CIM-0900-4F-734-0922-01_NHDES_AbandonmentSpec.pdf

NEW HAMPSHIRE CODE OF ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

55 We 100-1000

(b) Well casing extensions shall be water tight.

(c) Well casing extensions shall be constructed of the same materials as the existing casing and shall be of sufficient mechanical strength and weight to insure adequate performance of the functions for which casing is used, as specified in We 602.06(d).

(d) Acceptable methods for joining steel casing extensions to existing steel casing shall include the following:

(1) Threaded steel coupling;

(2) Welded pipe joint;

(3) Weld to threaded steel slip coupling; and

(4) Mechanical steel bolted restraining pipe coupling.

(e) Plastic well casing extensions shall be joined to existing plastic casing by either solvent type or threaded couplings.

(f) Plastic well casing extensions shall be schedule 40 or better and in accordance with We 602.06(d)(7).

Source. #7307, eff 6-13-00; ss by #9179, eff 6-13-08

We 603.04 Abandoned Wells. Wells that are abandoned shall be sealed in accordance with We 604.

We 603.05 Responsibility. It shall be the responsibility of the well owner to maintain a well in accordance with the provisions of this part, pursuant to RSA 482-B:15.

PART We 604 ABANDONMENT OF WELLS

We 604.01 Purpose. These rules are intended to prevent the possibility of abandoned wells providing a means for contaminants to enter the ground water and to prevent the transport of contaminants to or from discrete water bearing geologic formations.

Source. #3046, eff 7-2-85; ss by #4730, eff 1-15-90; ss by #4898, eff 8-13-90; EXPIRED: 8-13-96

New. #6327, INTERIM, eff 8-24-96, EXPIRED: 12-22-96

New. #6449, eff 1-29-97; ss by #7307, eff 6-13-00; ss by #9179, eff 6-13-08

We 604.02 Applicability.

(a) These provisions shall apply to all wells.

Abandon 10 Wells – White Mountain NF

CIM-0900-4F-734-0922-01

56 We 100-1000

(b) Wells shall be decommissioned only by licensed New Hampshire water well contractors holding a valid water well contractor license under RSA 482-B.

(c) Private wells constructed for noncommercial farming or domestic supply may be decommissioned by the well owner on the owner’s permanent residence pursuant to RSA 482-B:12, provided that the well is sealed in accordance with these rules.

We 604.03 Determination of Abandonment.

(a) Determination of abandonment shall be by the well owner or by the board in response to supporting evidence.

(b) Supporting evidence shall include but not be limited to a condition where the well is not maintained in accordance with We 603 and one or more of the following additional conditions exist:

(1) The well is inactive;

(2) The well is contaminated;

(3) The well poses a hazard by threatening to be a source of contamination to the groundwaters of the state; or

(4) The well poses a hazard to the citizens of the state.

We 604.04 Removal of Pumping Equipment and Debris. All pumping equipment, piping and wire, and any debris observed in the well, shall be removed from the well prior to sealing.

We 604.05 Sealing. Abandoned wells shall be sealed according to the following procedures:

(a) Abandoned dug wells shall be filled and sealed by placing clean fill material free of organic matter into the well. The upper 2 feet shall be filled with impervious material such as clay or hardpan.

57 We 100-1000

(b) Abandoned drilled wells penetrating bedrock or unconsolidated materials shall be sealed by grouting the entire length of the well.

(c) Abandoned drilled wells that have been contaminated due to a construction deficiency or continue to cause an environmental hazard including salt contaminated wells shall be sealed by the pressure grout method with the use of a conductor pipe, otherwise known as a tremie pipe, from the bottom of the well to the top with a grout mixture of Portland cement with 2 to 10 percent high solids bentonite clay mixed according to the water-to-cement ratio in Table 604-1 below:

Table 604-1 Water-to-cement ratio for mixing cement bentonite grout applicable for use with portland cement class A or B

Percent

Bentonite

(by weight)

Maximum Mix-Water

Requirements

Gallons/Sack

Slurry Weight (Density)

Pounds/Gallon 0 5.2 15.6 2 6.5 14.7 4 7.8 14.1 6 9.1 13.5 8 10.4 13.1

10 11.7

(d) In addition to the requirements of We 604.05(c) above, commercially available premixed bentonite grouts designed for sealing wells may be used.

(e) Commercially available premixed bentonite grouts shall be mixed with water according to the manufacturers specifications.

(f) Acceptable sealing materials for non-contaminated drilled wells shall include:

(1) Portland cement otherwise known as neat cement, mixed with 5 to 6 gallons of clean water per 94 pound bag;

(2) Portland cement with 2 to 10 percent high solids bentonite clay mixed according to the water-to-cement ratio in Table 604-1;

(3) Bentonite chips; and

(4) Commercially available premixed grouts mixed with water according to the manufacturers specifications.

58 We 100-1000

(g) Bentonite chips used for sealing 6 inch diameter or larger wells shall be a minimum of 3/8 inch diameter and shall be applied at a rate no greater than the manufacturer's specification.

We 604.06 Responsibility.

(a) The well owner shall be responsible to have an abandoned well sealed.

(b) The licensed water well contractor shall inform the well owner of the requirements of We 603 and We 604, pertaining to well maintenance and abandonment.

(c) The licensed water well contractor shall be responsible for sealing a failed borehole, or an abandoned well if the cause for abandonment was the result of improper well construction, and occurs within 12 months of the date of construction.

Source. #9179, eff 6-13-08 (from We 604.05)