US companies have injected polluted materials into underground water through injection wells, specifically Class I and Class IV wells, which are used to dispose of industrial and municipal wastes and hazardous or radioactive materials into deep or shallow geologic formations. These wells are used to inject materials into the ground between impermeable rock layers to avoid polluting surface waters.
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Injection wells are drilled deep into the ground, sometimes reaching a few hundred feet to two miles down.
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These wells are used for industrial and municipal waste disposal, injecting both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes into deep, isolated rock formations.
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These shallow wells are used to inject hazardous or radioactive wastes into or above geologic formations that may contain drinking water.
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Fracking operations can also contaminate groundwater through the injection of hydraulic fracturing fluids into wells or through improper handling of wastewater.
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Some companies have also used methods like dumping or injecting waste into pits, trenches, or open-air filtration beds.
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While regulations exist to protect underground water reserves, some companies have sought exemptions, leading to concerns about pollution.
