemistry
Regional
Hydrogeology
Geophysical Logs

Key Diagnostic Tools Considered
• Define compositional differences
between injectate and ambient groundwater
• Understand wastewater treatment processes
and sources to identify chemical approaches
• Apply non-routine tools
– Spectroscopic screening
– Microconstituent fingerprinting
– Groundwater age dating

Spectroscopic Screening Provided Economical
Means to Evaluate Water Compatibility Issues
• Exploit differences in organic material content between
wastewater and groundwater
– 3D UV fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM)
– Large-scale inexpensive screening technique
– Determines if more intensive study is needed
Impacted Sample Potential Source #1
Potential Source #2

Microconstituent Fingerprinting
• Using anthropogenic tracers
• Widely metabolized compounds
– Caffeine
– Acetaminophen

Groundwater Age Dating Supported No Upward
Migration of Injected Fluids
• Application of tritium analyses indicated significant differential
between injection well and MW3

Well Construction/Hydrostratigraphic Evaluations
Indicated Monitor Well Penetrated Confining Beds

Apparent Upward Migration Issue Was Successfully
Addressed for the Brevard South Beaches DIW
• Well design would be
different today
• Rescinded an
administrative order
• Avoided new consent order
• Redefined injection and
confinement zones
• Avoided costly wastewater
process changes
• Saved Brevard County $10M

City of Melbourne Grant Street WRF DIW System

City of Melbourne Grant Street WRF
DIW System
Melbourne Grant Street WRF

Regulatory History – Grant Street
• Consent and Administrative Orders 1988 to present
• Anomalous water quality in MW samples
• Issues with MW mechanical integrity and flow
• Water quality studies conducted – inconclusive
– Effluent/groundwater
– Age dating

Log and Lithologic Evaluation Supported
Demonstration of Confinement

Water Quality Data Trends Indicated Anomalies
• Merge of data sets
• Sharp change in 1996

Pressure Trends Confirmed Anomalies
• Merging trends

Well Construction/Hydrostratigraphic Evaluations
Indicated Monitor Wells in Communication

Mechanical Integrity Issue Indicated
• Installation of new monitor wells

Conclusions Developed From Upward Migration
Evaluations in Brevard County
• Detailed microconstituent and spectroscopy shows promise
• Tritium analyses – mixed results
• Understanding of site hydrostratigraphy is improved with
operational data and new diagnostic tools applied
• Evaluate the system design in total
• Multi-level diagnostic strategies needed – just one won’t do
• Don’t give up – look hard

Apparent Upward Migration:
Stewart Magenheimer PG
Diagnostic Strategies That Can
Kirk Martin PG
Save Your Deep Injection Well January 2013