No. 31710 (Amendment): R309-515-6. Ground Water - Wells

DAR File No.: 31710
Filed: 07/15/2008, 02:39
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Three reasons for the changes are: 1) to maintain consistency with the State Engineer's well drilling rules; 2) to eliminate inadvertent contamination of ground water; and 3) to remove redundant language.

Summary of the rule or change:

The changes: 1) maintain consistency with the State Engineer's well drilling rules; 2) eliminate inadvertent contamination of ground water; and 3) remove redundant language.

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.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

Little to none--The well drillers already generally meet these requirements.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Little to none since these proposals reflect current practice, however, in the rare instance of needing to seal a large annular space more select material will be required instead of using local materials.

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

The department agrees that the proposed changes 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.

(1) Required Treatment.

If properly developed, water from wells may be suitable for culinary use without treatment. A determination as to whether treatment may be required can only be made after the source has been developed and evaluated.

(2) Standby Power.

Water suppliers, particularly community water suppliers, should assess the capability of their system in the event of a power outage. If gravity fed spring sources are not available, one or more of the system's well sources should be equipped for operation during power outages. In this event:

(a) To ensure continuous service when the primary power has been interrupted, a power supply should be provided through connection to at least two independent public power sources, or portable or in-place auxiliary power available as an alternative; and

(b) When automatic pre-lubrication of pump bearings is necessary, and an auxiliary power supply is provided, the pre-lubrication line should be provided with a valved by-pass around the automatic control, or the automatic control shall be wired to the emergency power source.

(3) The Utah Division of Water Rights.

The Utah Division of Water Rights (State Engineer's Office) regulates the drilling of water wells. Before the drilling of a well commences, the well driller must receive a start card from the State Engineer's Office. For public drinking water supply wells the rules of R655-4 still apply and must be followed in addition to these rules.

(4) Source Protection.

Public drinking water systems are responsible for protecting their sources from contamination. The selection of a well location shall only be made after consideration of the requirements of R309-600. Sources shall be located in an area which will minimize threats from existing or potential sources of pollution.

If certain precautions are taken, sewer lines may be permitted within a public drinking water system's source protection zones at the discretion of the Executive Secretary. When sewer lines are permitted in protection zones both sewer lines and manholes shall be specially constructed as follows:

(a) sewer lines shall be ductile iron pipe with mechanical joints or fusion welded high density polyethylene plastic pipe (solvent welded joints shall not be accepted);

(b) lateral to main connection shall be shop fabricated or saddled with a mechanical clamping watertight device designed for the specific pipe;

(c) the sewer pipe to manhole connections shall made using a shop fabricated sewer pipe seal ring cast into the manhole base (a mechanical joint shall be installed within 12 inches of the manhole base on each line entering the manhole, regardless of the pipe material);

(d) the sewer pipe shall be laid with no greater than 2 percent deflection at any joint;

(e) backfill shall be compacted to not less than 95 percent of maximum laboratory density as determined in accordance with ASTM Standard D-690;

(f) sewer manholes shall meet the following requirements:

(i) the manhole base and walls, up to a point at least 12 inches above the top of the upper most sewer pipe entering the manhole, shall be shop fabricated in a single concrete pour.

(ii) the manholes shall be constructed of reinforced concrete.

(iii) all sewer lines and manholes shall be air pressure tested after installation.

(5) Outline of Well Approval Process.

(a) Well drilling shall not commence until both of the following items are submitted and receive a favorable review:

(i) a Preliminary Evaluation Report on source protection issues as required by R309-600-13, and

(ii) engineering plans and specifications governing the well drilling, prepared by a licensed well driller holding a current Utah Well Drillers Permit if previously authorized by the Executive Secretary or prepared, signed and stamped by a licensed professional engineer or professional geologist licensed to practice in Utah.

(b) Grouting Inspection During Well Construction.

An engineer from the Division, or the appropriate district engineer of the Department of Environmental Quality, an authorized representative of the State Engineer's Office, or an individual authorized by the Executive Secretary shall be contacted at least three days before the anticipated beginning of the well grouting procedure (see R309-515-6(6)(i)). The well grouting procedure shall be witnessed by one of these individuals or their designee.

(c) After completion of the well drilling the following information shall be submitted and receive a favorable review before water from the well can be introduced into a public water system:

(i) a copy of the "Report of Well Driller" as required by the State Engineer's Office which is complete in all aspects and has been stamped as received by the same;

(ii) a copy of the letter from the authorized individual described in R309-515-6(5)(b) above, indicating inspection and confirmation that the well was grouted in accordance with the well drilling specifications and the requirements of this rule;

(iii) a copy of the pump test including the yield vs. drawdown test as described in R309-515-6(10)(b) along with comments / interpretation by a licensed professional engineer or licensed professional geologist of the graphic drawdown information required by R309-515-6(b)(vi)(E);

(iv) a copy of the chemical analyses required by R309-515-4(5);

(v) documentation indicating that the water system owner has a right to divert water for domestic or municipal purposes from the well source;

(vi) a copy of complete plans and specifications prepared, signed and stamped by a licensed professional engineer covering the well housing, equipment and diversion piping necessary to introduce water from the well into the distribution system; and

(vii) a bacteriological analysis of water obtained from the well after installation of permanent equipment, disinfection and flushing.

