R649-9-4. Specific Requirements Applicable to Evaporation Facilities

1. Evaporation facilities shall be designed, constructed and operated to meet the following specific requirements in addition to R649-9-3, Permit and Application Requirements for Disposal Facilities.

2. Applicant shall submit detailed construction/installation diagrams of ponds, side slopes, liners, pond storage capacity, leak detection systems, dikes or levees, wind fences, piping, enhanced evaporation systems with justification, water treatment systems and tanks.

2.1. Detailed information shall be submitted for all enhanced evaporation systems which demonstrates that unlawful discharge will not occur.

2.2. The facility shall be designed, maintained and operated to separate oil from produced water prior to discharge into a pond.

3. Applicant shall submit detailed construction/installation diagrams of unloading facilities and an explanation of the method for controlling and disposing of any liquid hydrocarbon accumulation on the ponds.

3.1. The unloading facility shall be designed, maintained and operated to adequately process the anticipated maximum daily quantity of produced water.

3.2. The unloading facility shall be designed with a leak detection system if determined necessary by the division.

3.2.1. Applicant shall submit procedures for repair should leakage occur.

4. Applicant shall submit the maximum daily quantity of water to be disposed of and a representative water analysis of such water that includes the concentrations of chlorides and sulfates, pH, total dissolved solids "TDS", and information regarding any other significant constituents if requested by the division.

5. Applicant shall submit climatological data describing the average annual evaporation and precipitation.

6. Ponds shall be designed, maintained and operated to meet the following requirements.

6.1. Ponds shall be designed for 10 acre-feet of water or less, unless otherwise approved by the division.

6.2. Ponds shall have adequate storage capacity to safely contain all produced water even during those periods when evaporation rates are at a minimum.

6.3. Ponds shall be designed to prevent unauthorized surface or subsurface discharge of water.

6.4. Ponds shall be designed to include a 2-foot free-board at all times.

6.5. Pond levees shall be constructed so that the inside grade of the levee is no steeper than 3:1 and the outside grade no steeper than 2:1.

6.5.1. The top of the levee shall be level and of sufficient width to allow for adequate compaction.

6.5.2. Vertical height of the levees shall not exceed 25 percent of the total vertical depth of the pond.

7. Ponds shall be designed with two synthetic liners, an upper primary and lower secondary liner, with a leak detection system between them. Synthetic liners shall be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

7.1. The primary liner shall be impervious (a hydraulic conductivity no greater than 1 x 10-9 cm/sec) and constructed with a minimum 60-mil HDPE or equivalent liner approved by the division.

7.2. The secondary liner shall be impervious and constructed with a minimum 40-mil HDPE or equivalent liner approved by the division.

7.3. If rigid materials are used, leak proof expansion joints shall be provided, or the material shall be of sufficient thickness and strength to withstand expansion, contraction and settling movements in the underlying earth, without cracking.

7.4. Materials used in lining ponds shall be impervious and resistant to weather, tears and punctures, sunlight, hydrocarbons, aqueous acids, alkalies, salt, fungi, or other substances that might be contained in the produced water.

7.5. Applicant shall submit the type, thickness, strength, and life span of material(s) to be used for lining the pond and the method of installation.

7.6. Applicant shall submit procedures for repair of the liner, should leakage occur.

8. Applicant shall submit detailed construction/installation diagram for the leak detection system.

8.1. The leak detection design shall include, a drainage and collection system placed between the upper and lower liners and sloped so as to facilitate the earliest possible detection of a leak.

8.2. The leak detection design shall include a vertical riser outside the dike allowing direct visual inspection of the sump from the surface.

8.2.1. The sump shall be designed to extend a minimum of two feet below the inlet line from the pond, allowing visual detection of any fluid and sampling of fluid.

8.2.2. Designed with a removable top for the sump riser that will prevent entry of fluids.

8.3. Designed with leak detection piping capable of withstanding chemical attack from oil field waste, structural loading from stresses and disturbances from overlying oil field waste and cover materials, equipment operation, expansion and/or contraction, and facilitate clean-out maintenance.

9. Evaporation facilities shall be operated to separate oil from produced water prior to discharge into a pond and prevent unauthorized surface discharge of water.

9.1. Hydrocarbon accumulation, other than de minimis quantities, on an evaporation pond is considered a violation and shall be removed within 24 hours.

9.2. Overspray from sprinklers and/or overspray caused by wind, including foam, outside lined areas are considered a violation and shall be corrected immediately.

9.3. Sampling and testing of soils suspected to be contaminated from overspray may be required by the division.