DAR File No. 27392
Natural Resources, Water Rights
R655-4
Water Well Drillers
NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE
DAR File No.: 27392
Filed: 09/01/2004, 05:18
Received by: NL
RULE ANALYSIS
Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:
The Division of Water Rights needs to amend Rule R655-4 so it conforms with changes made in the Water Rights Law, Title 73, Chapter 3, by H.B. 232 during the 2004 legislative session. The Water Well Amendments in H.B. 232 revised well driller bonding, well driller licensing and renewal, and the definition of well drilling. In conjunction with the required changes needed to conform with the statute, other changes have also been proposed by the Division and licensed well drillers. Parts of the rules were clarified, reorganized and generally reworded to eliminate confusion or to make them more succinct. (DAR NOTE: H.B. 232 is found at UT L 2004 Ch 191, and was effective 05/03/2004.)
Summary of the rule or change:
The revisions pertain not only to the statute changes but also to other parts of the rule that required modification. Revisions involve the following items: 1) license renewal cycle; 2) well driller bonding; 3) agency Action process; 4) well drilling definition; 5) authorization to drill; 6) driller/operator relationship; 7) infractions; 8) continuing education; 9) well casing standards; 10) surface seal placement; 11) pitless adapter standards; 12) protection of the aquifer; and 13) jurisdiction pertaining to heating/cooling exchange wells.
State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:
Sections 73-3-22, 73-3-24, 73-3-25, and 73-3-26
Anticipated cost or savings to:
the state budget:
There will be no budgetary changes required as a result of this rule revision. The revisions to the well driller bonding rules primarily provide clarification and will not increase staff effort. Changes to the driller license renewal process will spread the staff workload out over two years and should not increase or decrease the overall staff effort. Other rule changes simply provide clarification and will not increase staff efforts or costs.
local governments:
There is no impact to local government because they are not involved in the regulation of water well drillers.
other persons:
The change from a one-year renewal cycle to a two-year renewal cycle will reduce by half the administrative efforts of licensed well drillers. Moreover, the license renewal fee will not change, which will reduce the cost of renewal in half over a two-year period. The well driller bonding requirements have been clarified, however, the amount of bonding required by a licensed driller will not change and should not financially impact them. The other rule changes are clarifications and should not impact licensed drillers, registered operators, or the public.
Compliance costs for affected persons:
There are approximately 160 licensed well drillers whose renewal fees will be reduced in half from $50 over a 2-year period to $25 over a 2-year period. Other changes provide clarification to existing rules and should not result in a compliance cost to licensed driller or registered operators.
Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:
Changes provide clarification to the existing rule and should not result in a fiscal impact on businesses.
The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:
Water Rights
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3154
Direct questions regarding this rule to:
Gail Nelson at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7370, by FAX at 801-538-7442, or by Internet E-mail at gailnelson@utah.gov
Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:
10/15/2004
This rule may become effective on:
10/16/2004
Authorized by:
Jerry Olds, Director
RULE TEXT
R655. Natural Resources, Water Rights.
R655-4. Water Well Drillers.
R655-4-1. Purpose, Scope, and Exclusions.
1.1 Purpose.
These rules are promulgated pursuant to Section 73-3-25. The purpose of these rules is to assist in the orderly development of underground water; insure that minimum construction standards are followed in the drilling, construction, deepening, repairing, renovating, cleaning, development, and abandonment of water wells and other regulated wells; prevent pollution of aquifers within the state; prevent wasting of water from flowing wells; obtain accurate records of well construction operations; and insure compliance with the state engineer's authority for appropriating water.
All administrative procedures involving applications, approvals, hearings, notices, revocations, orders and their judicial review, and all other administrative procedures required or allowed by these rules are governed by R655-6 "Administrative Procedures for Informal Proceedings Before the Division of Water Rights".
1.2 Scope.
The drilling, construction, deepening, repair, renovation, replacement, cleaning, development, or abandonment of the following types of wells is regulated by these administrative rules and the work must be completed by a licensed well driller. The rules contained herein pertain only to work on the well itself. These rules do not regulate the incidental work around the well such as pump and motor installation and repair; plumbing, electrical, and excavation work up to the well; and the building of well enclosures unless these activities directly impact or change the construction of the well itself. The process for an applicant to obtain approval to construct, or replace the wells listed below in 1.2.1, 1.2.2, or 1.2.3 is outlined in Section R655-4-7 of these rules. The process for an applicant to obtain approval to construct, deepen, repair, clean, or replace the wells listed below in 1.2.4, 1.2.5, or 1.2.6 is outlined in Appendix 1.
1.2.1 Cathodic protection wells.
1.2.2 Heating or cooling exchange wells which are 30 feet or greater in depth and which encounter formations containing groundwater. If a separate well or borehole is required for re-injection purposes, it must also comply with these administrative rules.
1.2.3 Monitor wells which are completed to a depth
of 30 feet [of]or greater.
1.2.4 Private water production wells which are completed
to a depth of 30 feet [of]or greater.
1.2.5 Public water system supply wells.
1.2.6 Recharge and recovery wells which are drilled under the provisions of Title 73, Chapter 3b "Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act" Utah Code Annotated.
1.3 Exclusions.
The construction, repair, replacement, or abandonment of the following types of wells or boreholes are excluded from regulation under these administrative rules:
1.3.1 Any cathodic protection wells, heating or cooling exchange wells, monitor wells and water production wells that are constructed to a final depth of less than 30 feet. However, diversion and beneficial use of groundwater from wells less than 30 feet deep shall require approval through the appropriation procedures and policies of the state engineer and Title 73, Chapter 3 of the Utah Code Annotated.
1.3.2 Geothermal wells. [However]Although not regulated under the
Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers, geothermal wells are subject
to Section 73-22-1 "Utah Geothermal Resource Conservation Act" Utah
Code Annotated and the rules promulgated by the state engineer including
Section R655-1, Wells Used for the Discovery and Production of Geothermal
Energy in the State of Utah.
1.3.3 Temporary exploratory wells drilled to obtain information on the subsurface strata on which an embankment or foundation is to be placed or an area proposed to be used as a potential source of material for construction.
1.3.4 Wells or boreholes constructed to monitor man-made structures, house instrumentation to monitor structural performance, or dissipate hydraulic pressures on structures provided the wells or boreholes do not interfere with established aquifers or their primary purpose is not for monitoring water quality.
1.3.5 Wells or boreholes drilled or constructed into non-water bearing zones or which are less than 30 feet in depth for the purpose of utilizing heat from the surrounding earth.
1.3.6 Geotechnical borings drilled [for
Preliminary Site Assessment (PSA) or ]to obtain lithologic data which are
not installed for the purpose of utilizing or monitoring groundwater.
R655-4-2. Definitions.
ABANDONED WELL - any well which is not in use and has been filled or plugged so that it is rendered unproductive and will prevent contamination of groundwater. A properly abandoned well will not produce water nor serve as a channel for movement of water from the well or between water bearing zones.
AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARDS INSTITUTE (ANSI) - a nationally recognized testing laboratory that certifies building products and adopts standards including those for steel and plastic (PVC) casing utilized in the well drilling industry. ANSI standards are often adopted for use by ASTM and AWWA. Current information on standards can be obtained from: ANSI, 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS (ASTM) - an independent organization concerned with the development of standards on characteristics and performance of materials, products and systems including those utilized in the well drilling industry. Information may be obtained from: ASTM, 1916 Race Street, Philadelphia, PA 19013.
AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION (AWWA) - an international association which publishes standards intended to represent a consensus of the water supply industry that the product or procedure described in the standard will provide satisfactory service or results. Information may be obtained from: AWWA, 6666 West Quincy Avenue, Denver CO 80235.
ANNULAR SPACE - the space between the inner well casing and the outer well casing or borehole.
[ APPRENTICE
- an apprentice drill rig operator is an individual who is employed by a
licensed Utah Water Well Driller; who works under the direct supervision of the
licensee or a drill rig operator; who assists with, but never has responsible
charge for the construction of water wells; and who uses equipment that is
under the direct control of the licensee.
] AQUIFER - a porous underground formation yielding with[]drawable water.
ARTESIAN AQUIFER - a water-bearing formation which contains underground water under sufficient pressure to rise above the zone of saturation.
ARTESIAN WELL - a well where the water level rises appreciably above the zone of saturation.
BENTONITE - a highly plastic, highly absorbent, colloidal swelling clay composed largely of mineral sodium montmorillonite. Bentonite is commercially available in powdered, granular, tablet, pellet, or chip form which is hydrated with potable water and used for a variety of purposes including the stabilization of borehole walls during drilling, the control of potential or existing high fluid pressures encountered during drilling below a water table, well abandonment, and to provide a seal in the annular space between the well casing and borehole wall.
BENTONITE GROUT - a mixture of bentonite and potable water specifically designed to seal and plug wells and boreholes mixed at manufacturer's specifications to a grout consistency which can be pumped through a pipe directly into the annular space of a well or used for abandonment. Its primary purpose is to seal the borehole or well in order to prevent the subsurface migration or communication of fluids.
CASH BOND - A type of well driller bond in the form of a certificate of deposit (CD) submitted and assigned to the State Engineer by a licensed driller to satisfy the required bonding requirements.
CASING - a tubular retaining and sealing structure that is installed in the borehole to maintain the well opening.
CATHODIC PROTECTION WELL - a well constructed for the purpose of installing deep anodes to minimize or prevent electrolytic corrosive action of metallic structures installed below ground surface, such as pipelines, transmission lines, well casings, storage tanks, or pilings.
CONFINING UNIT - a geological layer either of unconsolidated material, usually clay or hardpan, or bedrock, usually shale, through which virtually no water moves.
CONSOLIDATED FORMATION - bedrock consisting of sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rock (e.g, shale, sandstone, limestone, quartzite, conglomerate, basalt, granite, tuff, etc.).
DISINFECTION - or disinfecting is the use of chlorine or other disinfecting agent or process approved by the state engineer, in sufficient concentration and contact time adequate to inactivate coliform or other organisms.
DRAWDOWN - the difference in elevation between the static and pumping water levels.
DRILL RIG - any power-driven percussion, rotary, boring, coring, digging, jetting, or augering machine used in the construction of a well or borehole.
EMERGENCY SITUATION - any situation where immediate action is required to protect life or property. Emergency status would also extend to any situation where life is not immediately threatened but action is needed immediately and it is not possible to contact the state engineer for approval. For example, it would be considered an emergency if a domestic well needed immediate repair over a weekend when the state engineer's offices are closed.
GRAVEL PACKED WELL - a well in which filter material is placed in the annular space to increase the effective diameter of the well and to prevent fine-grained sediments from entering the well.
GROUNDWATER - subsurface water in a zone of saturation.
GROUT
- a fluid mixture of Portland cement or bentonite with water of a consistency
that can be forced through a pipe and placed as required. Various additives[, of] such as
sand, bentonite, and hydrated lime[,] may be included in the mixture to
meet different requirements.
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING - the process whereby water or other fluid is pumped under high pressure into a well to fracture and clean-out the reservoir rock surrounding the well bore thus increasing the flow to the well.
MONITOR
WELL - a well, as defined under "well" in [Subsection
R655-4-2(2.8)]this section, that is constructed for the purpose of
determining water levels, monitoring chemical, bacteriological, radiological,
or other physical properties of ground water or vadose zone water.
