Comprehensive Legal Guide to Rule 62-520.600 F.A.C.

Table of Contents

Section 1. Facilities Subject to Monitoring Requirements

1.1 General Monitoring Obligation

Rule 62-520.600 establishes that every facility discharging to groundwater must implement a monitoring program unless specifically exempted by Department rule. This requirement applies regardless of facility size, discharge volume, or water quality impacts. The monitoring program serves to verify compliance with groundwater standards and track contaminant movement through the subsurface.

1.2 Facilities Exempt from Monitoring

Rule 62-520.600(9) provides specific exemptions from groundwater monitoring requirements for facilities posing minimal risk to groundwater resources.

Domestic wastewater treatment facilities with design capacity less than 100,000 gallons per day receive automatic exemption from monitoring requirements. This exemption recognizes that small domestic facilities typically pose limited risk due to predictable waste characteristics and established treatment standards. However, facilities constructed after July 1, 1994, must comply with special requirements detailed in Section 1.3 below.

Stormwater management facilities also receive automatic exemption. These facilities typically handle relatively clean runoff that poses minimal groundwater contamination risk. The exemption applies to retention ponds, detention areas, conveyance swales, and other stormwater infrastructure.

Agricultural operations including fields, drainage ditches, and irrigation canals are exempt from monitoring. This broad exemption covers row crops, pastures, orchards, and similar agricultural land uses. Animal feeding operations may also qualify for exemption if they meet criteria established in Chapter 62-670, F.A.C.

Wastewater impoundments containing effluent that meets applicable groundwater standards receive exemption. This includes cooling water ponds, treated water storage basins, and similar facilities where the impounded water already meets quality standards. The Department retains authority to require discharge quality monitoring before the water contacts groundwater if necessary to verify continued compliance.

1.3 Special Requirements for Small Domestic Facilities

Rule 62-520.600(10) establishes modified requirements for domestic wastewater facilities with design capacity less than 100,000 gallons per day that filed complete permit applications after July 1, 1994. These facilities must install one downgradient monitoring well designed to evaluate groundwater impacts. Sampling must occur semiannually from within the upper 20 feet of the saturated zone. Analysis must include all parameters specified in Chapter 62-601, F.A.C.

1.4 Conditions Affecting Exemptions

All exemptions remain valid only while the discharge presents no potential hazard to human health or the environment and does not endanger any drinking water source. Direct discharge to groundwater through injection wells or sinkholes voids any exemption. If conditions change such that a previously exempt facility begins threatening groundwater quality, the Department will immediately require full monitoring compliance.

Section 2. Monitoring Plan Requirements

2.1 Submission Deadlines

The timing for monitoring plan submission depends on facility status. New installations must submit complete monitoring plans concurrently with initial permit applications. This ensures monitoring infrastructure can be installed before discharge begins. Existing installations should have submitted acceptable monitoring plans by March 1984 according to the implementation schedule for the 1983 groundwater rules. Facilities that became subject to monitoring requirements after March 1984 must submit plans according to deadlines in specific applicable rules. Installations initially exempt from permitting that later receive orders requiring permits must develop monitoring plans upon receipt of the Department order.

2.2 Required Plan Contents

Rule 62-520.600(3) mandates comprehensive information in groundwater monitoring plans. The plan must evaluate facility operations, waste characteristics, discharge locations, and potential environmental risks. All plans must ensure compliance with applicable water quality standards and criteria while detecting any adverse impacts on groundwater or connected surface waters.

The plan begins with detailed site characterization describing physical and hydrogeologic conditions. This characterization must define groundwater flow direction and velocity based on water table mapping or potentiometric surface data. The analysis must determine aquifer porosity and permeability values both horizontally and vertically, as these properties control contaminant transport rates. The plan must identify the depth to and characteristics of confining layers that might limit vertical contaminant migration. Surface features including topography, soil types, and drainage patterns must be mapped as they influence recharge and shallow groundwater flow.

