reviewing abandoned well records for local health departments
DESCRIPTION
Reviewing Abandoned Well Records For Local Health Departments. COMMON PROBLEMS WHEN REVIEWING WATER WELL PLUGGING RECORDS. COMMON PROBLEMS. The old well was not plugged. WAS THERE A PERMIT REQUIREMENT TO PLUG THE OLD WELL? IF SO, WHY WASN’T THE WELL PLUGGED? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
COMMON PROBLEMS WHEN
REVIEWING WATER WELL PLUGGING
RECORDS
COMMON PROBLEMS
The old well was not plugged.
WAS THERE A PERMIT REQUIREMENT TO PLUG THE OLD WELL?
IF SO, WHY WASN’T THE WELL PLUGGED?
DID THE CONTRACTOR PROVIDE A REASON?
MOST COMMON REASONS FOR NOT PLUGGING THE
WELL Well owner wants to keep
it.
Can’t locate it.
Well is under driveway.
Pump is stuck.
These reasons are sometimes code for: “I don’t want to pay to have my well plugged.”
OWNER WANTS TO KEEP THE OLD WELL, NOW WHAT?
Per the well code, the well owner can keep the old well.
But, are they actually using it?
DEQ has example letters and forms to address this with the well owner.
If not, per Rule 168, you can order an abandoned well be plugged.
DOES THE OLD WELL FALL INTO ONE OF
THESE CATEGORIES?
No longer used
In complete disrepair
Left uncompleted
Threat to groundwater resources
Health or safety hazard
WHEN DO YOU “STICK TO YOUR GUNS” AND
REQUIRE THE WELL BE PLUGGED?
Well in contamination area
Safety hazard
Well left uncompleted due to positive coliform samples.
Some LHDs take a very hard stance on this and do not approve the new well until the old well is plugged.
Unable to locate the well
HOW MUCH EFFORT WAS PUT INTO SEARCHING FOR IT?
DID YOU INQUIRE ABOUT THE WELL LOCATION WHEN YOU CONDUCTED THE PREDRILLING SITE REVIEW?
COMMON PROBLEMS
With patience and effort, buried wells can be located.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Some situations will be a judgment call.
Use common sense and consult with DEQ if needed.
WHEN DO YOU REQUIRE A WELL OWNER TO TEAR UP A CEMENT DRIVE TO FIND AND PLUG A WELL?
COMMON PROBLEMS
A well depth of “?” or “unknown” on the plugging record.
WHY DON’T THEY KNOW THE DEPTH?
DID THEY MEASURE THE WELL DEPTH? IF NOT, WHY NOT?
WERE THERE OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WAY?
DID THEY SEARCH FOR THE ORIGINAL DRILLING RECORD TO DETERMINE DEPTH?
COMMON PROBLEMSContractors who
show a pattern of stuck obstructions should be evaluated closely.
ARE THEY PUTTING FORTH AN EFFORT?
DO THEY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT?
Using and excavator or backhoe to attach to the drop pipe and yank will typically break off the drop pipe down in the well.
This does not meet the intent of the well code.
Once the obstructions are removed, measuring the well depth is easy.
COMMON PROBLEMSUnapproved
plugging material used.
Rock Well = Neat Cement
Sand, peastone or soil are used only in special circumstances.
VIOLATION OF RULE 164
COMMON PROBLEMSWell owner plugging a
public well or a well that is not their primary residence.
Examples:
• apartment building
• hunting camp
• small businessVIOLATION OF RULE 162
COMMON PROBLEMS
Unregistered contractors plugging wells.
• pump installers or plumbers
• environmental consultants
• demolition contractors
• water treatment companies
VIOLATION OF RULE 162
Demolition company illegally plugged 17 rock wells with bentonite, and did not remove the obstructions.
The wells were drilled-out and re-plugged by a well drilling contractor.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Contractor submits a dry hole drilling record with no plugging information for the dry hole.
VIOLATION OF RULE 162
COMMON PROBLEMS
Two sets of rules, one for contractors and one for well owners.
THIS MAY COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU!
Well owners are sometimes allowed to violate the well code when plugging their own well = SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT.
Well owners do not have the knowledge or equipment to plug most wells.
OTHER STUFF
If a contractor does not properly construct or locate a well, the contractor is responsible for plugging the well.
RULE 169
OTHER STUFF
Temporarily abandoned wells must comply with the well code.
“Temporarily abandoned” wells don’t include:
• well too close to a contamination source
• well in a pit
• un-grouted well
RULE 170
Submitting Known False Data on Plugging Records is a FELONY:
UTTERING:
Present a forged document
PUBLISHING:
Create a forged document
&
Double-check all water well records for accuracy and completeness before you send them to the DEQ!
PLEASE
Or they will get sent back…
Please use our office as a resource for dealing with abandoned wells:
Jim McEwan
517-241-1413
Jim’s hands-on, how-to well plugging manual is near completion!
QUESTIONS?
Spring is just around the corner!