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4/2012
<br />Information and Standards
<br />Conditions of approval of a replacement well permit generally require that the old well be plugged and sealed according to the
<br />Water Well Construction Rules. A blank report form is provided to the well owner when a replacement permit is issued. This
<br />report is also used to affirm that other types of wells and holes have been plugged and sealed. These reports must be
<br />completed and submitted to the Division of Water Resources, usually within 90 days of plugging and sealing the well /hole.
<br />This form may be reproduced by photocopy or computer means. If filing online please see online filing instructions for
<br />further information at www.water.state.co.us You may also save, print and email the completed form to.
<br />dwroermftsonline(cD-state.co.us
<br />RULE 16 STANDARDS FOR PLUGGING, SEALING, AND ABANDONING WELLS AND BOREHOLES
<br />16.1 General - The plugging, sealing and abandonment of all wells, monitoring and observation wells, monitoring and
<br />observation holes and test holes that are no longer intended for use, and the plugging, sealing, and abandonment of dry holes,
<br />collapsed or unusable boreholes, and other incomplete wells or excavations is necessary to prevent contamination of ground
<br />water and the migration of water through the borehole. It is the ultimate responsibility of the well owner to have an existing well
<br />properly plugged, sealed and abandoned. The well construction contractor or authorized individual is responsible for notifying
<br />the well owner in writing of these plugging requirements.
<br />16.1.1 In the event a borehole(s) is not completed for the intended purpose, the contractor will notify the well
<br />owner of the well owner's responsibility for the proper abandonment of the borehole(s)- according to Rule 161. If the well owner
<br />does not agree to allow the contractor to abandon the borehole(s), the contractor shall notify the Board of Examiners, in writing,
<br />of the existence of the borehole(s) and the contractor's effort to notify the well owner of the well owner's abandonment
<br />responsibilities under Rule 16.1
<br />16.1.2 Persons authorized to install pumping equipment may plug, seal and abandon wells that do not require the
<br />removal of casing that Oenetrates more than one aquifer or the ripping or perforating of casing opposite confining layers.
<br />16.1.3 Materials used for backfilling shall be clean, inert, and free from contaminants. The well casing may be cut
<br />off below land surface so that it will not interfere with the - anticipated use of the land. If the casing is cut off below land-surface,
<br />the uppermost five (5) feet of the remaining casing shall be filled with grout or a watertight cover shall be permanently attached
<br />to the remaining casing and the excavation shall be filled with materials that are not more permeable than the surrounding soils
<br />and adequately compacted to prevent settling.
<br />16.2 Wells br Boreholes in Type 11 and Type III Aquifers - Wells completed into unconfined aquifers and
<br />unconsolidated aquifers shall be plugged, sealed and abandoned by filling the well to the static water level with drill cuttings,
<br />clean sand or clean gravel, then with clean native clays, cement or high solid bentonite grout to the ground surface. The
<br />uppermost five (5) feet of casing shall be filled with grout or a permanent watertight cover shall be installed at the top of the
<br />casing. If casing is removed, the hole shall be filled as described above to within five (5) feet of the ground surface. The top five
<br />(5) feet of the hole shall be filled with materials less permeable than the surrounding soils that are adequately compacted to
<br />prevent settling.
<br />16.2.1 Dewatering wells, horizontal drains, monitoring and observation holes, percolation holes, piezometer holes,
<br />sumps, test holes and dry holes shall be plugged, sealed, and abandoned either pursuant to Rule 16.2 or by removing all casing
<br />that was installed and by filling the hole(s) with drill cuttings, clean native clays, cement or high solid bentonite grout to within five
<br />(5) feet of the ground surface. The top five (5) feet of the hole shall be filled with materials less permeable than the surrounding
<br />soils that are adequately compacted to prevent settling.
<br />16.3 Wells or Boreholes in Type I Aquifers - Wells which were constructed through more than one aquifer shall be
<br />plugged and sealed by placing a cement grout plug at the confining layer above each aquifer. If records do not show that the
<br />casing opposite each - confining layer has been grouted when originally installed, the casing shall be either completely removed
<br />from the hole, or perforated or ripped opposite such layer prior to placing the grout plug. Plugs shall be no less than forty (40)
<br />feet in length and shall be designed to withstand the maximum potential hydrostatic pressure differential between the aquifers.
<br />The well casing, except for the grout plug intervals, shall be completely filled to the land surface with clean native clays, cement
<br />or high solid bentonite grout. A watertight cover shall be permanently welded or attached to the top of the casing.
<br />If you have questions, contact the Denver or the Division Office where your well is located.
<br />Division 1
<br />Division 2
<br />Division 3
<br />Division 4
<br />810 9"' St. 2n° Floor
<br />310 E. Abriendo Ave Ste B
<br />301 Murphy Drive
<br />1871 East Main St.
<br />Greeley, CO 80631
<br />Pueblo, CO 81004
<br />Alamosa, CO 81101
<br />Montrose, CO 81401
<br />(970) 352 -8712
<br />(719) 542 -3368
<br />(719) 589-0683
<br />(970) 249 -6622
<br />Fax 970 392 -1816
<br />Fax 719 544-0800
<br />Fax 19 589 -6685
<br />Fax 970 249 -8728
<br />Division 5
<br />Division 6
<br />Division 7
<br />Denver Office
<br />Direct mail to Box 396
<br />202 Center Drive
<br />Direct mail to Box 773450
<br />160 Rock Point Dr., STE. E
<br />1313 Sherman St. Rm. 821
<br />Glenwood Spgs., CO 81601
<br />505 Anglers Dr. Suite 101
<br />Steamboat Spgs, CO 80477
<br />Durango, CO 81301
<br />Denver, CO 80203
<br />(303) 866 -3581
<br />(970) 945 -5665
<br />0
<br />(970) 247 -1845
<br />Fax (970) 259 -0944
<br />Fax (303) 866 -3589
<br />Fax (970) 945 -8741
<br />Fax (970) 879 -1070
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