Abandoned Well Sealing Requirements

Abandoned wells can present safety hazards to people and animals, and they can be sources of groundwater pollution.

Abandoned, improperly sealed wells are defined as "potential routes" by the Illinois Groundwater Protection Act, which means they provide conduits or pathways for pollution. The Illinois Groundwater Protection Act requires owners of all water wells, borings and monitoring wells to properly seal such wells within 30 days after they are abandoned. For the above reasons, (safety, health, and it's the law) it is important that water-well drillers inform property owners of their responsibility for sealing abandoned wells, particularly when new water wells are being constructed. Abandoned wells can contaminate nearby new water wells.

Local health departments that have water program agreements with the Illinois Department of Public Health are required to advise property owners of the requirements and need for proper sealing of abandoned wells. The local health departments are also required to inspect the sealing of all abandoned wells, and ensure that all located abandoned wells have been properly sealed in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code. Pamphlets on abandoned wells and water-well sealing requirements are available from local health departments and from the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / May 1994