No. 31709 (Amendment): R309-515-6. Ground Water - Wells

DAR File No.: 31709
Filed: 07/15/2008, 02:36
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The changes are necessary to eliminate a compromised well seal caused by installing a pitless unit on a well casing; and replace no longer existing standards with a current industry-accepted one.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed amendments: require the replacement of a well seal disturbed during excavation to install a pitless adapter; require the well casing to be completely sealed after installing a pitless adapter; and citing a standard of manufacturing for pitless adapters.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 19-4-104

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

None--This amendment provides more consistency between this rule and the State Engineer's rules for well drillers, but does not add any inspection or monitoring not already budgeted.

local governments:

Little to none--The well drillers already generally meet these requirements. The replacement standard has been accepted by the industry for over ten years.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

Little to none--The well drillers already generally meet these requirements. The replacement standard has been accepted by the industry for over ten years.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There may be marginal costs associated with replacing the well seal.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The department agrees that the proposed changed to this rule will have little to no detrimental impact on existing water systems nor on new public water systems. Richard Sprott, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Environmental Quality
Drinking Water
150 N 1950 W
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3085

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Bill Birkes at the above address, by phone at 801-536-4201, by FAX at 801-536-4211, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

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:

09/02/2008

This rule may become effective on:

09/09/2008

Authorized by:

Ken Bousfield, Director

RULE TEXT

R309. Environmental Quality, Drinking Water.

R309-515. Facility Design and Operation: Source Development.

R309-515-6. Ground Water - Wells.

 

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(12) Well Equipping.

(a) Naturally Flowing Wells.

Naturally flowing wells shall:

(i) have the discharge controlled by valves,

(ii) be provided with permanent casing and sealed by grout,

(iii) if erosion of the confining bed adjacent to the well appears likely, special protective construction may be required by the Division.

(b) Line Shaft Pumps.

Wells equipped with line shaft pumps shall:

(i) have the casing firmly connected to the pump structure or have the casing inserted into the recess extending at least 0.5 inches into the pump base,

(ii) have the pump foundation and base designed to prevent fluids from coming into contact with joints between the pump base and the casing,

(iii) be designed such that the intake of the well pump is at least ten feet below the maximum anticipated drawdown elevation,

(iv) avoid the use of oil lubrication for pumps with intake screens set at depths less than 400 feet (see R309-105-10(7) and/or R309-515-8(2)for additional requirements of lubricants).

(c) Submersible Pumps.

Where a submersible pump is used:

(i) The top of the casing shall be effectively sealed against the entrance of water under all conditions of vibration or movement of conductors or cables.

(ii) The electrical cable shall be firmly attached to the riser pipe at 20 foot intervals or less.

(iv) The intake of the well pump must be at least ten feet below the maximum anticipated drawdown elevation.

(d) Pitless Well Units and Adapters.

If the excavation surrounding the well casing allowing installation of the pitless unit compromises the surface seal the competency of the surface seal shall be restored. Torch cut holes in the well casing shall be to neat lines closely following the outline of the pitless adapter and completely filled with a competent weld with burrs and fins removed prior to the installation of the pitless unit and adapter.

Pitless well units and adapters shall:

(i) not be used unless the specific application has been approved by the Executive Secretary,

(ii) be used to make a conection to a water well casing that is made below the ground. A below the ground connection shall not be submerged in water during installation,

(iii) terminate at least 18 inches above final ground elevation or three feet above the highest known flood elevation whichever is greater,

(iv)[(iii)] pitless adapters or pitless units to be used shall contain a label or imprint indicating compliance with the Water Systems Council Pitless Adapter Standard (PAS-97)[be approved by NSF International or the Pitless Adapter Association or other appropriate Review Authority],

(v)[(iv)] have suitable access to the interior of the casing in order to disinfect the well,

(vi)[(v)] have a suitable sanitary seal or cover at the upper terminal of the casing that will prevent the entrance of any fluids or contamination, especially at the connection point of the electrical cables,

(vii)[(vi)] have suitable access so that measurements of static and pumped water levels in the well can be obtained,

(viii)[(vii)] allow at least one check valve within the well casing,

(ix) [(viii)] be furnished with a cover that is lockable or otherwise protected against vandalism or sabotage,