NATIONAL SANITATION FOUNDATION (NSF) - a voluntary third party consensus standards and testing entity established under agreement with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop testing and adopt standards and certification programs for all direct and indirect drinking water additives and products.
Information may be obtained from: NSF, 3475 Plymouth Road, P O Box 1468, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106.
NEAT
CEMENT GROUT - cement conforming to the [American Society for testing and
Materials (]ASTM[)] Standard C150 (standard specification of
Portland cement), with no more than six [(6) ]gallons of water per 94
pound sack (one cubic foot) of cement of sufficient weight density of
not less than15 lbs/gallon.
OPERATOR - a drill rig operator is an individual who works under the direct supervision of a licensed Utah Water Well Driller and who can be left in responsible charge to construct water wells using equipment that is under the direct control of the licensee.
PITLESS
ADAPTER OR UNIT - an assembly of parts designed for attachment to a well casing
which allows buried pump discharge from the well and allows access to the
interior of the well casing for installation or removal of the pump or pump
appurtenances, while preventing contaminants from entering the well. Such devices protect the water and
distribution lines from temperature extremes, permit [termination]extension
of the casing above ground as required in Subsection R655-4-[8(8.2)]9.3.2
and allow access to the well, pump or system components within the well without
exterior excavation or disruption of surrounding earth or surface seal.
POLLUTION - the alteration of the physical, thermal, chemical, or biological quality of, or the contamination of, any water that renders the water harmful, detrimental, or injurious to humans, animals, vegetation, or property, or to public health, safety, or welfare, or impairs the usefulness or the public enjoyment of the water for any or reasonable purpose.
POTABLE WATER - water supplied for human consumption, sanitary use, or for the preparation of food or pharmaceutical products which is free from biological, chemical, physical, and radiological impurities.
PRESSURE
GROUTING - a process by which grout is confined within the drillhole or casing
by the use of retaining plugs [in]or packers and by which
sufficient pressure is applied to drive the grout slurry into the annular space
or zone to be grouted.
PRIVATE WATER PRODUCTION WELL - a privately owned well constructed to supply water for any purpose which has been approved by the state engineer (such as irrigation, stockwater, domestic, commercial, industrial, etc.).
PROBATION - A disciplinary action that may be taken by the state engineer that entails greater review and regulation of well drilling activities but which does not prohibit a well driller from engaging in the well drilling business or operating well drilling equipment.
PROVISIONAL WELL - authorization granted by the state engineer to drill under a pending, unapproved water right or exchange; or for the purpose of determining characteristics of an aquifer, or the existence of a useable groundwater source.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM SUPPLY WELL - a well, either publicly or privately owned, providing water for human consumption and other domestic uses which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily for at least 60 days out of the year.
PUMPING LEVEL - the elevation of the surface of the water in a well after a period of pumping at a given rate.
REVOCATION - A disciplinary action that may be taken by the state engineer that rescinds the well driller's Utah Water Well Driller's License
SAND - a material having a prevalent grain size ranging from 2 millimeters to 0.06 millimeters.
SAND CEMENT GROUT - a grout consisting of equal parts of cement conforming to ASTM standard C150 and sand/aggregate with no more than six (6) gallons of water per 94 pound sack (one cubic foot) of cement.
STANDARD DIMENSION RATIO (SDR) - the ratio of average outside pipe diameter to minimum pipe wall thickness.
STATE ENGINEER - the director of the Utah Division of Water Rights or any employee of the Division of Water Rights designated by the state engineer to act in administering these rules.
STATIC LEVEL - stabilized water level in a non-pumped well beyond the area of influence of any pumping well.
SURETY BOND - an indemnity agreement in a sum certain and payable to the state engineer, executed by the licensee as principal and which is supported by the guarantee of a corporation authorized to transact business as a surety in the State of Utah.
SUSPENSION - A disciplinary action that may be taken by the state engineer that prohibits the well driller from engaging in the well drilling business or operating well drilling equipment as a registered operator for a definite period of time and /or until certain conditions are met.
TREMIE PIPE - a device that carries materials to a designated depth in a drill hole or annular space.
UNCONSOLIDATED
FORMATION - loose, soft, incoherent rock material composed of sedimentary,
igneous, or metamorphic rock which includes sand, gravel, and mixtures of sand
and gravel. These formations are widely
distributed and can possess good water storage and [water ]transmissivity
characteristics.
UNHYDRATED BENTONITE - dry bentonite consisting primarily of granules, tablets, pellets, or chips that may be placed in a well or borehole in the dry state and hydrated in place by either formation water or by the addition of potable water into the well or borehole containing the dry bentonite. Unhydrated bentonite can be used for sealing and abandonment of wells.
VADOSE ZONE - the zone containing water under less than atmospheric pressure, including soil water, intermediate vadose water and capillary water. The zone extends from land surface to the zone of saturation or water table.
WELL - a horizontal or vertical excavation or opening into the ground made by digging, boring, drilling, jetting, augering, or driving or any other artificial method for utilizing or monitoring underground waters.
WELL DRILLER - any person who is licensed by the state engineer to construct water wells for compensation or otherwise. The licensed driller has total responsibility for the construction work in progress at the well drilling site.
WELL DRILLER BOND - A financial guarantee to the state engineer, in the form of a surety bond or cash bond, by which a licensed driller binds himself to pay the penal sum of $5,000 to the state engineer in the event of significant noncompliance with the Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers.
WELL
DRILLING - the act of drilling, constructing, repairing, renovating, or
deepening, cleaning, developing, or abandoning a well[, including all
incidental work].
R655-4-3. Licenses and Registrations.
3.1 General.
3.1.1 Section 73-3-25 of the Utah Code requires
every person that constructs a well in the state to obtain a license from the
state engineer. Licenses and
registrations are not transferable.[
All licenses, registrations, and listings expire at 12 midnight on
December 31 of the year in which they are issued and are not transferable.]
3.1.2 Any person found to be drilling a well
without a valid well driller's license or operator's registration will be
ordered to cease drilling by the state engineer. The order may be made verbally but must also be followed by a
written order. The order may be posted
at an unattended well drilling site. A
person found drilling without a license will be prosecuted under Section
73-3-26 of the Utah Code annotated, 1953. ([s]See [Subsection R655-4-5(5.8)]Appendix
2 Selected Water Laws of Utah).
3.2 Well Driller's License.
An applicant must meet the following requirements to become licensed as a Utah Water Well Driller:
3.2.1 Applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
3.2.2 Complete and submit the application form provided by the state engineer.
3.2.3 Pay the application fee approved by the state legislature.
3.2.4 Provide documentation of at least two (2) years of full time prior water well drilling experience OR documentation of 15 wells constructed by the applicant under the supervision of a licensed well driller. A copy of the well log for each well constructed must be included. The documentation must also show the applicant's experience with each type of drilling rig to be listed on the license. Acceptable documentation will include registration with the Division of Water Rights, letters from licensed well drillers (Utah or other states), or a water well drilling license granted by another state, etc.
Successful completion of classroom study in geology, well drilling, map reading, and other related subjects may be substituted for up to, but not exceeding, 12 months of drilling experience, and for up to, but not exceeding, five (5) of the required drilled wells. The state engineer will determine the number of months of drilling experience and the number of drilled wells that will be credited for the classroom study.
3.2.5 [File a bond in the sum of $5,000 with
the Division of Water Rights which is conditioned upon proper compliance with
the law and these rules and which is effective for the calender year in which
the license is to be issued. The bond
shall stipulate the obligee as the "Office of the State Engineer".]File
a well driller bond in the sum of $5,000 with the Division of Water Rights
payable to the state engineer. The well
driller bond must be filed under the conditions and criteria described in
Section 4-3.6.
3.2.6 Obtain a score of at least 70% on each of the written licensing examinations required and administered by the state engineer. The required examinations test the applicant's knowledge of:
a. The Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers and Utah water law as it pertains to underground water;
b. The minimum construction standards established by the state engineer for water well construction;
c. Geologic formations and proper names used in describing underground material types;
d. Reading maps and locating points from descriptions based on section, township, and range;
e. Groundwater geology and the occurrence and movement of groundwater;
f. The proper operating procedures and construction methods associated with the various types of water well drilling rigs. (A separate test is required for each type of water well drilling rig to be listed on the license).
3.2.7 Demonstrate proficiency in resolving problem situations that might be encountered during the construction of a water well by passing an oral examination administered by the state engineer.
3.3 Drill Rig Operator's Registration.
An applicant must meet the following requirements to become registered as a drill rig operator:
3.3.1 Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
3.3.2 Complete and submit the application form provided by the state engineer.
3.3.3 Pay the application fee approved by the state legislature.
3.3.4 Provide documentation of at least six (6)
months of prior water well drilling experience. The documentation must show the applicant's experience with each
type of drilling rig to be listed on the registration. Acceptable documentation will include [being
listed as an apprentice with the Division of Water Rights, ]letters from
licensed well drillers[,] or registration as an operator in another
state.
3.3.5 Obtain a score of at least 70% on a written examination of the minimum construction standards established by the state engineer for water well construction. The test will be provided to the licensed well driller by the state engineer. The licensed well driller will administer the test to the prospective operator and return it to the state engineer for scoring.
[ 3.4 Apprenticeship Listing. An applicant must meet the following
requirements to become listed as an apprentice drill rig operator:
3.4.1 Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.
3.4.2 Complete
and submit the application form provided by the state engineer.
] 3.4[5] Conditional, Restricted, or Limited
Licenses.
The state engineer may issue a restricted, conditional, or limited license to an applicant based on prior drilling experience.
3.5[6] Refusal to Issue a License or
Registration.
The state engineer may, upon investigation and after a hearing, refuse to issue a license or a registration to an applicant if it appears the applicant has not had sufficient training or experience to qualify as a competent well driller or operator.
3.6 Well Driller Bond.
3.6.1 General
3.6.1.1. In order to become licensed and to continue licensure, a well driller must file a well driller bond in the form of a surety bond or cash bond, approved by the state engineer, in the sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) with the Division of Water Rights, on a form provided by the Division, which is conditioned upon proper compliance with the law and these rules and which is effective for the licensing period in which the license is to be issued. The bond shall stipulate the obligee as the "Office of the State Engineer". The well driller bond is penal in nature and is designed to ensure compliance by the licensed well driller to protect the groundwater resource, the environment, and public health and safety. The bond may only be exacted by the state engineer for the purposes of investigating, repairing, or abandoning wells in accordance with applicable rules and standards. No other person or entity may initiate a claim against the well driller bond. Lack of a current and valid well driller bond shall be deemed sufficient grounds for denial of a driller's license. The well driller bond may consist of a surety bond or a cash bond as described below.
3.6.2 Surety Bonds.
3.6.2.1. The licensed well driller and a surety company or corporation authorized to do business in the State of Utah as surety shall bind themselves and their successors and assigns jointly and severally to the state engineer for the use and benefit of the public in full penal sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000). The surety bond shall specifically cover the licensee's compliance with the Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers found in R655-4 of the Utah Administrative Code. Forfeiture of the surety bond shall be predicated upon a failure to drill, construct, repair, renovate, deepen, clean, develop, or abandon a regulated well in accordance with these rules (R655-4 UAC). The bond shall be made payable to the 'Utah State Engineer' upon forfeiture. The surety bond must be effective and exactable in the State of Utah.