Well network design forms the core of the monitoring plan. The plan must show proposed locations for all monitoring wells, clearly identifying each as background, intermediate, or compliance based on its purpose and position relative to the discharge. Detailed construction specifications must cover total depth, screen interval, screen slot size, filter pack gradation, grout seal placement, and surface completion for each well. The number and spacing of wells must adequately characterize the three-dimensional extent of any contamination plume.

Sampling procedures must ensure collection of representative groundwater samples. The plan must describe equipment decontamination protocols, well purging calculations, sample collection methods, preservation techniques, and chain of custody procedures. All procedures must meet quality assurance requirements established in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C.

The monitoring schedule must specify sampling frequency for each parameter at each well. Most facilities monitor quarterly, though some parameters may require only annual analysis. The schedule must ensure adequate temporal coverage to detect seasonal variations and trend development. Sampling events must be properly spaced as specified in Rule 62-520.600(11)(d).

Background quality determination procedures must establish pre-impact conditions for comparison with operational monitoring results. This may use historical data where available, upgradient wells to characterize incoming groundwater, or regional studies for area-wide background. The selected approach must account for natural variation and provide legally defensible baseline data.

An area assessment must identify all surface waters and their classifications within a one-mile radius of the facility. This includes lakes, rivers, streams, springs, and wetlands, with particular attention to Outstanding Florida Waters or other specially protected water bodies. All wells within 1,000 feet must be inventoried with location, depth, use, and owner information. Both permitted and unpermitted wells require documentation. All sinkholes on or near the site that extend below the seasonal high water table or contain perched water must be mapped and evaluated as potential conduits to the aquifer.

2.3 Professional Certification

Florida law mandates that monitoring plans be signed and sealed by qualified professionals. Either a Professional Geologist licensed under Chapter 492, Florida Statutes, or a Professional Engineer licensed under Chapter 471, Florida Statutes, must prepare or directly supervise plan preparation. The professional assumes responsibility for technical adequacy and regulatory compliance by affixing their seal.

2.4 Plan Approval Process

The Department reviews submitted plans to verify they will generate data adequate to evaluate compliance with groundwater standards. Approved plans become enforceable parts of facility permits. Plans not associated with permits receive separate approval or denial letters that include administrative hearing rights under Sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes.

Section 3. Monitoring Well Installation

3.1 Minimum Well Requirements

Rule 62-520.600(6) establishes minimum requirements for monitoring well networks. Every facility requires at least three strategically positioned wells to track groundwater quality changes.

The background well must be located upgradient from the discharge area where groundwater flows toward the facility. This well characterizes natural water quality unaffected by facility operations. Placement requires careful consideration of flow patterns to ensure the well remains outside the influence of the contamination plume while staying as close as practical to the facility.

The intermediate well must be positioned downgradient from the discharge within the approved zone of discharge. This well intercepts the contamination plume to track constituent concentrations and plume development. Data from this well provides early warning of unexpected contaminant behavior or higher than predicted concentrations.

The compliance well occupies the critical position at the downgradient boundary of the zone of discharge. This well verifies that groundwater standards are met at the compliance point. Violations detected here trigger enforcement action, making proper placement essential.

Additional wells become necessary when site complexity prevents adequate characterization with the three-well minimum. Complex geology featuring multiple aquifers, fractured rock, or karst conditions typically requires expanded monitoring networks. Large facilities or those with multiple discharge locations need sufficient wells to monitor each area. High-risk sites near water supplies or dense residential areas require closer well spacing to ensure complete plume delineation.

3.2 Installation Procedures

Before beginning field work, submit detailed well designs to the Department for approval. Each proposed well location requires a soil boring to determine site-specific construction specifications. These borings define lithology, identify appropriate screen zones, and guide filter pack selection. Provide at least 72 hours notice to the appropriate DEP District Office before mobilizing drilling equipment.

