Sealing Unused Wells --
What is an unused water well -- and why is it a problem? A well that is not in use - or sometimes referred to an "abandoned" well - can be a potential threat to health, safety, and the environment. Wells that are no longer used may be buried or forgotten. Often they have not been sealed properly. Sealing is the process of clearing an unused well of debris and filling the well with a special material called grout. The sealing must be done by a licensed contractor. Unused wells that have not been properly sealed can be a source of groundwater contamination, potentially affecting nearby drinking water wells. They may threaten the quality of the water in city water wells, your neighbor's well, or even your own well. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for three out of every four Minnesotans. Protecting groundwater is everybody's business. As a well ages, the casing may rust, joints may leak, the pump may become stuck in the well, or the well may fill with debris. If the well is covered with loose boards or concrete, the cover may eventually decay or break open. Surface water runoff, debris, and other contaminants can then enter the well. A well may be taken out of service for a variety of reasons. It may no longer provide enough water. It may not have been repaired when it needed to be. It may have become contaminated. A well may be "lost" or abandoned when property changes hands, or when use of the land changes from agricultural to industrial or residential. Old unused wells are easily forgotten. How do unused wells threaten the groundwater? Groundwater is found in underground geologic formations called aquifers. Ordinarily the layers of rock and soil that lie between an aquifer and the surface, or between aquifers, can act as a natural barrier against the spread of contamination. However, an unused, unsealed well can provide an open channel between the surface and an aquifer - or between a shallow aquifer and a deeper aquifer. An unused well can act as a drain - allowing surface water runoff, contaminated water, or improperly disposed waste to reach an uncontaminated aquifer. Do unused wells pose any other problems? If unsealed large-diameter wells are not covered or otherwise protected, the open well hole can be a safety hazard, especially for children and small animals. By law, a well must be in use, be under a maintenance permit, or sealed by a licensed contractor. A well must be sealed if:
If you have an unused well - and wish to keep the well for future use - you may apply for a special "maintenance permit" from the Minnesota Department of Health. The permit requires an annual fee, and is only issued if the well meets minimum sanitary requirements. How can I find out if I have a well on my property that is not in use and not sealed? Whether you live in the country or in town, you could have one or more wells on your property which are not in use and not sealed. If you live in town, there may be one or more wells that were used before the city water became available, or a well that was used for watering lawns and gardens. If you live in the country, wells may have served current or former houses and barns. To locate old wells, it may help to:
You can often see the casing of an unused well sticking up out of the ground. Look for a metal pipe typically from 1¼" to 6" in diameter. Wells that were dug rather than drilled may appear as a ring - made of concrete, tile, bricks, or rocks - in the ground or pit. The ring could be anywhere from 12" to 36" in diameter, or even larger. A windmill, an old shed that was used as a well house, or an old pump may mark the location of a well. A metal or concrete cover or manhole may mark the location of a well pit. A depression in the ground may indicate a buried well, and a wet area may be caused by a flowing well that hasn't been sealed. If you had a well inside your home, a pipe sticking up our of the floor - possibly stuffed with rags - could be a well casing. Wells were often housed in a basement offset - a small room attached to the basement often located under exterior concrete steps. A glass block fitted into a step - or a concrete patch - could be another clue. State law requires that the sealing be done by a licensed well contractor. Don't try to seal the well yourself. A licensed well contractor has the necessary equipment and expertise to seal your well properly. The contractor can also handle all of the necessary paperwork. To find a contractor, look in the Yellow Pages under "Well Drilling and Service." The Minnesota Department of Health also has a list of licensed contractors. Before sealing the well, the contractor will remove any pumping equipment that may still be in place and remove any debris or other obstructions from the well. The well is then sealed by pumping a grout mixture into the well. When the job is done, the contractor will submit a sealing record to the Minnesota Department of Health. You will also get a copy of the well sealing record from the licensed well contractor. Keep it in a safe place. It provides proof that the well has been properly sealed, and no longer poses a hazard. The cost of sealing a well can vary considerably. For shallow, small diameter wells - like those found at some homes and many lake cabins - the cost typically ranges from $100 to $400. Deeper larger wells will cost more to seal. Things like access to the well, special geological conditions, debris in the well, and depth and diameter of the well will affect the cost of well sealing. Also, if a contractor is already on the site drilling a new well, the cost of sealing an old well will often be less because a special trip to the site is avoided. The same is true when people get together and arrange to have a number of old wells in a community sealed at same time. It is always a good idea to get several estimates on costs. Minnesota laws do not require a well which is in use to be sealed unless it is causing, or has the potential to cause a health problem or contamination of the groundwater. Your well is considered to be "in use" if you use it on a regular basis. If you sell or transfer the property the well will have to be disclosed to the buyer at that time. Where can I get more information? If you have any questions about abandoned wells, well sealing, your well, or well water quality, or would like more information, contact your nearest Minnesota Department of Health office and ask to speak with a well specialist. |
© Copyright, 1998 |