3.6.2.2. The bond and any subsequent renewal certificate shall specifically identify the licensed individual covered by that bond. The licensee shall notify the state engineer of any change in the amount or status of the bond. The licensee shall notify the state engineer of any cancellation or change at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of such cancellation or change. Prior to the expiration of the 30-days notice of cancellation, the licensee shall deliver to the state engineer a replacement surety bond or transfer to a cash bond. If such a bond is not delivered, all activities covered by the license and bond shall cease at the expiration of the 30 day period. Termination shall not relieve the licensee or surety of any liability for incidences that occurred during the time the bond was in force.
3.6.2.3. Before the bond is forfeited by the licensed driller and exacted by the state engineer, the licensed driller shall have the option of resolving the noncompliance to standard either by personally doing the work or by paying to have another licensed driller do the work. If the driller chooses not to resolve the problem that resulted in noncompliance, the entire bond amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be forfeited by the surety and expended by the state engineer to investigate, repair or abandon the well(s) in accordance with the standards in R655-4 UAC. Any excess there from shall be retained by the state engineer and expended for the purpose of investigating, repairing, or abandoning wells in accordance with applicable rules and standards. All claims initiated by the state engineer against the surety bond will be made in writing.
3.6.2.4. The bond of a surety company that has failed, refused or unduly delayed to pay, in full, on a forfeited bond is not approvable.
3.6.3 Cash Bonds.
3.6.3.1. The requirements for the well driller bond may alternatively be satisfied by a cash bond in the form of a certificate of deposit (CD) for the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) issued by a federally insured bank or credit union with an office(s) in the State of Utah. The cash bond must be in the form of a CD. Savings accounts, checking accounts, letters of credit, etc., are not acceptable cash bonds. The CD shall specifically identify the licensed individual covered by that fund. The CD shall be automatically renewable and fully assignable to the state engineer. CD shall state on its face that it is automatically renewable.
3.6.3.2. The cash bond shall specifically cover the licensee's compliance with well drilling rules found in R655-4 of the Utah Administrative Code. The CD shall be made payable or assigned to the state engineer and placed in the possession of the state engineer. If assigned, the state engineer shall require the bank or credit union issuing the CD to waive all rights of setoff or liens against those CD. The CD, if a negotiable instrument, shall be placed in the state engineer's possession. If the CD is not a negotiable instrument, the CD and a withdrawal receipt, endorsed by the licensee, shall be placed in the state engineer's possession.
3.6.3.3. The licensee shall submit CDs in such a manner which will allow the state engineer to liquidate the CD prior to maturity, upon forfeiture, for the full amount without penalty to the state engineer. Any interest accruing on a CD shall be for the benefit of the licensee.
3.6.3.4. The period of liability for a cash bond is five (years) after the expiration, suspension, or revocation of the license. The cash bond will be held by the state engineer until the five year period is over, then it will be relinquished to the licensed driller. In the event that a cash bond is replaced by a surety bond, the period of liability, during which time the cash bond will be held by the state engineer, shall be five (5) years from the date the new surety bond becomes effective.
3.6.4 Exacting a Well Driller Bond.
3.6.4.1. If the state engineer determines, following an investigation and a hearing in accordance with the process defined in Section 4-5, that the licensee has failed to comply with the Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers and refused to remedy the noncompliance, the state engineer may suspend or revoke a well driller's license and fully exact the well driller bond and deposit the money as a non-lapsing dedicated credit.
3.6.4.2. The state engineer may expend the funds derived from the bond to investigate or correct any deficiencies which could adversely affect the public interest resulting from non-compliance with the Administrative Rules by any well driller.
3.6.4.3. The state engineer shall send written notification by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the licensee and the surety on the bond, if applicable, informing them of the determination to exact the well driller bond. The state engineer's decision regarding the noncompliance will be attached to the notification which will provide facts and justification for bond exaction. In the case of a surety bond exaction, the surety company will then forfeit the total bond amount to the state engineer. In the case of a cash bond, the state engineer will cash out the CD. The exacted well driller bond funds may then be used by the state engineer to cover the costs of well investigation, repair, and/or abandonment.
R655-4-4. Administrative Requirements and General Procedures.
4.1 Authorization to Drill.
The
well driller shall make certain that a valid authorization or approval to drill
exists before beginning drilling or work on a well. [A valid a]Authorization to drill shall consist of a
valid 'start card' based on any of the [items]approvals
listed below. Items 4.1.1 through 4.1.[7]11
allow the applicant to contract with a well driller to drill, replace,
renovate, or abandon exactly one well at each location listed on the start
card or approval form. The
drilling of multiple borings/wells at an approved location/POD is not allowed
without authorization from the state engineer's office. Most start cards list the date when the
authorization to drill expires. If the
expiration date has passed, the start card is no longer valid. If there is no expiration date on the start
card, the driller must contact the state engineer's office to determine if the
authorization to drill is still valid.
When the work is completed, the permission to drill is terminated.
4.1.1 An approved application to appropriate.
4.1.2 A provisional well approval letter.
An approved provisional well letter grants authority to drill but allows only enough water to be diverted to determine the characteristics of an aquifer or the existence of a useable groundwater source.
4.1.3 An approved permanent change application.
4.1.4 An approved exchange application.
4.1.5 An approved temporary change application.
4.1.6 An approved application to renovate or deepen an existing well.
4.1.7 An approved application to replace an existing well.
4.1.8 An approved monitor well letter.
An approved monitor well letter grants authority to drill but allows only enough water to be diverted to monitor groundwater.
4.1.9 An approved heat exchange well letter.
4.1.10 An approved cathodic protection well letter.
4.1.11[9] Any letter or document from the state
engineer directing or authorizing a well to be drilled or work to be done on a
well.
4.2 Start Cards.
4.2.1 Prior to commencing any work (other than
abandonment, see 4.2.4) on any well governed by these administrative rules, the
driller must notify the state engineer of that intention by transmitting the
information on the "Start Card" to the state engineer by telephone,
by facsimile (FAX), by hand delivery, or by e-mail. A completed original Start Card [OR a
facsimile (FAX) of the Start Card ]must be sent to the state engineer by
the driller after it has been telephoned or E-mailed.
4.2.2 A specific Start Card is printed for each well drilling approval and is furnished by the state engineer to the applicant or the well owner. The start card is preprinted with the water right number/provisional/monitor well number, owner name/address, and the approved location of the well. The state engineer marks the approved well drilling activity on the card. The driller must put the following information on the card:
a. The date on which work on the well will commence;
b. The projected completion date of the work;
c. The well driller's license number;
d. The well driller's signature.
4.2.3 When a single authorization is given to drill wells at more than one point of diversion, a start card shall be submitted for each location to be drilled.
4.2.4 A start card is not required to abandon a well. However, prior to commencing well abandonment work, the driller is required to notify the state engineer by telephone, by facsimile, or by e-mail of the proposed abandonment work. The notice must include the location of the well. The notice should also include the water right number associated with the well and the well owner if that information is available.
4.3 General Requirements During Construction.
4.3.1 The well driller shall have the required penal bond continually in effect during the term of the well driller's license.
4.3.2 The well driller's license number or the well driller's company name exactly as shown on the well drilling license must be prominently displayed on each well drilling rig operated under the well driller's license. If the well driller's company name is changed the well driller must immediately inform the state engineer of the change in writing.
4.3.3 A licensed well driller or a registered operator must be at the well site whenever the following aspects of well construction are in process: advancing the borehole, setting casing and screen, placing a filter pack, constructing a surface seal, or similar activities involved in well renovation or repair, or abandoning a well. All registered operators working under a well driller's license must be employees of the well driller and must use equipment either owned by or leased by the licensed well driller.
4.3.4 A[n] registered operator who
is left in responsible charge of advancing the borehole, setting casing and
screen, placing a filter pack, constructing a surface seal, or similar
activities involved in well renovation or repair, or abandoning a well must
have a working knowledge of the minimum construction standards and the proper
operation of the drilling rig. The
licensed well driller is responsible to ensure that a[n] registered operator
is adequately trained to meet these requirements. If, during a field inspection by the staff of the Division of
Water Rights, it is determined that a[n] registered operator in
responsible charge does not meet these requirements, a state engineer's red tag
(see [paragraph]Section 4.3.5[ below]) will be placed on
the drilling rig and the drilling
operation will be shut down. The order
to cease work will remain effective until a qualified person is available to
perform the work.
4.3.5 The state engineer or staff of the Division of Water Rights may order that work cease on the construction, repair, or abandonment of a well if a field inspection reveals that the construction does not meet the minimum construction standards to the extent that the public interest might be adversely affected. A cease work order may also be issued if the well driller is not licensed for the drilling method being used for the well construction. The state engineer's order will be in the form of a red tag which will be attached to the drilling rig. A letter from the state engineer will be sent to the licensed driller to explain the sections of the administrative rules which were violated. The letter will also explain the requirements that must be met before the order can be lifted.
4.3.6 When required by the state engineer, the well driller or registered operator shall take lithologic samples at the specified intervals and submit them in the bags provided by the state engineer.
4.3.7 A copy of the current Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers should be available at each well construction site for review by the construction personnel.
4.4 Removing Drill Rig From Well Site.
4.4.1 A well driller shall not remove his drill
rig from a well site unless the well is completed or abandoned. Completion of a well shall include all
surface seals, gravel[s] packs, or curbs required.
4.4.2 For the purposes of these rules, the construction, repair or abandonment work on a well will be considered completed when the well driller removes his drilling rig from the well site.
4.4.3 The well driller may request a variance from the state engineer. The written request must indicate that the well has been temporarily abandoned as provided in Section R655-4-12 and must give the date when the well driller plans to continue work.
4.5 Official Well Driller's Report (Well Log).
4.5.1 Within 30 days of the completion of work on
any well, the driller shall file an official well driller's report (well log)
with the state engineer. The blank well
log form will be mailed to the licensed well driller upon receipt of the information
on the Start Card as described in Subsection [R655-4-4(4.2)]4.2.
4.5.2 The water right number/provisional/monitor well number, owner name/address, and the approved location of the well will be preprinted on the blank well log provided to the well driller. The driller is required to verify this information and make any necessary changes on the well log prior to submittal. The state engineer will mark the approved activity (e.g., new, replace, repair, deepen) on the well log. The driller must provide the following information on the well log:
a. The start and completion date of work on the well;
b. The nature of use for the well (e.g., domestic, irrigation, stock watering, commercial, municipal, provisional, monitor, cathodic protection, heat pump, etc.;
c. The borehole diameter, depth interval, drilling method and drilling fluids utilized to drill the well;
d. The lithologic log of the well based on strata samples taken from the borehole as drilling progresses;
e. Static water level information to include date of measurement, static level, measurement method, reference point, artesian flow and pressure, and water temperature;
f. The size, type, description, joint type, and depth intervals of casing, screen, and perforations;
g. A description of the filter pack, surface and interval seal material, and packers used in the well along with necessary related information such as the depth interval, quantity, and mix ratio;
h. A description of the finished wellhead configuration;
i. The date and method of well development;
j. The date, method, yield, drawdown, and elapsed time of a well yield test;
k. A description of pumping equipment (if available);
l. Other comments pertinent to the well activity completed;
m. The well driller's statement to include the driller name, license number, signature, and date.
