Purpose

Under the Environment Protection Regulations 2021 (the Regulations), the discharge or deposit of waste to an aquifer is a 'prescribed permit activity' which requires a permit under the Environment Protection Act 2017 (the Act).

However, an exception applies to the 'injection of water or remediation chemicals which is undertaken for the remediation of groundwater in an aquifer in accordance with relevant guidelines published or approved by [EPA]'.

The following guidelines are published by EPA for the purpose of providing guidance to persons who intend to inject water or remediation chemicals to an aquifer pursuant to this exception, without the requirement to hold a permit. This guidance should be read in conjunction with Guidance for the cleanup and management of contaminated groundwater (publication 2001).