What does the Underground Injection Control (UIC) program regulate?

The Underground Injection Control (UIC) program specifically regulates the injection of wastes into groundwater. This program, established under the Safe Drinking Water Act, aims to prevent the contamination of underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) by ensuring that the disposal of fluids, particularly hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, does not negatively impact these water supplies.

The UIC program governs various types of injection activities, including the management of wastewater from industrial processes and treatment systems. It establishes criteria for the types of materials that can be injected, the types of wells that can be used, and the monitoring and reporting requirements necessary to protect groundwater resources.

While the other options pertain to aspects of water management or resources, they do not capture the specific focus of the UIC program. For instance, the consumption of groundwater resources implies usage rather than regulation of injection practices. Similarly, while treating wastewater and preserving aquifers are important environmental and water resource management practices, they fall outside the specific regulatory focus of the UIC on waste injection into the subsurface environment.