4.5.3 Accuracy and completeness of the submitted well log are required. Of particular importance is the lithologic section which should accurately reflect the geologic strata penetrated during the drilling process. Sample identification must be logged in the field as the borehole advances and the information transferred to the well log form for submission to the state engineer.
4.5.4 An amended well log shall be submitted by the licensed driller if it becomes known that the original report contained inaccurate or incorrect information, or if the original report requires supplemental data or information. Any amended well log must be accompanied by a written statement, signed and dated by the licensed well driller, attesting to the circumstances and the reasons for submitting the amended well log.
4.6 Official Well Abandonment Reports (Abandonment Logs).
4.6.1 Whenever a well driller is contracted to replace an existing well under state engineer's approval, it shall be the responsibility of the well driller to inform the well owner that it is required by law to permanently abandon the old well in accordance with the provisions of Section R655-4-12.
4.6.2 Within 30 days of the completion of abandonment work on any well, the driller shall file an abandonment log with the state engineer. The blank abandonment log will be mailed to the licensed well driller upon notice to the state engineer of commencement of abandonment work as described in Subsection R655-4-4(4.2.4).
4.6.3 The water right number/provisional/monitor
well number, owner name/address, and the well location (if available)[.]
will be preprinted on the blank abandonment log provided to the well
driller. The driller is required to
verify this information and make any necessary changes on the abandonment log
prior to submitting the log. The
driller must provide the following information on the abandonment log:
a. Existing well construction information;
b. Date of abandonment;
c. Reason for abandonment;
d. A description of the abandonment method;
e. A description of the abandonment materials including depth intervals, material type, quantity, and mix ratio;
f. Replacement well information (if applicable);
g. The well driller's statement to include the driller
name, license number, signature, and date.
4.6.4 When a well is replaced and the well owner will not allow the driller to abandon the existing well, the driller must briefly explain the situation on the abandonment form and submit the form to the state engineer within 30 days of completion of the replacement well.
4.7 Incomplete or Incorrectly Completed Reports.
An incomplete well/abandonment log or a well/abandonment log that has not been completed correctly will be returned to the licensed well driller to be completed or corrected. The well log will not be considered filed with the state engineer until it is complete and correct.
4.8 Extensions of Time.
The well driller may request an extension of time for filing the well log if there are circumstances which prevent the driller from obtaining the necessary information before the expiration of the 30 days. The extension request must be submitted in writing before the end of the 30[]-day period.
R655-4-5. Infractions of the Administrative Requirements and the Minimum Construction Standards.
5.1 List of Infractions and Points.
Licensed well drillers who commit the infractions listed below in Table 1 shall have assessed against their well drilling record the number of points assigned to the infraction.
TABLE 1
Infractions of Administrative Requirements
Points
Start Cards/Authorization
Failure to properly notify the
state engineer before the
proposed start date shown
on the start card[of construction] 20
Performing any well drilling activity without
valid authorization (except in
emergency situations) 100
Well Logs
Intentionally making a material
misstatement of fact in an official
well driller's report or amended
official well driller's report
(well log) 100
Well log submitted late 10
Well Abandonment
Well abandonment report submitted
late [30]10
Licenses
Intentionally making a material
misstatement of fact in the
application for a well driller's
license 100
Well driller license or well driller
name not clearly posted on well
drilling rig 10
Failing to notify the state engineer
in a timely manner of a change in
the well driller's company name 10
Operators / Contract Drillers
Employing an operator who is not
registered with the state 75
Contracting out work to an
unlicen[c]sed driller (using the
unlicensed driller's rig) without
prior written approval from the state 75
Infractions of Construction Standards / Conditions
Points
Approvals
Constructing a replacement well
further than 150 ft from the
original well without the
authorization of an approved
change application 50
Failing to comply with any conditions
included on the well approval such as
minimum or maximum depths, specified
locations of perforations, etc. 50
Using a method of drilling not listed
on the well driller's license 30
Performing any well construction
activity in violation of a red tag
cease work order 100
Casing
Using or attempting to use sub-standard
well casing 50
Using improper casing joints 40
Failure to extend well casing at least
18" above ground 30
Surface Seals
[Using improper procedures to install]
a surface seal 50
Using improper products to install a
surface seal 50
Using improper products or procedures
to install a surface seal 100
Failure to seal off artesian flow on
the outside of casing 100
Failure to install surface seal to
adequate depth based on formation type 100
Well Abandonment
Using improper procedures to abandon
a well 50
Using improper products to abandon a
well 50
Construction Fluids
Using water of unacceptable quality
in the well drilling operation 40
Using improper circulation materials 30
Using an unacceptable mud pit 20
Filter Packs
Failure to install filter pack properly 40
Failure to disinfect filter pack 30
Well Completion
Failure to make well accessible to
water level or pressure head measurements 30
Failure to install casing annular seals,
cap, and valving, and to control
artesian flow 30
Removing the well drilling rig from
the well site before completing the
well or temporarily or permanently
abandoning the well 50
General
Failure to securely cover an
unattended well during construction 30
5.2 When Points Are Assessed.
Points will be assessed against a driller's record upon verification by the state engineer that an infraction has occurred. Points will be assessed at the time the state engineer becomes aware of the infraction regardless of when the infraction occurred.
5.3 Appeal of Infractions.
Well drillers may appeal each infraction in writing within 30 days of written notification by the state engineer.
5.4 Warning Letter.
When the number of points assessed against the well driller's record
equals seventy-five (75) points, a warning letter will be sent to the well
driller. The letter will notify the
driller that if he continues to violate the administrative requirements or minimum
construction standards contained in the Administrative Rules for Water Well
Drillers, a hearing will be held to determine if his license should be
suspended or revoked or the bond exacted.
The letter will also describe the options available to the driller to
delete points from the record as described in Subsection R655-4-[5(5.10)]5.7. A copy of the driller's infraction record
will be included with the letter. In
the event numerous points are assessed against the well drillers record so that
the total surpasses seventy-five (75) and one hundred (100) points at the same
time, no warning letter will be sent.
5.5 Notice of Agency Action.
5.5.1 When the number of points
assessed against the well driller's record equals 100, a Notice of Agency
Action (NAA) will be sent to the well driller.
The NAA will set forth the alleged facts, provide an opportunity for a
response from the well driller, and provide notice of the[a] hearing
[will be scheduled to consider whether the well driller's license should be
suspended or revoked.]scheduled to consider the issues. The hearing will be scheduled at least 10
days from the date the NAA is mailed.
The NAA will indicate the date, time, and place of the hearing.[ The state engineer will determine the
duration of the revocation or suspension period.]
[5.6]5.5.2 A NAA may also be sent and a hearing
may also be convened as a result of a complaint filed by a well owner
regardless of the total number of points shown on the well driller's record.
[5.7]5.5.3 [A well driller will be given ten (10)
days notice, by registered mail, of any hearing which is scheduled to consider
suspending or revoking the well driller's license or exacting the well
driller's bond.]The purpose of the hearing will be to determine if
disciplinary action is necessary regarding the water well driller's Utah Water
Well License. The hearing will be
conducted informally according to the rules adopted under Sections 63-46b-4 and
63-45b-5. The hearing will be
recorded. At the hearing, testimony will
be taken under oath regarding the alleged facts included in the NAA. Those providing testimony may include the
water well driller, the well owner, Division of Water Rights staff, and others
as deemed necessary. Evidence that is
pertinent to the alleged facts may also be presented at the hearing. After considering the testimony and the
evidence presented at the hearing, the State Engineer may determine either that
there is no cause for action against the well driller's license or that
disciplinary action is necessary.
Disciplinary action may consist of probation, suspension, or revocation
of the Utah Water Well License.
5.6 License Probation, Suspension or Revocation.
[5.8]5.6.1 [A well driller whose license has been
revoked or suspended, will be prohibited from engaging in the well drilling
business or operating well drilling equipment during the revocation or
suspension period set by the state engineer.]Probation will generally be
the disciplinary action imposed in situations where the facts established
through testimony and evidence describe first time infractions of the
administrative rules that are limited in number and less serious in their
impact on the well owner and on the health of the aquifer. The probation period will generally last
until the number of infraction points on the well driller's record is reduced
below 70 through any of the options described in Subsection 4-5.7.
[5.9]5.6.2 [After the suspension period has expired,
the well driller will be notified by the state engineer that he/she may again
engage in the well drilling business, however, there will be a probation period
lasting until the total number of points on the well driller's infraction
record is reduced through any of the options described in Subsection
R655-4-5(5.10).]Suspension will generally be the disciplinary action
imposed in situations where the facts established through testimony and
evidence describe repeated infractions of the administrative rules, or
infractions that a pose serious threat to the health of the aquifer, or a well
driller's apparent disregard for the administrative rules or the state's
efforts to regulate water well drilling.
Depending upon the number and severity of the rule infractions, the
state engineer may elect to suspend a well driller license for a certain period
of time and/or until certain conditions have been met by the well driller. In establishing the length of the suspension,
the state engineer will generally follow the guideline that three infraction
points is the equivalent of one day of suspension. A well driller whose license has been suspended will be
prohibited from engaging in the well drilling business or operating well
drilling equipment as a registered operator.
License suspension may also result in the exaction of the Well Driller
Bond as set forth in Subsection 4-3.6.4.
A well driller whose license has been suspended is allowed to work as a
helper under the direct, continuous, and on-site supervision of a licensed well
driller or registered operator. If the
suspension period extends beyond the expiration date of the water well license,
the water well driller may not apply to renew the license until the suspension
period has run and any conditions have been met. Once the suspension period has run and once any conditions have
been met by the well driller, the suspension will be lifted and the driller
will be notified that he/she may again engage in the well drilling
business. The well driller will then be
placed on probation until the number of infraction points on the well driller's
record is reduced below 70 through any of the options described in Subsection
4-5.7.
[5.10]5.6.3 Revocation will generally be the
disciplinary action imposed in situations where the facts established through
testimony and evidence describe infractions of the administrative rules for
which the well driller's Utah Water Well License has previously been
suspended. A well driller whose license
has been revoked will be prohibited from engaging in the well drilling business
or operating well drilling equipment as a registered operator. License suspension may also result in the
exaction of the Well Driller Bond as set forth in Subsection 4-3.6.4. A well driller whose license has been
revoked is allowed to work as a helper under the direct, continuous, and
on-site supervision of a licensed well driller or registered operator. A well driller whose water well license
has been revoked may not make application for a new water well license for a
period of two years from the date of revocation. After the revocation period has run[expired], a
well driller may make application for a new license as provided in Section
R655-4-3. However, the well drilling
experience required must be based on new experience obtained since the license
was revoked.
[5.11]5.7 Deleting Point from the Driller Record.
Points assessed against a well driller's record will remain on the record unless deleted through any of the following options:
[5.11.1]5.7.1 Points will be deleted three years after the
date when the infraction is noted by the state engineer and the points are
assessed against the driller's record.
[5.11.2]5.7.2 One half the points on the record will be
deleted if the well driller is free of infractions for an entire year.
[5.11.3]5.7.3 Thirty (30) points will be deleted for
obtaining six (6) hours of approved continuing education credits in addition to
the credits required to renew the water well driller's license. A driller may exercise this option only once
each year.
