If you have a water well on your property that you plan to take out of service, you can’t simply stop using it and forget about it. If improperly decommissioned, a water well can create multiple hazards. Professional water well abandonment services should be performed to prevent this from happening.
When buying a property with a decommissioned water well, it is crucial to determine if well abandonment was carried out properly. If it wasn’t, it’s time to renegotiate with the seller. Proper well abandonment should be completed before finalizing the sale. If the seller is unwilling to rectify the issue, you should probably reconsider the purchase.
Well Abandonment Hazards
Abandoned water wells can present a serious safety hazard, as well as an environmental one. If improperly sealed and filled, an abandoned well can serve as a conduit for contaminants to enter the groundwater system. This can pollute drinking water supplies and create health risks for people and animals.
Another hazard posed by abandoned wells is potential collapse. Over time, the walls of an unsecured well can weaken and eventually cave in. This poses a significant risk of injury to anyone who happens to be near the well when it collapses. In addition, a collapsed well can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests.
Improper water well abandonment could also result in fines to the property owner from local municipal governments.
Water well abandonment is therefore not something that should be taken lightly. If you have a water well on your property that you no longer use, it’s important to have it decommissioned by a professional well abandonment company. This will ensure that the well is sealed and filled properly, and prevent any safety or health hazards.
Well Abandoment Process
While the process may vary depending on the diameter and depth of the well, the following are the general steps for decommissioning a water well.
First, the well must be cleared of all obstructions. Any obstructions could create a void when filling the well and allow seepage. This includes the pump and other equipment. Then the well must be disinfected, filled, and properly sealed. This will prevent any contaminants from entering the groundwater system. When the fill nears the top of the well, the upper casing is removed. The amount of casing removed is typically 3 to 8 feet depending on the size of the well. Once the casing is removed, the well is capped. The opening is then backfilled and mounded with topsoil.
Again, this is just a general overview of the well abandonment process. The size, depth, and type of well will determine the exact steps necessary. A well drilling and repair professional will be able to thoroughly examine and evaluate your well and provide you with the best course of action to properly decommission it.
After these steps have been completed, the well will be properly decommissioned.
Need Water Well Abandonment Services?
The most important step in the well abandonment process is to hire a water well service that is dependable, reputable, honest, and has the experience necessary to properly decommission your well.
That’s why you should reach out to A-1 Well Drilling. We have been responsibly sealing and abandoning wells all over Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex, and Mercer counties for nearly a half-century. Whether you’re trying to decommission your well, install a new well, or need well repair, A-1 can do it all. We are fully licensed and insured, and even provide emergency well service. Our goal is to provide you with a quality job, done right the first time. Call us today to get started.
