7.OAR_DIVISION 220_ABANDOMNENT OF WELLS.doc

The Oregon Administrative Rules contain OARs filed through August 15, 2007

WATER RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

DIVISION 220

ABANDONMENT OF WELLS

690-220-0030 Permanent Abandonment

(1) Any water supply well that is to be permanently abandoned shall be completely filled in such a manner that vertical movement of water within the well bore, including vertical movement of water within the annular space surrounding the well casing, is effectively and permanently prevented. If a dry or non-producing water supply well is to be permanently abandoned, it shall be abandoned in accordance with these standards. Unless otherwise stated in these rules, all permanent water supply well abandonments shall be performed by a licensed Water Supply Well Constructor.

(2) The abandonment procedure shall be recorded on a form provided by or previously approved in writing by the Department. The form shall include, as a minimum, all the requirements as listed in OAR 690-205-0080(7), plus:

(a) Method of abandonment;

(b) If assigned, the well identification tag number, original start card number, and owner's well number of the abandoned well.

(3) When a well that has a well identification tag on it is permanently abandoned, the well identification tag shall be destroyed. The well identification tag shall not be reused.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.090 & 537.505 - 537.795 Stats. Implemented: ORS 536.090 & 537.505 - 537.795 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0010; WRD 8-1993, f. 12-14-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01; WRD 2-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-20-06 690-220-0050 Abandonment of Uncased Wells in Consolidated Formations Uncased water supply wells to be abandoned that penetrate a water-bearing rock formation shall be filled with concrete or cement grout, or with alternating layers of cement grout or concrete and clean gravel throughout the water-producing horizon. A concrete or cement grout plug shall be constructed from the top of the rock formation to a depth of at least 20 feet below the top of the rock formation. The remainder of the well above the rock formation shall be filled to land surface with cement grout or concrete. Plugs of cement grout or concrete, at least three feet in length, shall be placed in non-producing zones between all water-bearing zones. In all cases, a cement grout or concrete plug, at least three feet in length, shall be constructed in a non-producing stratum immediately above the uppermost water-bearing zone. This class of water supply wells may be abandoned using unhydrated bentonite with special standard approval. (See Figure 220-2.)

[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced in this rule are available from the agency.] Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.090 & ORS 537.505 - ORS 537.795 Stats. Implemented: ORS 536.090 & ORS 537.505 - ORS 537.795 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79, Renumbered from 690-063-0012; WRD 8-1993, f. 12-14-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0060 Abandonment of Cased Wells If the water supply well casing or the liner pipe is not removed during the abandonment of a well, the casing or liner shall be thoroughly ripped or perforated. The number and size of perforations may vary. However, the perforations must be sufficient enough to allow grout to migrate outside the casing and effectively prevent the vertical movement of water. Perforations are not required in the sealed interval provided proof of the original seal can be verified with the original well report. The annular space between the casing or liner and the drillhole wall shall be effectively and completely filled with cement grout applied under pressure. The remainder of the well shall be filled with cement grout or concrete. Uncased horizons in a cased well to be abandoned shall be filled in accordance with OAR 690-220-0030 through 690-220-0050. The well casing to be abandoned may be severed below land surface and removed. (See Figure 220-3.)

[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced in this rule are available from the agency.] Stat. Auth.: ORS 536.090 & ORS 537.505 - ORS 537.795 Stats. Implemented: ORS 536.090 & ORS 537.505 - ORS 537.795 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79, Renumbered from 690-063-0013; WRD 8-1993, f. 12-14-93, cert. ef. 1-1-94; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0070 Abandonment of Artesian Wells In addition to OAR 690-220-0060, the flow of artesian water supply wells to be abandoned shall be confined or restricted by cement grout applied under pressure, or by the use of a suitable well packer, or a wooden plug placed at the bottom of the confining formation immediately above the artesian water-bearing zone. Cement grout or concrete shall be used to effectively fill the well to land surface. (See Figure 220-4, 1986.)

[ED. NOTE: Figures referenced in this rule are available from the agency.] Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79,; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0015; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0080 Abandonment of Driven and Jetted Wells Provided a annular seal meeting the requirements of OAR 690-210-0180 can be confirmed, a cement grout plug shall be placed by grout pipe opposite all perforations or openings in the water supply well casing. The remainder of the well shall be filled with cement grout. If no annular seal can be confirmed, the well shall be abandoned by removing the casing and filling the borehole with an approved sealant (see OAR 690-220-0120).

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0020; WRD 7-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-29-88; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0090 Abandonment of Filter or Gravel Pack Wells Filter or gravel pack water supply wells may only be abandoned under a special standard. Any method of abandonment proposed must ensure that all perforated sections of the casing will be pressure grouted throughout, and that the remainder of the well is filled with cement grout. (See definition of pressure grout in OAR 690-200) Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0016 & 690-063-0025; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0095 Abandonment of Dug Wells

(1) Abandonment of a dug water supply well shall be approved by the Department before work is started. The Department shall be notified of the proposed abandonment. The notification shall include:

(a) Location;

(b) Name of the owner;

(c) Well diameter;

(d) Well depth;

(e) Depth to water;

(f) Type of well casing or liner material if any; and

(g) The proposed method of abandonment.

(2) A method to be used in the abandonment will be approved by the Department if the method will adequately protect the ground water resource. Dug wells penetrating more than one water bearing zone shall be abandoned in a manner to eliminate the possibility of leakage from one water bearing zone to another.

(3) The well shall be abandoned by a licensed Water Supply Well Constructor, a landowner with a landowner well construction permit and bond, or by a landowner in the presence of the watermaster or other Department representative.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 Hist.: WRD 7-1988, f. & cert. ef. 6-29-88; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01; WRD 2-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-20-06

690-220-0100 Obstructions and Possible Contaminants All obstructions or debris which may interfere with effective sealing operations shall be removed from the water supply well to be abandoned. Any foreign matter capable of causing ground water contamination shall be removed prior to placing any sealing material.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0026; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0110 Removal of Well Casing During Abandonment If the casing of a water supply well is removed during abandonment, the well shall be plugged and sealed in accordance with OAR 690-220-0030 through 690-220-0050 and shall be filled with sealing materials as the casing is removed.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0021; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0120 Cement Grout Cement grout for use in abandonment operations shall conform to the requirements of OAR 690-210-0310.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78; ef. 1-1-79, Renumbered from 690-63-031 by WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86 690-220-0130 Concrete Concrete for use in abandonment operations shall conform to the requirements of OAR 690-210-0315.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79,; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0035; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 690-220-0140 Method of Placement of Concrete or Cement Grout Concrete or cement grout used as a sealing material in abandonment operations shall be introduced at the bottom of the well or required sealing interval and placed progressively upward to the top of the well. All such sealing materials shall be placed by the use of a grout pipe or by dump bailer in order to avoid segregation or dilution of the sealing materials.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Stats. Implemented: ORS 183, ORS 536, ORS 537 & ORS 540 Hist.: WRD 3, f. & ef. 2-18-77; WRD 9-1978, f. 12-12-78, ef. 1-1-79,; WRD 13-1986, f. 10-7-86, ef. 11-1-86, Renumbered from 690-063-0040 by WRD; WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01

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