[5.11.4]5.7.4 Twenty (20) points will be deleted for
taking and passing (with a minimum score of 70%) the test covering the
administrative requirements and the minimum construction standards. A driller may exercise this option only
every other year.[
5.12 If the state
engineer determines, following an investigation and a hearing, that the
licensee has failed to comply with the Administrative Rules for Water Well
Drillers, the state engineer may exact the bond and deposit the money as a
non-lapsing dedicated credit.
5.13 The state
engineer may expend the funds derived from the bond to investigate or correct
any deficiencies which could adversely affect the public interest resulting
from non-compliance with the Administrative Rules by any well driller.
5.14 An
operator's registration may be revoked or suspended for failure to comply with
the minimum construction standards.]
[5.15]5.8 Lack of Knowledge Not an Excuse.
Lack of knowledge of the law or the administrative requirements and minimum construction standards related to well drilling shall not constitute an excuse for violation thereof.
[5.16]5.9 Misdemeanors.
Section 73-3-26 of the Utah Code annotated, 1953, [CLASSIFIES CERTAIN
ACTIONS AS CLASS B MISDEMEANORS]classifies certain actions as class B
Misdemeanors. Each day that a
violation continues is a separate offense.
(Reference: Statutes Appendix B.)
R655-4-6. Renewal of Well Driller's License[,] and
Operator's Registration[, and Apprenticeship Listing].
6.1 Well Driller's Licenses.
6.1.1 [All well driller's licenses expire at 12
midnight on December 31 of the year in which they are issued.]Water well
driller licenses shall expire and be renewed according to the following
provisions:
a. Between January 1, 2004 and June 30, 2006 water well driller licenses shall expire and be renewed according to the following schedule:
1. The licenses of water well drillers whose last name begins with A thru L shall not expire on December 31, 2004 but shall expire at 12 midnight on June 30, 2005. The continuation of the license will depend on documentation of a valid $5,000 well driller bond for the period thru June 30, 2005. Well drillers whose licenses expire on June 30, 2005 and who meet the application requirements of R655-4-6(6.1.2) including the documentation of nine (9) continuing education credits, shall receive a license that expires on June 30, 2007.
2. The licenses of water well drillers whose last name begins with M thru Z shall expire at midnight on December 30, 2004. Well drillers whose last name begins with M thru Z and who meet the application requirements of R655-4-6(6.1.2) shall receive a license that expires on June 30, 2006. The $5,000 well driller bond must be valid for the period January 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006. Well drillers whose licenses expire on June 30, 2006 and who meet the application requirements of R655-4-6(6.1.2) including the documentation of nine (9) continuing education credits, shall receive a renewed license for the a 2 year period.
b. After June 30, 2005, the licenses of well drillers whose last name begins with A thru L shall expire at 12 midnight on June 30 of odd numbered years.
c. After June 30, 2006, the licenses of well drillers whose last name begins with M thru Z shall expire at 12 midnight on June 30 of even numbered years.
d. Drillers who meet the renewal
requirements set forth in Subsection R655-4-6(6.1.2) on or before [12
midnight December 31]the expiration deadlines set forth in Subsection
R655-4-6(6.1.1) shall be authorized to operate as a licensed well driller
until the new license is issued.
e. Drillers must renew their
licenses within 24 months of the license expiration date. Drillers failing to
renew within 24 months of the license expiration date must re-apply for a well
driller's license, [and ]meet all the application requirements of
Subsection R655-4-3(3.2), and provide documentation of 12 hours of
continuing education according to the requirements of R655-4-6 (6.2) obtained
within the previous 24 months.
6.1.2 Applications to renew a well driller's license must include the following items:
a. Payment of the license renewal fee determined and approved by the legislature;
b. Written application to the state engineer;
c. [Documentation of $5,000 penal bond for
the next calendar year]Documentation of continuing well driller bond
coverage in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) penal bond for the
next licensing period calendar year.
The form and conditions of well driller bond shall be as set forth in
Section 4.3. Allowable documentation
can include bond continuation certificates and CD statements;
d. Proper submission of all start cards,
official well driller reports (well logs), and well[;] abandonment
reports for the current calendar year;
e. Documentation of compliance with the
continuing education requirements described in [6.1.4]Section 6.2.1. Acceptable documentation of attendance at
approved courses must include the following information: the name of the
course, the date it was conducted, the number of approved credits, the name and
signature of the instructor and the driller's name; for example, certificates
of completion, transcripts, attendance rosters, diplomas, etc. (Note: drillers are advised that the state
engineer will not keep track of the continuing education courses each driller
attends during the year. Drillers are
responsible to acquire and then submit documentation with the renewal
application.)
6.1.3 License renewal applications that do not
meet the requirements of Subsection R655-5-6(6.1.2) by [December 31]June
30 of the expiration year or which are received after [December 31]June
30 of the expiration year, will be assessed an additional administrative
late fee determined and approved by the legislature.
6.1.4 The state engineer may renew a license on a restricted, conditional, or limited basis according to the driller's performance and compliance with established rules and construction standards. The state engineer my refuse to renew a license to a well driller if it appears that there has been a violation of these rules or a failure to comply with Section 73-3-22 of the Utah Code.
6.2 Continuing Education.
[6.1.4]6.2.1 During each license period[calendar
year], licensed well drillers are required to earn at least twelve (12)[six
(6)] continuing education credits by attending training sessions sponsored
or sanctioned by the state engineer.
Drillers who do not renew their licenses, but who intend to renew within
the following 24 month period allowed in [Subsection R655-5-6(6.1.1)]Section
6.1.1, are also required to earn twelve (12)[six (6)]
continuing education credits[ each year].
[6.1.5]6.2.2 The state engineer shall establish a
committee consisting of the state engineer or a representative, no more than
four licensed well drillers, a ground water scientist, and a
manufacturer/supplier of well drilling products. The committee will develop criteria for the training courses,
approve the courses which can offer continuing education credits, and assign
the number of credits to each course.
The committee will make recommendations to the state engineer concerning
appeals from training course sponsors[,] and well drillers[,
and operators] related to earning continuing education credit.
[6.1.6]6.2.3 The committee established in [Subsection
R655-5-6(6.1.5)]Section 6.2.2 shall assign the number of continuing
education credits to each proposed training session based on the instructor's
qualifications, a written outline of the subjects to be covered, and written
objectives for the session. Well
drillers wishing continuing education credit for other training sessions shall
provide the committee with all information it needs to assign continuing
education requirements.
[6.1.7 The state engineer may renew a license on a
restricted, conditional, or limited basis according to the driller's
performance and compliance with established rules and construction standards.]6.2.4 Licensed drillers must complete a State
Engineer-sponsored "Administrative Rules for Well Drillers" review
course or other approved rules review once every four (4) years.
6.2.5 CE credits cannot be carried over from one licensing period to another.
[6.2]6.3 Drill Rig Operator's Registration.
[6.2.1]6.3.1 All operator's registrations shall expire
at [12 midnight on December 31 of the year in which they are issued]the
same time as the license of the well driller by whom they are employed. Operators who meet the renewal requirements
set forth in Subsection R655-4-6(6.[2]3.2) on or before 12
midnight [December 31]June 30 of the expiration year shall be
authorized to act as a registered operator until the new registration is
issued. Operators must renew their registrations within [12]24
months of the registration expiration date. Operators failing to renew within [12]24
months of the registration expiration date must re-apply for an operator's
registration and meet all the application requirements of Subsection
R655-4-3(3.3).
[6.2.2]6.3.2 Applications to renew an operator's
registration must include the following items:
a. Payment of the registration renewal fee determined and approved by the legislature;
b. Written application to the state engineer.
[6.2.3]6.3.3 Registration renewal applications that do
not meet the requirements of Subsection R655-4-6(6.[1]3.2) by
the June 30 expiration date or that are received after the [December 31]June
30 expiration date will be assessed an additional administrative late fee
determined and approved by the legislature.
[6.2.4]6.3.4 During each [calendar year]licensing
period, it is suggested that registered operators earn at least [three
(3)]six (6) continuing education credits by attending training
sessions sponsored or sanctioned by the state engineer. Documented continuing education credits may
be allowed as substitute for drilling experience in an application for a well
driller's license as described in Subsection R655-4-3(3.2.4).[
6.3
Apprenticeship Listing.
6.3.1 All
apprentice's listings expire at 12 midnight on December 31 of the year in which
they are issued.
6.3.2 A written
application must be submitted to the Division of Water Rights to renew an
apprenticeship listing.]
R655-4-7. The Approval Process for Cathodic Protection
Wells, Heating, or Cooling Exchange Wells[,] and Monitor Wells.
7.1 General.
Only cathodic protection wells, heating or cooling exchange wells, and monitor wells drilled and constructed to a depth of 30 feet or greater below natural ground surface require approval from the state engineer.
7.2 Approval to Construct or Replace.
Approval to construct or replace cathodic protection wells, heating or cooling exchange wells, and monitor wells is issued by the state engineer's regional offices following review of written requests from the owner or applicant, federal or state agency or engineering representative. The requests for approval shall be made on forms provided by the state engineer entitled "Request for Non-Production Well Construction". The following information must be included on the form:
a. General location or common description of the project.
b. Specific course and distance locations from
established government surveyed outside section corners or quarter corners[
or location by 1/4, 1/4 section].
c. Total anticipated number of wells to be installed.
d. Diameters, approximate depths and materials used in the wells.
e. Projected start and completion dates.
f. Name and license number of the driller contracted to install the wells.
There is no fee required to request approval to drill a cathodic protection well, a heating or cooling exchange well, or a monitor well. Upon written approval by the state engineer, the project will be assigned an approved authorization number which will be referenced on all start cards and official well driller's reports.
R655-4-8. General Requirements.
8.1 Standards.
8.1.1 In some locations, the compliance with the following minimum standards will not result in a well being free from pollution or from being a source of subsurface leakage, waste, or contamination of the groundwater resource. Since it is impractical to attempt to prepare standards for every conceivable situation, the well driller shall judge when to construct wells under more stringent standards when such precautions are necessary to protect the groundwater supply and those using the well in question. Other state and local regulations pertaining to well drilling and construction, groundwater protection, and water quality regulations may exist that are either more stringent than these rules or that specifically apply to a given situation. It is the well driller's responsibility to understand and apply other regulations as applicable.
8.2 Well Site Locations.
8.2.1 Well site locations are described by course and distance from outside section corners or quarter corners (based on a Section/Township/Range Cadastral System) on all state engineer authorizations to drill (Start Cards). However, the licensee should also be familiar with local zoning ordinances, or county boards of health requirements which may limit or restrict the actual well location and construction in relationship to existing or proposed concentrated sources of pollution or contamination such as septic tanks, drain fields, sewer lines, stock corrals, feed lots, etc. The licensee should also be familiar with the Utah Underground Facilities Act (Title 54, Chapter 8a of the Utah Code Annotated 1953 as amended) which requires subsurface excavators (including well drilling) to notify operators of underground utilities prior to any subsurface excavation. Information on this requirement can be found by calling (800)662-4111.
8.2.2 The driller shall check the drilling location to see if it generally matches the state-approved location listed on the Driller's Start Card. If the actual drilling location is significantly different than the Start Card location, the driller shall indicate the difference on the Well Log.
