WSP03867

• File Number: 8029
• Description: Section D General Correspondence - Colorado Agencies
• State: CO
• Basin: Statewide
• Date: 8/24/1960
• Author: Wells A Hutchins
• Title: Western Legislation for Public Administration of Ground Water - Western Resources Conference
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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depletion of ground water supplies below economic levels, pollution,
and wasteful practIces be prevented or controlled within practicable
1 imi ts.

Directions are given to administrators to take specific measures
to prevent unnecessary waste of well water both under and on the sur-
face, and losses from storage and conveyance works, as well as pollu-
tion of ground waters. These Include mechanical devices for control
of flowing wells; safe and efficient construction of all wells:
abatement of abandoned artesian wells and wasteful or defective wells;
insertion of conditions in a permit prohibiting wasteful practices.

I nstallatlon of wel Is

An Important part of ground water regulation relates to instal-
lation of wells and other works and appliances for withdrawing water
from the ground.

Grants of authority to appropriate water and authority to drill
a well therefor mayor may not be made In one permit Issued by the
administrator, but they apply to entirely different functions -- one
to acquire and exercise a water right, the other to install the
physical plant and equipment necessary to draw the water to the
surface. In issuing permits to drill wells, the administrator exer-
cises his statutory direction and follows his own rules and regulations
In Imposing specifications for safe and efficient construction under
local conditions. Several statutes expressly Include In the required
undertaking approved devices for measuring water.

Licensing of water well dri llers by the State Is required by a
considerable number of ground water statutes. This may apply only to
persons who Install wells for others for compensation, or It may
Include all who drill wells even for themselves on their own properties.
Orlllers are generally required to keep logs and to furnIsh copIes to
the State administrator. In New MexIco, lIcensing is required only In
ground water areas the boundaries of which have been determined and
proclaimed by the State Engineer. Nevada authorizes toe State Engineer
to appoint a well drillers' advisory board or boards on either a
regional or statewide basis for the purpose of determining qualifications
of applicants for well drillers' licenses.

In several States, spacing of wells Is a feature of control.
The Nebraska statute declares that drilling of irrigation wells without
regard to spacing Is detrimental to the public welfare, and prescribes
a minimum distance of 600 feet unless unusual circumstances prevail.
Statutes of Oklahoma and South Dakota also make provision for spacing
of wells where advantageous; Texas, with respect to ground water conser.
vatlon districts; Wyoming, In critical areas.

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