SEALING ABANDONED WELLS

Due to the efforts of many agencies and concerned citizen groups, many people have been informed of the laws and the risks associated with improperly sealed abandoned water wells. Abandoned wells are potential safety hazards, especially for children, and represent direct pathways for contamination to enter groundwater. Many water well owners have not taken that final step of sealing abandoned wells, perhaps because of the cost of the materials, lack of time, or the feeling that, "I'll do it when someone catches me and tells me I have to." Proper sealing of abandoned wells is not only the law, it is also the easiest way to eliminate the risk of liability, as well as fines and imprisonment.

To seal a water well, materials and procedures are used that reestablish the protective geology and soils that were removed during the drilling of the well. In most cases, the sealing material used is superior to that which was removed.

A property owner should first contact the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or the local health department. These agencies will provide information on the materials and procedures needed to properly seal the well. The property owner must then submit a plan of action to IDPH or the local health department. If the job requires a contractor, the health department can provide the owner with a list of area contractors.

Measure the depth and diameter of the well to determine the materials and procedures required to seal it. Remove the pump and pipes from the well before taking the measurements. Extreme care should be taken when handling the various lengths of the pipes and equipment; the great weight of the piping can cause injury if not handled properly. Care should also be taken with well pits and dug wells since there is a risk of falling into the wells. Never work on such wells alone, and never attempt to enter such a well. The lack of oxygen and the possible presence of toxic gases can result in serious injury or death for the inexperienced and unprepared.

Once you have obtained adequate information, you can complete the plan of action. IDPH or the local health department will help locate the material and necessary equipment and tools to seal the well. In most instances, bentonite chips is the material recommended for drilled wells. Bentonite is easy to install with minimum equipment. Dug and bored wells must be evaluated for depth and construction to determine the type of materials needed for sealing.

After obtaining the materials, you must notify IDPH or the local health department of the date the work will be performed. A health department representative must be present during the sealing to ensure that the material is installed according to the well sealing plan. After the well has been sealed, the upper portion of the casing and the well pit should be eliminated and the area restored to the original grade. A sealing form must be completed, signed and returned to IDPH or the local health department, showing that the well was properly sealed.

There is no mystique in the sealing of water wells. The most important factor is that it be done correctly. Obtaining accurate information and working with IDPH or the local health department will ensure that these abandoned water wells are no longer a pathway for contamination to groundwater or a safety hazard. Some cost and effort are required to eliminate abandoned water wells, but since we depend upon groundwater for most of our water needs, it is a small price to pay. Sealing of abandoned water wells is not only the law, but the right thing to do.

This article was prepared by Clay Simonson of the IDPH Rockford office. For more information on sealing abandoned wells, contact Jerry Dalsin at the Division of Environmental Health, Illinois Department of Public Health, 525 W. Jefferson, Springfield, IL 62761, (217) 782-5830. •

February 1992 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 5