8.3 Unusual Conditions.
8.3.1 If unusual conditions occur at a well site and compliance with these rules and standards will not result in a satisfactory well or protection to the groundwater supply, a licensed water well driller shall request that special standards be prescribed for a particular well. The request for special standards shall be in writing and shall set forth the location of the well, the name of the owner, the unusual conditions existing at the well site, the reasons that compliance with the rules and minimum standards will not result in a satisfactory well, and the proposed standards that the licensed water well driller believes will be more adequate for this particular well. If the state engineer finds that the proposed changes are in the best interest of the public, he will approve the proposed changes by assigning special standards for the particular well under consideration.
R655-4-9. Well Drilling and Construction Requirements.
9.0 General.
9.0.1 Figures 1 through [6]5 are
used to illustrate typical well construction standards, and can be viewed in
the most current publication, State of Utah Water Well Handbook,[publication,
State of Utah Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers, dated January 1,
2001,] available at the Division of
Water Rights, 1594 West North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah. Figure 1 illustrates the typical construction
of a drilled well with driven casing such as a well drilled using the cable
tool method or air rotary with a drill[]-through casing
driver. Figure 2 illustrates the
typical construction of a well drilled with an oversized borehole and/or gravel
packed without the use of surface casing.
Figure 3 illustrates the typical construction of a well drilled with an
oversized borehole and/or gravel packed with the use of surface casing. Figure 4 illustrates the typical
construction of a well drilled with an oversized borehole and/or gravel packed
completed in stratified formations in which poor formation material or poor
quality water is encountered. Figure 5
illustrates the typical construction of a well completed with PVC or
nonmetallic casing.
9.1 Approved Products, Materials, and Procedures.
9.1.1 Any product, material or procedure designed for use in the drilling, construction, cleaning, renovation, development or abandonment of water or monitor wells, which has received certification and approval for its intended use by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) under ANSI/NSF Standard 60 or 61, the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), the American Water Works Association (AWWA) or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) may be utilized. Other products, materials or procedures may also be utilized for their intended purpose upon manufacturers certification that they meet or exceed the standards or certifications referred to in this section.
9.2 Well Casing[.] - General
9.2.1 Drillers Responsibility. It shall be the sole responsibility of the well driller to determine the suitability of any type of well casing for the particular well being constructed, in accordance with these minimum requirements.
9.2.2 Casing Stick-up. The well casing shall extend a minimum of 18 inches above finished ground level and the natural ground surface should slope away from the casing. A sanitary, weatherproof seal or a completely welded cap shall be placed on the top of the well casing to prevent contamination of the well. If a vent is placed in the cap, it shall be properly screened to prevent access to the well by debris, insects, or other animals.
9.2.3 Steel Casing. All steel casing installed in Utah shall be in new or like-new condition,
being free from pits or breaks, and shall meet the minimum specifications
listed in Table 2 of these rules. In
order to utilize steel well casing that does not fall within the categories
specified in Table 2, the driller shall receive written approval from the state
engineer. All steel casing installed in
Utah shall meet or exceed the minimum ASTM, ANSI, or AWWA standards for steel
pipe as described in Subsection [R655-4-9(9.1.1)]9.1. Applicable standards (most recent revisions)
may include:
ANSI/AWWA A100-AWWA Standard for Water Wells.
ANSI/ASTM A53-Standard Specifications for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated, Welded and Seamless.
ANSI/ASTM A139-Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded Steel Pipe (NPS 4 and over).
ANSI/ASTM A606-Standard Specification for Steel, Sheet, and Strip, High-Strength, Low-Alloy, Hot-Rolled and Cold-Rolled, with Improved Atmospheric Corrosion Resistance.
ANSI/AWWA C200-Standard for Steel Water Pipe-6 in. and Larger.
API Spec.5L-Specification for Liner Pipe.
ASTM A778-Standard Specifications for Welded, Unannealed Austenitic Stainless Steel Tubular Products.
ASTM A252-Standard Specification for Welded and Seamless Steel Pipe Piles.
TABLE 2
MINIMUM WALL THICKNESS FOR STEEL WELL CASING
Depth
0 200 300 400 600 800 1000 1500
Nominal to to to to to to to to
Casing 200 300 400 600 800 1000 1500 2000
Diameter (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft) (ft)
2 .154 .154 .154 .154 .154 .154
3 .216 .216 .216 .216 .216 .216
4 .237 .237 .237 .237 .237 .237 .237 .237
5 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250
6 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250
8 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250
10 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2
12 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2
14 .250 .250 .250 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2
16 .250 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .375 .375
18 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .375 .375 .375 .438
20 .250 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .375 .375 .375 .438
22 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .375 .375 .375 .375 .438
24 .31[3]2 .31[3]2 .375 .375 .375 .438
30 .31[3]2 .375 .375 .438 .438 .500
Note: Minimum wall thickness is in inches.
9.2.4 Plastic and Other Non-metallic Casing.
9.2.4.1 Materials. PVC, SR, ABS, or other types of non-metallic well casing and screen may be installed in Utah upon obtaining permission of the well owner. Plastic well casing and screen shall be manufactured and installed to conform with The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard F 480 (most recent version), which are incorporated by reference to these rules. Casing and screen meeting this standard is normally marked "WELL CASING" and with the ANSI/ASTM designation "F 480-95 (or most recent version), SDR-17 (or 13.5)". All plastic casing and screen for use in potable water supplies shall be manufactured to be acceptable to the American National Standards Institute/National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standard 61. Other types of plastic casings and screens may be installed upon manufacturers certification that such casing meets or exceeds the above described ASTM/SDR specification or ANSI/NSF approval.
9.2.4.2 Minimum Wall Thickness and Depth
Requirements. PVC well casing and
screen with an outside diameter equal to or less than four and one half
(4.5) inches shall meet the minimum wall thickness required under ASTM Standard
F480 (most recent version) SDR 21 or a Schedule 40 designation. PVC well casing and screen with an outside
diameter greater than [of ]four and one half (4.5) inches [or
greater ]shall meet the minimum wall thickness required under ASTM Standard
F480 (most recent version) SDR 17 or a Schedule 80 designation. Additionally, caution should be used
whenever other than factory slots or perforations are added to PVC well casing. The installation of hand cut slots or
perforations significantly reduces the collapse strength tolerances of
unaltered casings. The depth at which
plastic casing and screen is placed in a well shall conform to the minimum
requirements and restrictions as outlined in ASTM Standard F-480 (most recent
version).
9.2.4.3 Fiberglass Casing. Fiberglass reinforced plastic well casings and screens may be installed in wells upon obtaining permission of the well owner. All fiberglass casing or screens installed in wells for use in potable water supplies shall be manufactured to be acceptable by ANSI/NSF Standard 61.
9.2.4.4 Driving Non-metallic Casing. Non-metallic casing shall not be driven or dropped and may only be installed in an oversized borehole.
9.2.4.5 Protective Casing. If plastic or other non-metallic casing is utilized, the driller
shall install a protective steel casing which complies with the provisions of
Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.2.3[)] or an equivalent protective
covering approved by the state engineer over and around the well casing at
ground surface to a depth of at least two and one half (2.5) feet. If a pitless adapter is installed on the
well, the bottom of the [steel ]protective [casing]cover
shall be placed above the pitless adapter/well connection. If the pitless adapter is placed in the
protective casing, the protective casing shall extend below the pitless
entrance in the well casing and be sealed both on the outside of the protective
casing and between the protective casing and well casing. The [steel casing]protective
cover shall be sealed in the borehole in accordance with the requirements
of Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)].
The annular space between the [steel ]protective [casing]cover
and non-metallic casing shall also be sealed with acceptable materials in
accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)]. A sanitary, weather-tight seal or a
completely welded cap shall be placed on top of the protective [casing]cover,
thus enclosing the well itself. If
the sanitary seal is vented, screens shall be placed in the vent to prevent debris
insects, and other animals from entering the well. This protective casing requirement does not
apply to monitor wells. Figure 5
depicts this requirement.
9.3 Casing Joints.
9.3.1 General. All well casing joints shall be made water tight. In instances in which a reduction in casing diameter is made, there shall be enough overlap of the casings to prevent misalignment and to insure the making of an adequate seal in the annular space between casings to prevent the movement of unstable sediment or formation material into the well, in addition to preventing the degradation of the water supply by the migration of inferior quality water through the annular space between the two casings.
9.3.2 Steel Casing. All steel casing shall be screw-coupled or welded. If the joints are welded, the weld shall be at least as thick as the wall thickness of the casing and shall consist of at least two beads for the full circumference of the joint. Spot welding of joints is prohibited.
9.3.3 Plastic Casing. All plastic well casing shall be mechanically screw coupled, chemically welded, cam-locked or lug coupled to provide water tight joints as per ANSI/ASTM F480 (most recent version). Metal screws driven into casing joints shall not be long enough to penetrate the inside surface of the casing. Metal screws should be used only when surrounding air temperatures are below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (F) which retards the normal setting of the cement.
9.4 Surface Seals and Interval Seals.
9.4.1 General. Before the drill rig is removed from the drill site of a well, a surface seal shall be installed. Well casings shall be sealed to prevent the possible downward movement of contaminated surface waters in the annular space around the well casing. The seal shall also prevent the upward movement of artesian waters within the annular space around the well casing. The sealing is also to prevent the movement of groundwater either upward or downward from zones that have been cased out of the well due to poor water quality or other reasons. The following surface seal requirements apply equally to rotary drilled, cable tool drilled, bored, jetted, augered, and driven wells unless otherwise specified.
9.4.2 Seal Material.
9.4.2.1 General.
The seal material shall consist of neat cement grout, sand cement grout,
unhydrated bentonite, or bentonite grout as defined in Section R655-4-2. Use of sealing materials other than those
listed above must be approved by the state engineer. Bentonite drilling fluid
(mud), dry drilling bentonite, or drill cuttings are not an acceptable
bentonite grout or sealing material. In
no case shall drilling fluid (mud), drill cuttings, drill chips, or puddling
clay be used, or allowed to fill, partially fill, or fall into the required
sealing interval of a well during construction of the well. All hydrated sealing materials shall be
placed by tremie pipe, pumping, or pressure from the bottom of the seal interval
upwards in one continuous operation when placed below a depth of 30 feet or
when placed below static groundwater level.
Portland Cement grouts must be allowed to cure a minimum of 72 hours for
Type I-II cement or 36 hours for Type III cement before well drilling,
construction, or testing may be resumed.
The volume of annular space in the seal interval shall be calculated by
the driller to determine the estimated volume of seal material required to seal
the annular space.[ The driller
shall place at least the volume of material equal to the volume of annular
space.] The driller shall place at
least the volume of material equal to the volume of annular space, thus
ensuring that a continuous seal is placed.
The driller shall maintain the well casing centered in the borehole
during seal placement using centralizers or other means to ensure that the seal
is placed radially and vertically continuous.
9.4.2.2 Bentonite Grout. Bentonite used to prepare grout for sealing shall have the ability to gel; not separate into water and solid materials after it gels; have a hydraulic conductivity or permeability value of 10-7 centimeters per second or less; contain at least 20 percent solids by weight of bentonite, and have a fluid weight of 9.5 pounds per gallon or greater and be specifically designed for the purpose of sealing. Bentonite or polymer drilling fluid (mud) does not meet the definition of a grout with respect to density, gel strength, and solids content and shall not be used for sealing purposes. At no time shall bentonite grout contain materials that are toxic, polluting, develop odor or color changes, or serve as a micro-bacterial nutrient. All bentonite grout shall be prepared and installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. All additives must be certified by a recognized certification authority such as NSF.