Following well installation, specific documentation requirements apply. Within 60 days, submit a scaled map showing all monitoring well locations with identification numbers. Include GPS coordinates accurate to 0.1 seconds of latitude and longitude, approximately 10 feet of precision. Measure elevations to 0.01 foot accuracy referenced to either National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1929 or North American Vertical Datum 1988. Document ground surface elevation, top of casing elevation, and the established measuring point elevation for each well.

Within 30 days after installation, submit well completion reports on DEP Form 62-520.900(3) for each monitoring well. Include lithologic logs from the soil borings showing subsurface materials encountered. These documents become part of the permanent facility record.

Within 60 days after completing monitoring well construction, properly abandon all unused boreholes and temporary wells according to procedures in Rule 62-532.500(4), F.A.C. Submit written verification of proper abandonment including available well abandonment logs.

3.3 Damaged Well Procedures

If any monitoring well becomes damaged or inoperable affecting sampling capability or well integrity, notify the DEP District Office within two business days of discovery. Follow verbal notification with a detailed written report within ten days explaining the problem, its potential impacts, and remedial measures taken or proposed. Obtain Department approval before installing any replacement wells.

Section 4. Sampling Requirements

4.1 Pre-Discharge Baseline Sampling

Rule 62-520.600(5)(a) mandates comprehensive baseline sampling before beginning any discharge that could impact groundwater. This requirement establishes pre-operational conditions for future comparison and impact assessment.

Baseline sampling must analyze all primary and secondary drinking water standards listed in Chapter 62-550, F.A.C. This includes approximately 90 different parameters covering metals, inorganics, volatile organics, synthetic organics, and radiological constituents. Certain parameters may be omitted only if they could not possibly occur in the discharge: asbestos, acrylamide, dioxin, butachlor, epichlorohydrin, pesticides, and PCBs. However, facilities that might generate these constituents must include them in baseline sampling.

Additionally, analyze the complete list of volatile organic compounds using EPA Method 524 or equivalent. Test for all extractable semivolatile organic compounds using EPA Method 525 or equivalent. These broad analytical scans detect unexpected contamination that might not appear on routine parameter lists.

Collect baseline samples after wells are fully developed to remove drilling fluids and fine sediments but before beginning any discharge operations. Submit all results to the Department within 60 days after sample collection. Include complete laboratory reports with quality assurance documentation and a summary table comparing results to applicable groundwater standards.

4.2 Permit Renewal Sampling

Rule 62-520.600(5)(b) requires comprehensive resampling before each permit renewal. This sampling must include the same extensive parameter list as baseline sampling to document any changes in groundwater quality over the permit term.

Collect renewal samples no more than 180 days before submitting the permit renewal application. Older data will not satisfy this requirement. Submit results with the renewal application to the DEP office that issued the current permit. Include trend analyses showing concentration changes throughout the permit term and evaluation of compliance status.

4.3 Routine Operational Monitoring

After discharge begins, implement the monitoring schedule specified in the approved monitoring plan. Most facilities conduct quarterly sampling, analyzing a focused set of parameters relevant to their discharge characteristics.

Proper sample spacing ensures temporal representation. Quarterly sampling requires at least 45 days between consecutive events. Semiannual sampling needs 90 days minimum separation. Annual sampling must space events at least 180 days apart. This prevents compression of sampling into shorter convenient periods while ensuring seasonal variation capture.

Before purging wells for sample collection, measure static water levels in all wells. Record depths to 0.01 foot precision. Calculate groundwater elevations by subtracting measured depths from surveyed measuring point elevations. Report elevations rather than depths to enable cross-well comparisons and flow direction determination.

Section 5. Reporting Requirements

5.1 Initial Discharge Report

Submit a comprehensive initial discharge report within 90 days after beginning operations that discharge to groundwater. This report documents actual discharge characteristics compared to permit assumptions.

