Sealing Unused Wells
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Unused wells that are not properly abandoned, or decommissioned, can be a hazard. Along
with potentially contaminating water supplies, unused wells that are not sealed can be
dangerous to people and animals.
Wells can go unused for several reasons. The most common is that the well no longer
provides water to the home or homes it was serving. Perhaps the well requires repairs that
are not economically feasible, or it was used for a service, such as water monitoring,
that is no longer needed.
Regardless of the reason for well abandonment, it is imperative that unused wells are
sealed by a professional contractor. States have different procedures that govern sealing
wells, and some areas have standards that vary regarding private and public water wells.
Professional contractors will be able to answer all questions regarding the necessary
action for your area.
How Does It Work?
When sealing the well, the contractor will first remove all of the equipment in the well,
such as pumps and pipes, so the well can be filled and sealed properly. Usually, an
attempt to also remove the casing, liners, and screens will be made, but sometimes this is
impossible to do.
The required material used in the sealing process varies from state to state, but
cement-bentonite or bentonite clay chips are used frequently. For the best results, the
contractor will carefully seal the well from the bottom up, using a tremie pipe to assure
there are no air pockets.
Once filled, homeowners in most states are required to provide abandoned well
information to local environmental protection or water departments.
How Can I Find Abandoned Wells?
Here are several clues to look for when searching your property for unused wells:
- Pipes sticking out of the ground.
- Depressions in the ground.
- Small buildings that could have been a well house at one time.
- A concrete pit in the ground.
- Old, out-of-use windmills—they are often located near wells.
- Additions to old homes—wells were often put in the basement or under porches to
prevent pumps from freezing in the winter.
Why Should I Seal an Old Well?
Here are more detailed reasons for sealing unused wells.
Direct disposal of contamination
With rising disposal costs, some individuals or companies may be tempted to dispose of
waste down unused wells, thinking, “The well isn’t used, so it won’t hurt
anyone.” However, that is far from the truth, as the potential for harm is real.
Having a properly sealed well doesn’t give those individuals that opportunity.
Physical hazards
One of the most obvious reasons for sealing an unused well is to prevent physical harm.
There have been national news stories through the years where young children have fallen
into abandoned wells that are 10 inches or less in diameter. Small animals can fall into
unused wells too, leading to water contamination in nearby wells.
Water mixing between aquifers
It is necessary to seal a well when water contamination is discovered in an area where
there are multiple-aquifer systems because the contaminated water can migrate between the
aquifers. This often occurs when a second well is drilled to a lower aquifer after
contamination is discovered in the original, shallower well that has not been
decommissioned. The contamination from the first well can work its way downward to the
lower aquifer and impact the second well. Contaminated water can also move between
aquifers when a well is improperly sealed. This is why it is important to always have the
work done by a professional contractor.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on your private water well, contact Steve Foster:
Foster Well Drilling
7021 Eastside Road
Anderson, CA 96007
Tel: (530) 241-1605
Fax: (530) 365-5094
E-Mail info@fosterwelldrilling.com
Also, visit the Web site of the National Ground Water Association, www.ngwa.org, and its site just for well owners, www.wellowner.org
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