(x)[(ix)] be shop-fabricated from the point of connection with the well casing to the unit cap or cover,

(xi)[(x)] be of watertight construction throughout,

(xii)[(xi)] be constructed of materials at least equivalent to and having wall thickness compatible to the casing,

(xiii)[(xii)] have field connection to the lateral discharge from the pitless unit of threaded, flanged or mechanical joint connection,

(xiv)[(xiii)] be threaded or welded to the well casing. If the connection to the casing is by field weld, the shop assembled unit must be designed specifically for field welding to the casing. The only field welding permitted on the pitless unit will be that needed to connect a pitless unit to the casing, and

(xv)[(xiv)] have an inside diameter as great as that of the well casing, up to and including casing diameters of 12 inches, to facilitate work and repair on the well, pump, or well screen.

(e) Well Discharge Piping.

The discharge piping shall:

(i) be designed so that the friction loss will be low,

(ii) have control valves and appurtenances located above the pump house floor when an above-ground discharge is provided,

(iii) be protected against the entrance of contamination,

(iv) be equipped with (in order of placement from the well head) a smooth nosed sampling tap, a check valve, a pressure gauge, a means of measuring flow and a shutoff valve,

(v) where a well pumps directly into a distribution system, be equipped with an air release vacuum relief valve located upstream from the check valve, with exhaust/relief piping terminating in a down-turned position at least six inches above the floor and covered with a No. 14 mesh corrosion resistant screen. An exception to this requirement will be allowed provided specific proposed well head valve and piping design includes provisions for pumping to waste all trapped air before water is introduced into the distribution system,

(vi) have all exposed piping valves and appurtenances protected against physical damage and freezing,

(vii) be properly anchored to prevent movement, and

(f) Water Level Measurement.

(i) Provisions shall be made to permit periodic measurement of water levels in the completed well.

(ii) Where permanent water level measuring equipment is installed it shall be made using corrosion resistant materials attached firmly to the drop pipe or pump column and installed in such a manner as to prevent entrance of foreign materials.

(g) Observation Wells.

Observation wells shall be:

(i) constructed in accordance with the requirements for permanent wells if they are to remain in service after completion of a water supply well, and

(ii) protected at the upper terminal to preclude entrance of foreign materials.

(h) Electrical Protection.

Sufficient electrical controls shall be placed on all pump motors to eliminate electrical problems due to phase shifts, surges, lightning, etc.

(13) Well House Construction.

The use of a well house is strongly recommended, particularly in installations utilizing above ground motors.

In addition to applicable provisions of R309-540, well pump houses shall conform to the following:

(a) Casing Projection Above Floor.

The permanent casing for all ground water wells shall project at least 12 inches above the pump house floor or concrete apron surface and at least 18 inches above the final ground surface. However, casings terminated in underground vaults may be permitted if the vault is provided with a drain to daylight sized to handle in excess of the well flow and surface runoff is directed away from the vault access.

(b) Floor Drain.

Where a well house is constructed the floor surface shall be at least six inches above the final ground elevation and shall be sloped to provide drainage. A "drain-to-daylight" shall be provided unless highly impractical.

(c) Earth Berm.

Sites subject to flooding shall be provided with an earth berm terminating at an elevation at least two feet above the highest known flood elevation or other suitable protection as determined by the Executive Secretary.

(d) Well Casing Termination at Flood Sites.

The top of the well casing at sites subject to flooding shall terminate at least 3 feet above the 100 year flood level or the highest known flood elevation, whichever is higher (refer to R309-515-6(6)(b)(vi)).

(e) Miscellaneous.

The well house shall be ventilated, heated and lighted in such a manner as to assure adequate protection of the equipment (refer to R309-540-5(2) (a) through (h)

(f) Fencing.

Where necessary to protect the quality of the well water the Executive Secretary may require that certain wells be fenced in a manner similar to fencing required around spring areas.

(g) Access.

An access shall be provided either through the well house roof or sidewalls in the event the pump must be pulled for replacement or servicing the well.

 

KEY: drinking water, source development, source maintenance

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [April 21, 2004]2008

Notice of Continuation: April 2, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 19-4-104