Include measured discharge volumes showing daily and monthly averages. Provide complete chemical analyses of the discharge covering all permitted parameters plus any additional constituents detected. Document physical parameters including temperature, pH, turbidity, and conductivity. For domestic wastewater facilities, include microbiological results.

Compare actual discharge quality to permit limits and application projections. Explain any significant differences from expected values. This report establishes the operational baseline for ongoing compliance evaluation.

5.2 Quarterly Monitoring Reports

Submit monitoring reports at the frequency specified in your permit, typically quarterly. Present all data clearly showing results from each well for each required parameter.

Format data in tabular form indicating sample date and time, well identification, water level before sampling, parameter results with appropriate units, laboratory method detection limits, and applicable standards for comparison. Prominently identify any exceedances of standards or permit limits. Include time-series graphs for key parameters showing concentration trends over multiple quarters.

Many DEP districts now require electronic submittal through online compliance portals. Verify specific requirements with your district office. Regardless of submittal method, maintain paper copies of all original laboratory reports and chain of custody forms for inspection.

5.3 Record Retention

Maintain all monitoring records for at least five years. This includes laboratory analytical reports, field measurement logs, equipment calibration records, chain of custody forms, and quality assurance documentation. DEP inspectors may request these records during compliance inspections or investigations. Organize records for quick retrieval when requested.

Section 6. Enforcement and Compliance

6.1 Violations and Consequences

Exceeding groundwater standards at compliance monitoring wells triggers formal enforcement action. However, problems detected at intermediate wells may prompt informal enforcement or required modifications to prevent boundary violations.

Failure to conduct required monitoring constitutes an independent violation regardless of actual water quality. Missing sampling events, analyzing inadequate parameters, or submitting late reports can result in enforcement even when groundwater quality meets all standards.

6.2 Corrective Actions

When monitoring reveals groundwater standard violations, Rule 62-520.700 requires corrective action. For imminent hazards threatening public health, immediate emergency response is mandatory. This may include ceasing discharge, containing the contamination plume, or providing alternative water supplies to affected parties.

Non-imminent violations allow more deliberate response planning. Develop corrective action plans addressing source control, plume containment or extraction, treatment system upgrades, enhanced monitoring, and realistic compliance schedules. Implementation proceeds under Department oversight with regular progress reporting.

6.3 Penalties

Violations can result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per day per violation. Knowing violations or false reporting may trigger criminal prosecution. Beyond monetary penalties, the Department can require expensive corrective actions, revoke permits, or order facility closure for serious or repeated violations.

Section 7. Forms and Resources

7.1 Required Forms

Three standardized forms support monitoring plan implementation. Form 62-520.900(1), Application for Monitoring Plan Approval, accompanies new monitoring plans. Form 62-520.900(2), Ground Water Monitoring Report, formats quarterly monitoring data submittal. Form 62-520.900(3), Monitoring Well Completion Report, documents well construction details.

Obtain current forms from the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Facilities Regulation, MS 3580, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400.

7.2 Technical Guidance

The Department adopts two guidance documents by reference. The Monitoring Well Design and Construction Guidance Manual (2008) provides detailed specifications for proper well installation. The Guidance for Ground Water Monitoring Plan Design (2008) assists in developing technically sound monitoring approaches. Both documents are available at www.dep.state.fl.us/water/groundwater/pubs.htm.

7.3 District Office Coordination

Contact your local DEP district office for pre-installation notifications, permit-specific questions, report submittal, and compliance assistance. District staff can clarify requirements and help resolve technical issues before they become violations.

Section 8. Conclusion

Groundwater monitoring forms the foundation of Florida’s groundwater protection program. Proper implementation requires understanding regulatory requirements, careful planning, quality installation, representative sampling, and timely reporting. Investment in a comprehensive monitoring program protects both groundwater resources and facility compliance status. When questions arise, consult with DEP staff before proceeding to ensure actions meet regulatory requirements.