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Abandoned Wells Where can I find information about Abandoned Wells?Abandoned wells, if left open or if insufficiently covered or filled, could be a potential source of groundwater contamination. In addition, hand dug wells pose a potential safety hazard to the public, livestock and wildlife. The following describes the methods approved by the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry for filling abandoned wells as required under the Environmental Protection Act Water Well Regulations, Section 12.
Drilled Wells
The Province’s Water Well Regulations require that drilled wells be abandoned by a licensed well
contractor.
- All obstructions in the well must be removed prior to filling the well. The well should then be filled with alternating layers of bentonite or cement and clean fill (clay till or sand).
- The bottom three metres (10 feet) of the bore hole must be filled with bentonite or cement; and the individual layers of bentonite must be not less than 0.3 metres (one foot) thick. The thickness of fill layers must not exceed five feet.
This plugging procedure prevents the possible vertical movement of contamination down the well bore hole. In addition, if the portion of the casing which is above ground becomes an eye sore or a safety concern, it can be cut off below ground surface.
Hand Dug Wells
- Any obstructions (piping, wooden material etc.) in the well should be removed prior to plugging the well.
- The well should be filled to within one metre (three feet) of the ground surface with sandstone and till material. The sandstone must be placed, at the very least, below the water table.
- A minimum 15-centimetre (six-inch) thick layer of a low permeability material such as bentonite or compacted clay must be installed to within one metre (three feet) of the ground surface to prevent entry of surface water to the water table.
- The surface area at the top of the well must be covered with topsoil and graded to allow positive drainage away from the well.
Charlottetown
Jones Building
Robison, Alan (Senior Drinking Water Technologist)
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