The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) protects the quality of Tennessee 's air, land, and water, and preserves, conserves, and promotes Tennessee 's natural and cultural resources. The State Oil and Gas Board regulates all oil and gas operations except underground injection control (UIC). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 regulates and administers Class II underground injection control (UIC) programs in Tennessee in direct implementation.

Contact

Department of Environment and Conservation
401 Church Street
Nashville, TN 37243
(888) 891-8332 (phone)

State Oil and Gas Board
c/o Division of Water Pollution Control
Department of Environment and Conservation
401 Church Street
6th Floor, L & C Annex
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 532-0166 (phone)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4
Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-9900 (phone)
(800) 241-1754 (phone)

Produced Water Management Practices and Applicable Regulations

The rules of the State Oil and Gas Board governing production wells are found in Chapter 1040 of the Tennessee Rules and Regulations. In addition, Chapter 1200 of the Tennessee Rules and Regulations contains the rules of the Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation with respect to the protection of human health and the environment.

• Underground Injection Control
  • The State of Tennessee does not issue duplicate UIC permits. The federal UIC regulations are administered by the EPA Region 4.

• Surface Discharge Permits and Technology-Based Effluent Limitation Standards
  • State discharge permits will contain limitations and standards in accordance with the federal guidelines issued pursuant to the Clean Water Act, when such are in effect, unless more stringent limits are necessary to maintain designated uses (1200-4-5-.09).