SECTION 165:10-7-34. Use of reclaimed water in oil and gas operations

(a)   Scope. This Section shall cover the permitting and use of reclaimed water from Department of Environmental Quality authorized facilities in oil and gas operations. Reclaimed water is wastewater from municipal wastewater treatment and/or public water supply treatment plants that has gone through various treatment processes to meet specific water quality criteria with the intent of being used in a beneficial manner.

(b)   Permit required. No person shall use reclaimed water in oil and gas operations without applying for and obtaining a permit issued under this Section. An operator using reclaimed water without a permit may be fined up to $2,000.00.

(c)   Who may apply. Only operators authorized to operate wells pursuant to OAC 165:10-1-10 may apply for this permit.

(d)   Required form and attachments. Each application to use reclaimed water in oil and gas operations shall be submitted to the Manager of Field Operations on Form 1014RW. The form shall be properly completed and signed. Attached to the form shall be the following:

(1)   Analysis of reclaimed water proposed to be used in oil and gas operations. Samples of reclaimed water shall be analyzed by a laboratory operated by the State of Oklahoma or accredited by the Department of Environmental Quality or in the North American Proficiency Testing System. Parameters for analysis of the reclaimed water shall include, but not be limited to, Total Dissolved Solids or Total Soluble Salts.

(2)   Copies of all chain of custody forms related to sampling.

(3)   A topographic map and the most recent aerial photograph (minimum scale 1:660) of the site where the reclaimed water is proposed to be used.

(4)   Other information as required by this Section or requested by the Manager of Field Operations.

(e)   Review period. The Manager of Field Operations shall review the application, either approve or disapprove it, and return a copy of Form 1014RW within five business days of submission of all required or requested information. If approved, a permit number shall be assigned to the Form 1014RW; if disapproved, the reason(s) shall be given. The applicant can apply for a hearing if the permit is not approved.

(f)   Violations. If the operator violates the conditions of the permit or this Section, the use of reclaimed water in oil and gas operations shall be discontinued and the Field Operations Department shall be contacted immediately. The Field Operations Department may revoke the permit and/or require the operator to do remedial work. If the permit is not revoked, use of reclaimed water in oil and gas operations may resume with the Field Operations Department's approval. If the permit is revoked, the operator may file an application for a hearing to reinstate the permit.

[Source: Added at 32 Ok Reg 768, eff 8-27-15]