9.4.2.3 Unhydrated Bentonite. Unhydrated bentonite (e.g., granular,
tabular, pelletized,[,] or chip bentonite) may be used in the
construction of well seals above a depth of 50 feet. Unhydrated bentonite can be placed below a depth of 50 feet when
placed inside the annulus of two casings or when placed using a tremie
pipe. The bentonite material shall be
specifically designed for well sealing and be within industry tolerances. All unhydrated bentonite used for sealing
must be free of organic polymers and other contamination. Placement of bentonite shall conform to the
manufacturer's specifications and instructions and result in a seal free of
voids or bridges. Granular or powered
bentonite shall not be placed under water by gravity feeding from the
surface. When placing unhydrated
bentonite, a sounding or tamping tool shall be run in the sealing interval
during pouring to measure fill-up rate, verify a continuous seal placement, and
to break up possible bridges or cake formation.
9.4.3 Seal and Unperforated Casing Placement.
9.4.3.1 General Seal Requirements. Figure 1 illustrates the construction of a
surface seal for a typical well. The
surface seal must be placed in an annular space that has a minimum diameter of
four (4) inches larger than the nominal size of the permanent well casing (This
amounts to a 2-inch annulus). The
surface seal must extend from land surface to a minimum depth of 30 feet. The completed surface seal must fully
surround the permanent well casing, must be evenly distributed, free of voids,
and extend to undisturbed or recompacted soil.
[A surface casing with a minimum depth of 30 feet and a minimum
nominal diameter of four (4) inches greater than the permanent casing may be
used in unconsolidated formations such as gravels, sands, or other unstable
conditions when the use of drilling fluid or other means of keeping the
borehole open are not employed.]In unconsolidated formations such as
gravels, sands, or other unstable conditions when the use of drilling fluid or
other means of keeping the borehole open are not employed, either a temporary
surface casing with a minimum depth of 30 feet and a minimum nominal diameter
of four (4) inches greater than the outermost permanent casing shall be
utilized to ensure proper seal placement or the well driller shall notify the
state engineer's office that the seal will be placed in a potentially unstable
open borehole without a temporary surface casing by telephone or FAX in
conjunction with the start card submittal in order to provide an opportunity
for the state engineer's office to inspect the placement of the seal. If a temporary surface casing is utilized, [T]the
surface casing shall be removed in conjunction with the placement of the
seal. Alternatively, the surface casing
may be sealed permanently in place to a depth of 30 feet with a minimum 2-inch
annular seal between the surface casing and borehole wall. If the surface casing is to be removed, the
surface casing shall be withdrawn as sealing material is placed between the
permanent well casing and borehole wall.
The sealing material shall be kept at a sufficient height above the
bottom of the temporary surface casing as it is withdrawn to prevent caving of
the borehole wall. If the temporary
conductor casing is driven in place without a 2-inch annular seal between the
surface casing and borehole wall, the surface casing may be left in place in
the borehole only if it is impossible to remove because of unforeseen
conditions and not because of inadequate drilling equipment, or if the removal
will seriously jeopardize the integrity of the well and the integrity of
subsurface barriers to pollutants or contaminant movement. The temporary surface casing can only be
left in place without a sufficient 2-inch annular seal as describe above with
the approval of the state engineer on a case by case basis. If the surface casing is left in place, it
shall be perforated to allow seal material to penetrate through the casing and
into the formation and annular space between the surface casing and borehole
wall. Unhydrated bentonite shall not be
used to construct the surface seal when the surface casing is left in
place. Grout seal materials must be
used to construct the surface seal when the surface casing is left in
place. The grout must be placed with
sufficient pressure to force the grout through the surface casing perforations
and into the annular space between the surface casing and borehole wall and
into the formation. Surface seals and
unperforated casing shall be installed in wells located in unconsolidated
formation such as sand and gravel with minor clay or confining units;
unconsolidated formation consisting of stratified layers of materials such as
sand, gravel, and clay or other confining units; and consolidated formations
according to the following procedures.
9.4.3.2 Unconsolidated Formation without Significant
Confining Units. This includes wells
that penetrate an aquifer overlain by unconsolidated formations such as sand
and gravel without significant clay beds (at least six feet thick) or other
confining formations. The surface seal
must be placed in a 2-inch annular space to a minimum depth of 30
feet. Permanent unperforated casing
shall extend at least to a depth of 30 feet and also extend below the lowest
anticipated pumping level. Additional
casing placed in the open borehole below the required depths noted above shall
meet the casing requirements of Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.2[)]
unless the casing is installed as a liner inside a larger diameter approved
casing.
9.4.3.3 Unconsolidated Formation with Significant
Confining Units. This includes wells
that penetrate an aquifer overlain by clay or other confining formations that
are at least six (6) feet thick. The
surface seal must be placed in a 2-inch annular space to a minimum depth of 30
feet and at least five (5) feet into the confining unit above the water bearing
formation. Unperforated casing shall
extend from ground surface to at least 30 feet and to the bottom of the confining
unit overlying the water bearing formation.
If necessary to complete the well, a smaller diameter casing, liner, or
well screen may be installed below the unperforated casing. The annular space between the two casings
shall be sealed with grout, bentonite, or a mechanical packer. Additional casing placed in the open
borehole below the required depths noted above shall meet the casing
requirements of Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.2[)] unless the casing is
installed as a liner inside a larger diameter approved casing.
9.4.3.4 Consolidated Formation. This includes drilled wells that penetrate
an aquifer, either within or overlain by a consolidated formation. The surface seal must be placed in a 2-inch
annular space to a minimum depth of 30 feet and at least five (5) feet into
competent consolidated formation.
Unperforated permanent casing shall be installed to extend to a depth of
at least 30 feet and the lower part of the casing shall be driven and sealed at
least five (5) feet into the consolidated formation. If necessary to complete the well, a smaller diameter casing,
liner, or well screen may be installed below the unperforated casing. The annular space between the two casings
shall be sealed with grout, bentonite, or a mechanical packer. Additional casing placed in the open
borehole below the required depths noted above shall meet the casing
requirements of Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.2[)] unless the casing is
installed as a liner inside a larger diameter approved casing.
9.4.3.5 Sealing Artesian Wells. Unperforated well casing shall extend into
the confining stratum overlying the artesian zone, and shall be adequately
sealed into the confining stratum to prevent both surface and subsurface
leakage from the artesian zone. If
leaks occur around the well casing or adjacent to the well, the well shall be
completed with the seals, packers, or casing necessary to eliminate the
leakage. The driller shall not move the
drilling rig from the well site until leakage is completely stopped, unless
authority for temporary removal of the drilling rig is granted by the state
engineer, or when loss of life or property is imminent. If the well flows [from the well]naturally
at land surface due to artesian pressure, the well shall be equipped
with a control valve so that the flow can be completely stopped. The control valve must be available for
inspection by the state engineer at all times.
9.4.4 Interval Seals. Formations containing undesirable materials (e.g., fine sand and silt that can damage pumping equipment and result in turbid water), contaminated groundwater, or poor quality groundwater must be sealed off so that the unfavorable formation cannot contribute to the performance and quality of the well. These zones must also be sealed to eliminate the potential of cross contamination or commingling between two aquifers of differing quality. Figure 4 illustrates this situation.
9.4.5 Other Sealing Methods. In wells where the above[]-described methods of well sealing do not apply, special sealing procedures can be approved by the state engineer upon written request by the licensed well driller.
9.5 Special Requirements for Oversized and Gravel Packed Wells. This section applies to wells in which casing is installed in an open borehole without driving or drilling in the casing and an annual space is left between the borehole wall and well casing (e.g., mud rotary wells, flooded reverse circulation wells, air rotary wells in open bedrock).
9.5.1 Oversized Borehole. The diameter of the borehole shall be at
least four (4) inches larger than the outside diameter of the well casing to be
installed to allow for proper placement of the gravel pack and/or formation
stabilizer and adequate clearance for grouting and surface seal installations. In order to accept a smaller diameter casing
in any oversized borehole penetrating unconsolidated or stratified formations,
the annular space must be sealed in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)]. In order to minimize the risk of: 1)
borehole caving or collapse; 2) casing failure or collapse; or 3) axial
distortion of the casing, it is recommended that the entire annular space in an
oversized borehole between the casing and borehole wall be filled with
formation stabilizer such as approved seal material, gravel pack, filter
material or other state engineer-approved materials. Well casing placed in an oversized borehole should be suspended
at the ground surface until all formation stabilizer material is placed in
order to reduce axial distortion of the casing if it is allowed to rest on the
bottom of an open oversized borehole.
In order to accept a smaller diameter casing, the annular space in an
oversized borehole penetrating unconsolidated formations (with no confining layer)
must be sealed in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)] to
a depth of at least 30 feet or from static water level to ground surface,
whichever is deeper. The annular space
in an oversized borehole penetrating stratified or consolidated formations must
be sealed in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)] to a
depth of at least 30 feet or five (5) feet into an impervious strata (e.g.,
clay) or competent consolidated formation overlying the water producing zones
back to ground surface, whichever is deeper.
Especially in the case of an oversized borehole, the requirements of
Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4.4[)] regarding interval sealing must be
followed.
9.5.2 Gravel Pack or Filter Material. The gravel pack or filter material shall consist of clean, well[]-rounded, chemically stable grains that are smooth and uniform. The filter material should not contain more than 2% by weight of thin, flat, or elongated pieces and should not contain organic impurities or contaminants of any kind. In order to assure that no contamination is introduced into the well via the gravel pack, the gravel pack must be washed with a minimum 100 ppm solution of chlorinated water or dry hypochlorite mixed with the gravel pack at the surface before it is introduced into the well (see Table 3 of these rules for required amount of chlorine material).
9.5.3 Placement of Filter Material. All filter material shall be placed using a method that through common usage has been shown to minimize a) bridging of the material between the borehole and the casing, and b) excessive segregation of the material after it has been introduced into the annulus and before it settles into place. It is not acceptable to place filter material by pouring from the ground surface unless proper sounding devices are utilized to measure dynamic filter depth, evaluate pour rate, and minimize bridging and formation of voids.
9.5.4 No Surface Casing Used. If no permanent surface casing is installed,
neat cement grout, sand cement grout, bentonite grout, or unhydrated bentonite seal
shall be installed in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)]. Figure 2 of these rules illustrates the
construction of a typical well of this type.
9.5.5 Surface Casing Used. If permanent surface casing is installed, it
shall be unperforated and installed and sealed in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)]
as depicted in Figure 3 of these rules.
After the gravel pack has been installed between the surface casing and
the well casing, the annular space between the two casings shall be sealed by
either welding a water-tight steel cap between the two casings at land surface
or filling the annular space between the two casings with neat cement grout,
sand cement grout, bentonite grout, or unhydrated bentonite from at least 50
feet to the surface and in accordance with Subsection [R655-4-9(]9.4[)]. If a hole will be created in the surface
casing in order to install a pitless adapter into the well casing, the annual
space between the surface casing and well casing shall be sealed with neat cement
grout, sand cement grout, bentonite grout, or unhydrated bentonite and a
waterproof cap sealing the two casings at the surface by itself is
unacceptable. Moreover in this case,
the annular space between the surface casing and well casing must be at least 2
inches in order to facilitate seal placement.
