well construction location

8/3/2019 Well Construction Location

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The Proper Location and Construction

of a

Residential Water Well


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Private Water SupplyA Pennsylvania Perspective

Mr. Brian Oram, PGMr. Brian Oram, PGProfessional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well DrillerProfessional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well Driller

Lab Director, Center for Environmental QualityLab Director, Center for Environmental Quality

Wilkes UniversityWilkes University

GeoEnvironmental Sciences and Engineering DepartmentGeoEnvironmental Sciences and Engineering DepartmentWilkes Barre, PA 18766Wilkes Barre, PA 18766

http://www.waterhttp://www.water--research.netresearch.net

New Website !New Website !


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Center for Environmental Quality

NonNon--profit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated andprofit/ equal opportunity employer, is operated and

managed, within the GeoEnvironmental Sciences andmanaged, within the GeoEnvironmental Sciences and

Environmental Engineering Department at Wilkes UniversityEnvironmental Engineering Department at Wilkes University

Outreach ProgramsOutreach Programs

Environmental and Professional Education and TrainingEnvironmental and Professional Education and Training

Applied ResearchApplied Research

Community and Business Outreach ProgramsCommunity and Business Outreach Programs

Website: http://www.waterWebsite: http://www.water--research.netresearch.net


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State and Federal Regulation

Currently No Federal Or Pennsylvania StateCurrently No Federal Or Pennsylvania StateRegulations Related to Private Water WellRegulations Related to Private Water WellConstruction.Construction.

Pennsylvania has over 1 million households onPennsylvania has over 1 million households onPrivate Wells.Private Wells.

Pennsylvania one of 4 states that has no privatePennsylvania one of 4 states that has no privatewater well construction standards, viawater well construction standards, via

regulation.regulation.

PA does not really have a comprehensivePA does not really have a comprehensivecertification program for drilling contractorscertification program for drilling contractorsand operators.and operators.


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State Regulations

(Existing/ Proposed)

Pennsylvania Has Drillers Licensing ProgramPennsylvania Has Drillers Licensing Programhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/groundwater/act610.htmhttp://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/groundwater/act610.htm

Act 537: Chapter 73: Minimum Isolation DistanceAct 537: Chapter 73: Minimum Isolation Distance

OnOn--lot Septic System and Components and Private Welllot Septic System and Components and Private Well

House Bill 1591House Bill 1591

Proposed LegislationProposed Legislation: Private Well Construction Regulations: Private Well Construction Regulationshttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2001/0/HB1591P2920.HTMhttp://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/BI/BT/2001/0/HB1591P2920.HTM


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Local Agency

The Pennsylvania State Association of TownshipThe Pennsylvania State Association of TownshipSupervisors Surveyed second class townships acrossSupervisors Surveyed second class townships across

the state regarding water well ordinances and waterthe state regarding water well ordinances and water

well related problems. Of the 1,457 townshipwell related problems. Of the 1,457 township

across the state:across the state:

601 townships responded to the survey601 townships responded to the survey

39 of 601 townships maintain water well39 of 601 townships maintain water wellconstruction ordinancesconstruction ordinances

21 townships were considering and ordinance21 townships were considering and ordinance


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Private WaterSources Wells


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An Ungrouted

Residential Well

A Properly

Grouted Well


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Bedrock Fractures and Fractured Zones

Higher Yielding Well

Fractured Zone


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Well Isolation Distances

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTMONTGOMERY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY WELL CONSTRUCTIONINDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY WELL CONSTRUCTION

SPECIFICATIONS (partial listing)SPECIFICATIONS (partial listing)

Delineated wetlands or floodplains (25 feet)Delineated wetlands or floodplains (25 feet)Surface waters (25 feet) Storm water Systems (25 feet)Surface waters (25 feet) Storm water Systems (25 feet)

Spray Irrigation/ Septage Disposal (100 feet)Spray Irrigation/ Septage Disposal (100 feet)

Farm silos / manure storage (200 feet) Septic Systems (100 feet)Farm silos / manure storage (200 feet) Septic Systems (100 feet)

Septic Tanks/Holding Tanks (50 feet)Septic Tanks/Holding Tanks (50 feet)

Chemical Storage/Preparation Area (300 feet)Chemical Storage/Preparation Area (300 feet)

More Information atMore Information at

http://www.h2otest.com/regs/pa/montgomery/http://www.h2otest.com/regs/pa/montgomery/


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Too Close to the Road

Potential Problems

1) Damaged Casing

2) Chemical Spills

3) Road Salting Agents

4) Chemical Sprays

5) Vandalism


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Well Cap Not Secure


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Standard Well Cap Sanitary Well Cap

Allow entry for insects, small animals Sealed to prevent contamination

Well Construction Options for Private Wells


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Poor construction can affect drinking waterPoor construction can affect drinking water

qualityquality

Poor construction can contribute, promote,Poor construction can contribute, promote,

and facilitate pollution and contamination ofand facilitate pollution and contamination of

the groundwater aquiferthe groundwater aquifer

Proper construction can prolong the life andProper construction can prolong the life and

yield of the wellyield of the well

Why Care About Well Construction ?


