Backfilling & Sealing Procedure

Backfilling & Sealing Procedure

An abandoned shallow well shall be filled and sealed in such a way that it will not provide a channel for contaminants to pollute the groundwater. This procedure can be conducted by a licensed well driller or witnessed by a representative of the Health Department. If the well is backfilled and sealed by a licensed well driller, the well driller must submit an Abandoned Well Report to the Health Department no later than 30 days after abandonment of the well. Following receipt of the Well Abandonment Report, an abandoned well certification letter is sent to the property owner, with a copy to the well driller. Be reminded that all deep drilled wells must be backfilled and sealed only by licensed well drillers.

 If the abandoned well is to be backfilled and sealed by someone other than a licensed well driller, the procedure must be witnessed by a representative of the Health Department. A preliminary investigation of the well must be made to determine its condition, details of construction, and to check if there are obstructions, which will interfere with the process of backfilling and sealing. Old pump motors, water lines, trash, etc. shall be removed prior to backfilling.  If you suspect the well water has been contaminated by toxic materials the well water must he sampled prior to any further action.

Once the well is ready to be backfilled, place the fill materials (sand, gravel, bankrun gravel, crushed stone or a mixture of these materials) to a level approximately five feet below ground surface. At this time remove or crush the top two - three feet of well casing.  The casing may be placed upon the fill material.

If the fill material does not require an extended settling time, a three-foot plug of sealing material (concrete, Portland cement, sodium-based bentonite clay or a combination of these materials) can be placed immediately on top of the fill material. Mixed fill materials containing a significant amount of clays or silts may require a one or two week settling time prior to sealing. Once sealed, the remainder of the well is backfilled with soil material.

After witnessing the abandonment procedure, complete a Well Abandonment Report and submit the report along with a Shallow Well Certification letter.