9.5.6 Gravel Feed Pipe. If a gravel feed pipe, used to add gravel to the gravel pack after well completion, is installed, the diameter of the borehole in the sealing interval must be at least four (4) inches in diameter greater than the permanent casing plus the diameter of the gravel feed pipe. The gravel feed pipe must be completely surrounded by the seal. The gravel feed pipe must extend at least 18 inches above ground and must be sealed at the top with a water[]tight cap or plug (see Figure 2).
9.6 Protection of the Aquifer.
9.6.1 Drilling Fluids and LCMs. The well driller shall take due care to
protect the producing aquifer from clogging or contamination. Organic substances shall not be introduced
into the well or borehole during drilling or construction. Every effort shall be made to remove all
substances and materials introduced into the aquifer or aquifers during well
construction. "Substances and
materials" shall mean all drilling fluids, filter cake, and any other [organic
or ]inorganic substances added to the drilling fluid that may seal or clog
the aquifer. The introduction of lost
circulation materials (LCM's) during the drilling process shall be limited to
those products which will not present a potential medium for bacterial growth
or contamination. Only LCM's which are
non-organic[ and biodegradable], such as "rock wool"
consisting of spun calcium carbonate, which can be safely broken down and
removed from the borehole, may be utilized.
This is especially important in the construction of wells designed to be
used as a public water system supply.
9.6.2 Containment of Drilling Fluid. Drilling or circulating fluid introduced into the drilling process shall be contained in a manner to prevent surface or subsurface contamination and to prevent degradation of natural or man-made water courses or impoundments. Rules regarding the discharges to waters of the state are promulgated under R317-8-2 of the Utah Administrative Code and regulated by the Utah Division of Water Quality (Tel. 801-536-6146). Pollution of waters of the state is a violation of the Utah Water Quality Act, Utah Code Annotated Title 19, Chapter 5.
9.6.3 Mineralized, Contaminated or Polluted Water. Whenever a water bearing stratum that contains nonpotable mineralized, contaminated or polluted water is encountered, the stratum shall be adequately sealed off so that contamination or co-mingling of the overlying or underlying groundwater zones will not occur (see Figure 4).
9.6.4 Drilling Equipment. All tools, drilling equipment, and materials used to drill a well shall be free of contaminants prior to beginning well construction. Contaminants include lubricants, fuel, bacteria, etc. that will reduce the well efficiency, and any other item(s) that will be harmful to public health and/or the resource or reduce the life of the water well. It is recommended that excess lubricants placed on drilling equipment be wiped clean prior to insertion into the borehole.
9.6.5 Well Disinfection and Chlorination of Water. No contaminated or untreated water shall be placed in a well during construction. Water should be obtained from a chlorinated municipal system. Where this is not possible, the water must be treated to give 100 parts per million free chlorine residual. Upon completion of a well or work on a well, the driller shall disinfect the well using accepted disinfection procedures to give 100 parts per million free chlorine residual in the well water. Table 3 provides the amount of common laundry bleach or dry powder hypochlorite required per 100 gallons of water or 100 feet linear casing volume of water to mix a 100 parts per million solution. Additional recommendations and guidelines for water well system disinfection are available from the state engineer upon request.
TABLE 3
AMOUNT OF HYPOCHLORITE FOR EACH 100 FEET OF WATER
STANDING IN WELL (100 ppm solution)
Well 5.25% 25% 70%
Diameter Solution Powder Powder
(inches) (cups) (ounces) (ounces)
2 0.50 1.00 0.50
4 2.25 3.50 1.50
6 5.00 8.00 3.00
8 8.50 14.50 5.50
10 13.00 22.50 8.50
12 19.00 32.50 12.00
14 26.00 44.50 16.50
16 34.00 58.00 26.00
20 53.00 90.50 33.00
For every 100
gal. of water
add: 3.50 5.50 2.00
NOTES: *Common Laundry Bleach
**High Test Hypochlorite
9.7[.] Special Requirements.
9.7.1[.] Explosives.
Explosives used in well construction shall not be detonated within the
section of casing designed or expected to serve as the surface seal of the
completed well, whether or not the surface seal has been placed. If explosives are used in the construction
of a well, their use shall be reported on the official well log. In no case shall explosives, other than
explosive shot perforators specifically designed to perforate steel casing, be
detonated inside the well casing or liner pipe.
9.7.2 Access Port. Every well shall be equipped with a usable access port so that the position of the water level, or pressure head, in the well can be measured at all times.
9.7.3 Completion or Abandonment. A licensed driller shall not remove his
drill rig from a well site unless the well is completed or abandoned. Completion of a well shall include all
surface seals, gravel packs or curbs required.
Dry boreholes, or otherwise unsuccessful attempts at completing a well,
shall be properly abandoned in accordance with Section R655-4-12. Upon completion, all wells shall be equipped
with a water[-]tight, tamper-resistant casing cap or sanitary seal.
9.7.4 Surface Security. If it becomes necessary for the driller to temporarily discontinue the drilling operation before completion of the well or otherwise leave the well or borehole unattended, the well and/or borehole must be covered securely to prevent contaminants from entering the casing or borehole and rendered secure against entry by children, vandals, domestic animals, and wildlife.
9.7.5 Pitless Adapters. Pitless adapters or units are acceptable to use with steel well casing as long as they are installed in accordance with manufacturers recommendations and specifications. The pitless adaptor, including the cap or cover, casing extension, and other attachments, must be so designed and constructed to be water tight and to prevent contamination of the potable water supply from external sources. Pitless adapters or units are not recommended to be mounted on PVC well casing. If a pitless adapter is to be used with PVC casing, it should be designed for use with PVC casing, and the driller should ensure that the weight of the pump and column do not exceed the strength of the PVC well casing.
9.7.6 Hydraulic Fracturing. The hydraulic fracturing pressure shall be transmitted through a drill string and shall not be transmitted to the well casing. Hydraulic fracturing intervals shall be at least 20 feet below the bottom of the permanent casing of a well. All hydraulic fracturing equipment shall be thoroughly disinfected with a 100 part per million chlorine solution prior to insertion into the well. The driller shall include the appropriate hydraulic fracturing information on the well log including methods, materials, maximum pressures, location of packers, and initial/final yields.
9.7.7 Static Water Level, Well Development, and
Well Yield. To fulfill the requirements
of Subsection R655-4-4[(4].5.2[)], new wells designed to produce
water shall be developed to remove drill cuttings, drilling mud, or other
materials introduced into the well during construction and to restore the
natural groundwater flow to the well to the extent possible. After a water production well is developed,
a test should be performed to determine the rate at which groundwater can be
reliably produced from the well.
Following development and testing, the static water level in the well
should also be measured. Static water
level, well development information, and well yield information shall be noted
on the official submittal of the Well Log by the well driller.
R655-4-10. Special Wells.
10.1 Construction Standards for Special Wells.
10.1.1 General. The construction standards outlined in Section R655-4-9 are meant to serve as minimum acceptable construction standards. Certain types of wells such as cathodic protection wells, heating or cooling exchange wells, recharge and recovery wells, and public supply wells require special construction standards that are addressed in this section or in rules promulgated by other regulating agencies. At a minimum, when constructing special wells as listed above, the well shall be constructed by a licensed well driller, and the minimum construction standards of Section R655-4-9 shall be followed in addition to the following special standards.
10.1.2 Public Water Supply Wells. Public water supply wells are subject to the
minimum construction standards outlined in Section R655-4-[4]9 in
addition to the requirements established by the Department of Environmental
Quality, Division of Drinking Water under Rules R309-204 and R309-[600]113. Plans and specifications for a public supply
well must be reviewed and approved by the Division of Drinking Water before the
well is drilled. These plans and
specifications shall include the procedures, practices, and materials used to
drill, construct, seal, develop, clean, disinfect, and test the public supply
well. A Preliminary Evaluation Report
describing the potential vulnerability and protection strategies of the new
well to contamination must also be submitted and approved prior to
drilling. A representative of the
Division of Drinking Water must be present at the time the surface grout seal
is placed in all public supply wells, so that the placement of the seal can be
certified. In order to assure that a
representative will be available, and to avoid down-time waiting for a
representative, notice should be given several days in advance of the projected
surface grout seal placement. When the
time and date for the surface grout seal installation are confirmed a definite
appointment should be made with the representative of the Division of Drinking
Water to witness the grout seal placement by calling (801) 536-4200. The licensed driller shall have available a
copy of the start card relating to the well and provide that information to the
inspecting representative at the time of the surface grout seal installation
and inspection.
10.1.3 Cathodic Protection Well Construction. Cathodic protection wells shall be
constructed in accordance with the casing, joint, surface seal, and other
applicable requirements outlined in Section R655-4-9. Any annular space existing between the base of the annular
surface seal and the top of the anode and conductive fill interval shall be
filled with appropriate fill or sealing material. Fill material shall consist of washed granular material such as
sand, pea gravel, or sealing material.
Fill material shall not be subject to decomposition or consolidation and
shall be free of pollutants and contaminants.
Fill material shall not be toxic or contain drill cuttings or drilling
mud. Additional sealing material shall
be placed below the minimum depth of the annular surface seal, as needed, to
prevent the cross-connection and commingling of separate aquifers and water
bearing zones. Vent pipes, anode access
tubing, and any other tubular materials (i.e., the outermost casing) that pass
through the interval to be filled and sealed are considered casing for the
purposes of these standards and shall meet the requirements of Subsections
R655-4-[9(]9.2[)] and [R655-4-9(9.3)]9.3. Cathodic protection well casing shall be at
least 2 inches in internal diameter to facilitate eventual well
abandonment. Figure 6 illustrates the
construction of a typical cathodic protection well.
10.1.4 Heating or Cooling Exchange Wells. Wells or boreholes utilized for heat
exchange or thermal heating, which are 30 feet or greater in depth and
encounter formations containing groundwater, must be drilled by a licensed
driller and the owner or applicant must have an approved application for that
specific purpose as outlined in Section R655-4-7. Wells or boreholes installed for heat or thermal exchange process
must comply with the minimum construction standards of [Rule]Section
R655-4-9. If a separate well or
borehole is required for re-injection purposes, it must also comply with these
standards and the groundwater must be injected into the same water bearing
zones as from which it is initially withdrawn, and a non-consumptive use
water right is required. The
quality and quantity of groundwater shall not be diminished or degraded upon
re-injection. The rules herein
pertain only to the heating and cooling exchange well constructed to a depth
greater than 30 feet and are not intended to regulate the incidental work that
may occur up to the well such as plumbing, electrical, piping, trenching, and
backfilling activities.
10.1.5 Recharge and Recovery Wells. Any well drilled under the provisions of Title 73, Chapter 3b (Groundwater Recharge and Recovery Act) shall be constructed in a manner consistent with these rules and shall be drilled by a currently licensed driller. Special rules regarding the injection of water into the ground are also promulgated under the jurisdiction of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality (Rule R317-7 "Underground Injection Control Program" of the Utah Administrative Code) and must be followed in conjunction with the Water Well Drilling rules.
KEY: water rights, licensing, well drilling
[January
1, 2001]2004
Notice of Continuation September 12, 2000
73-3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Gail Nelson at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7370, by FAX at 801-538-7442, or by Internet E-mail at gailnelson@utah.gov
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