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A Properly Constructed (Sanitary)

Residential Water Well Has: casing that extends at least 15 feet into firmcasing that extends at least 15 feet into firm

bedrock or 40 feet below ground, whichever isbedrock or 40 feet below ground, whichever is

greatergreater

casing of adequate wall thickness (meetcasing of adequate wall thickness (meet

PADEP Requirements Community WaterPADEP Requirements Community WaterSupplies)Supplies)

a drive shoe on the bottom of the casinga drive shoe on the bottom of the casing


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Well

Construction

Open Hole

Bedrock Well


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Standard Well Cap

The Unsanitary Well Cap Insects, Larvae andInsects, Larvae and

Nests / Egg MassesNests / Egg Masses

Mouse ColoniesMouse Colonies

SnakesSnakes

BeehivesBeehives

MudMud -- when casing towhen casing toclose to groundclose to ground

Types of Contamination - Bacteria, Subject to Vandalism, Salts


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Air Hammer and Drill Bit


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Drilling to Set Casing


20/33

Welding the Steel Casing


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Casing With Drive Shoe


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Mixing EZ-Seal Bentonite Grout


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A Properly

Grouted Well Tremie PipeTremie Pipe


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Installing the Tremie Pipe


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Pumping in the Bentonite Grout


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A Properly Constructed (Sanitary)

Residential Water Well Has:

casing that extends at least 15 feet into firmcasing that extends at least 15 feet into firm

bedrock or 40 feet below gradebedrock or 40 feet below grade casing of adequate wall thicknesscasing of adequate wall thickness

a driveshoe on the bottom of the casinga driveshoe on the bottom of the casing

grout sealing the casing up to the surfacegrout sealing the casing up to the surface

a sealed well cap with a screened venta sealed well cap with a screened vent

a pitless adapter where the water line passesa pitless adapter where the water line passesthrough the casingthrough the casing


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Protect Your Water SourceThings You or Your Community Can Do

Periodically InspectPeriodically Inspect

Drain Surface WaterDrain Surface WaterAwayAway

Install Sanitary SealInstall Sanitary Seal

Annual TestingAnnual Testing

Maintain RecordsMaintain Records

Start a Community BasedStart a Community BasedGroundwater EducationGroundwater Education

ProgramProgram Carbon CountyCarbon County

Groundwater GuardiansGroundwater Guardianshttp://www.webdesignpros.net/groundwaterhttp://www.webdesignpros.net/groundwater

Proper AbandonmentProper Abandonment

Chemical Storage,Chemical Storage,Disposal and UseDisposal and Use

Keep Wellhead AboveKeep Wellhead Above

GradeGrade Proper Well LocationProper Well Location

Septic SystemSeptic SystemMaintenanceMaintenance

Recycle used Oil andRecycle used Oil andParticipate in HazardousParticipate in HazardousChemical DisposalChemical DisposalProgramsPrograms

Well OrdinanceWell Ordinance


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Why an Ordinance?

Primary reasons for the ordinancesPrimary reasons for the ordinancesincluded:included:

Improper Well ConstructionImproper Well Construction

Incidents of Well ContaminationIncidents of Well Contamination

Improper SitingImproper Siting

Interconnection with Contaminated SiteInterconnection with Contaminated Site

Induce ContaminationInduce Contamination Lack of GroutingLack of Grouting

No Testing Requirements to ensureNo Testing Requirements to ensure

potabilitypotabilityOveruse of the Groundwater Aquifer.Overuse of the Groundwater Aquifer.

Online Directory of State Water Well Ordinances

http://www.epa.gov/R5water/ordcom/


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Before You Drill

Get a Well Construction Contract

Written contract with well driller prior to construction

Assurance of compliance with regulations

Liability insurance information for driller

Casing specifications (6" minimum to bedrock)

Sanitary cap, grout seal?

Well development to maximize yield

Disinfection after drilling and pump installation

Timeline for completion Guarantee on materials and workmanship

Itemized estimate - check before exceeding costs

8-12 hour pump test (sustained yield) and basic water test

Delivery of well log and pump test results to owner


30/33

Private Water SupplyA Pennsylvania Perspective

Mr. Brian Oram, PGMr. Brian Oram, PG

Professional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well DrillerProfessional Geologist, PASEO, Licensed Well Driller

Lab Director, Center for Environmental QualityLab Director, Center for Environmental Quality

Wilkes UniversityWilkes University

GeoEnvironmental Sciences and Engineering DepartmentGeoEnvironmental Sciences and Engineering Department

Wilkes Barre, PA 18766Wilkes Barre, PA 18766

http://www.waterhttp://www.water--research.netresearch.net

New Website !New Website !


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Pulling the Casing


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Decommissioning the Well


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A Properly Decommissioned Well

well construction location

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