Disposal and Pumping Wells Including Injection Wells
and
Treatment Technologies
Flowable wastes can be pumped into porous or permeable subsurface
rock that is protected within surrounding layers of impermeable
rock or soil. Deep well injection is used extensively for
the disposal of oil field brines. It may be used for by-products of
industrial processes at locations near a suitable geologic formation.
This method may only be applicable to non-hazardous waste
such as oil field brines, and it needs regulatory approval. Since
surrounding impermeable layers protect the disposal location, the
only other caution with this method would be the contamination
of upper layers, which may be avoided by having proper casing
for the wells.