Proper Well Sealing– How are wells sealed?
State law requires that well sealing be done by a licensed
well contractor. A licensed well contractor has the necessary equipment and knowledge to seal wells properly. The
contractor also has the ability to handle all necessary paperwork. For a list of contractors, please contact Rice
County Environmental Services, or Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Protecting Groundwater is
Everybody’s Business.
SEALING UNUSED
WELLS
Before sealing the well, the contractor removes any
pumping equipment that may be in place and remove any
debris or obstructions from inside the well. The well is
then sealed with a special grout mixture.
When the job is done, the contractor submits a well and
boring sealing record to the MDH. The licensed contractor
will also give a copy of the information to the homeowner.
Further information on groundwater and
wells may be found at –
www.co.rice.mn.us/planning
Or by contacting –
Rice County Environmental Services
320 NW 3rd Street
What are the law requirements for unused
wells?
A well must be sealed if it is: Not In Use, Contaminated,
Improperly Sealed, Threatens Groundwater, and/or
Threatens Health or Safety.
Exceptions are if the well is under a maintenance permit,
has been sealed by a licensed contractor, and of course if
it is in use. “In use,” refers to providing water, used for
gardening, or yard care.
Faribault, MN 55021
507-332-6113
rcplanningzoning@co.rice.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
625 North Robert Street
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0975
651-201-4600
Rice County
Well Sealing
Cost–Share Program
What is an abandoned/unused well &
why is it a problem?
Wells must be properly filled when they are removed from service. There are multiple reasons
why wells are removed from service, including
destruction of the building being served, failure
of the well to produce safe water, and extension
of community water into an area formerly served
by individual private wells.
An abandoned/unused well is defined as a well
that is buried, forgotten, or not used. Unused
wells that have not been properly sealed can be
a source of groundwater contamination potentially affecting nearby water wells and possible
city wells. Ground water is the main source of
drinking water for 3/4 Minnesotans. Unused
wells can also pose a health and safety hazard
especially for children and animals.
How do abandoned/unused wells
threaten groundwater?
Groundwater can be found in underground geologic formations called aquifers. The layer of rock
and soil that lie between an aquifer and the surface, or between aquifers, acts as a natural barrier against the spread of contamination. An unused, unsealed well can provide an open channel
between the surface and aquifers, or between a
shall and deep aquifer. An unused well can act as
a drain—allowing surface water runoff, contaminated water, or improperly disposed waste to
reach an uncontaminated aquifer.
How do I know if I have an unused, unsealed
well on my property?
One way is to find out when your home was built and when
public water was first available in your area. If your home
was built before the availability of water; there most likely is
a well on your property. Physical evidence is often another
indicator, this can include a water pump, water pipes, a well
casing, windmills, a small building away from your home, or
a depression in your yard. Wells may sometimes be in the
basement, usually in a smaller room.
What does a well look like?
You can often see the casing of an unused well sticking up
out of the ground. Look for a metal pipe typically from 1/4
inches to 6 inches in diameter. Wells that were dug rather
than drilled may appear as a ring —- made of concrete, tile,
bricks, or rocks– in the ground or pit. The ring could be 1236 inches in diameter. Many times a windmill, metal or concrete cover,or manhole may mark the location.
A pipe sticking up out of the floor– possibly stuffed with rags
– could be a well casing inside your home. Wells were often
housed in a “basement offset” - a small room attached to
the basement often located under exterior concrete steps.
How much does well sealing cost?
Typically the cost ranges from $600-$1000 for
small diameter wells. Although other factors like
access to the well, the location, condition, depth,
diameter, and the amount debris also affect the
price.
What if I cannot afford to seal my well?
Rice County offers a Targeted Well Sealing CostShare Program. This cost-share program assists
property owners in paying 50% of the cost (up to
$1,000) for sealing unused wells that have a potential to negatively impact the ground/surface
water in the Rice County area. Priority is given to
wells located in municipalities’ Drinking Water
Safety Management Areas (DWSMAs), then to
wells in the same aquifer as one or more nearby
public water supply wells.
To be eligible individuals must own the real property located in Rice County on which the unused
well is sealed. The well must be sealed by a licensed contractor and no work can commence
until an application has been approved. Funding
will be provided on a first come first serve basis.
The cost-share program is administered through
Rice County Environmental Service. Further information and application materials can be obtained
online at www.co.rice.mn.us/planning or by contacting Rice County Environmental Services via
email at rcplanningzoning@co.rice.mn.us or by
phone at 507-332-6113.