(d) An Operation Permit shall be obtained in accordance with R309-500-9 before any water from the well is introduced into a public water system.

(6) Well Materials, Design and Construction.

(a) ANSI/NSF Standards 60 and 61 Certification.

All interior surfaces must consist of products complying with ANSI/NSF Standard 61. This requirement applies to drop pipes, well screens, coatings, adhesives, solders, fluxes, pumps, switches, electrical wire, sensors, and all other equipment or surfaces which may contact the drinking water.

All substances introduced into the well during construction or development shall be certified to comply with ANSI/NSF Standard 60. This requirement applies to drilling fluids (biocides, clay thinners, defoamers, foamers, loss circulation materials, lubricants, oxygen scavengers, viscosifiers, weighting agents) and regenerants. This requirement also applies to well grouting and sealing materials which may come in direct contact with the drinking water.

(b) Permanent Steel Casing Pipe shall:

(i) be new single steel casing pipe meeting AWWA Standard A-100, ASTM or API specifications and having a minimum weight and thickness as given in Table 1 found in R655-4-9.4 of the Utah Administrative Code (Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers, adopted January 1, 2001, Division of Water Rights);

(ii) have additional thickness and weight if minimum thickness is not considered sufficient to assure reasonable life expectancy of the well;

(iii) be capable of withstanding forces to which it is subjected;

(iv) be equipped with a drive shoe when driven;

(v) have full circumferential welds or threaded coupling joints; and

(vi) project at least 18 inches above the anticipated final ground surface and at least 12 inches above the anticipated pump house floor level. At sites subject to flooding the top of the well casing shall terminate at least three feet above the 100 year flood level or the highest known flood elevation, whichever is higher.

(c) Non-Ferrous Casing Material.

The use of any non-ferrous material for a well casing shall receive prior approval of the Executive Secretary based on the ability of the material to perform its desired function. Thermoplastic water well casing pipe shall meet ANSI/ASTM Standard F480-76 and shall bear the logo NSF-wc indicating compliance with NSF Standard 14 for use as well casing.

(d) Disposal of Cuttings.

Cuttings and waste from well drilling operations shall not be discharged into a waterway, lake or reservoir. The rules of the Utah Division of Water Quality must be observed with respect to these discharges.

(e) Packers.

Packers, if used, shall be of material that will not impart taste, odor, toxic substances or bacterial contamination to the well water. Lead, or partial lead packers are specifically prohibited.

(f) Screens.

The use of well screens is recommended where appropriate and, if used, they shall:

(i) be constructed of material resistant to damage by chemical action of groundwater or cleaning operations;

(ii) have size of openings based on sieve analysis of formations or gravel pack materials;

(iii) have sufficient diameter to provide adequate specific capacity and low aperture entrance velocities;

(iv) be installed so that the operating water level remains above the screen under all pumping conditions; and

(v) be provided with a bottom plate or washdown bottom fitting of the same material as the screen.

(g) Plumbness and Alignment Requirements.

Every well shall be tested for plumbness and vertical alignment in accordance with AWWA Standard A100. Plans and specifications submitted for review shall:

(i) have the test method and allowable tolerances clearly stated in the specifications. and

(ii) clearly indicate any options the design engineer may have if the well fails to meet the requirements. Generally wells may be accepted if the misalignment does not interfere with the installation or operation of the pump or uniform placement of grout.

(h) Casing Perforations.

The placement of perforations in the well casing shall:

(i) be so located to permit as far as practical the uniform collection of water around the circumference of the well casing, and

(ii) be of dimensions and size to restrain the water bearing soils from entrance into the well.

(i) Grouting Techniques and Requirements.

For all public drinking water wells the annulus between the outermost well casing and the borehole wall[All permanent well casing for public drinking water wells] shall be grouted to a depth of at least 100 feet below the ground surface unless an "exception" is issued by the Executive Secretary (see R309-500-4(1)). If more than one casing is used, including a conductor casing, the annulus between the outermost casing and the next inner casing shall be sealed with grout (meeting the grouting materials requirements of R309-515-6(i)(ii) herein) or with a water tight steel ring having a thickness equal to that of the permanent well casing and continuously welded to both casings.

If a well is to be considered in a protected aquifer the grout seal shall extend from the ground surface down to at least 100 feet below the surface, and through the protective layer, as described in R309-600-6(1)(x)[(v)] (see also R309-515[151]-6(6)(i)(iii)(D) below).

The following applies to all drinking water wells:

(i) Consideration During Well Construction.

(A) Sufficient annular opening shall be provided to permit a minimum of two inches of grout between the outermost permanent casing and the drilled hole, taking into consideration any joint couplings.[ If a carrier casing is left in place, the minimum clearances above shall pertain to both annular openings (between casings and between carrier casing and the drilled hole), the carrier casing shall be adequately perforated so as to ensure grout contact with the native formations, and the carrier casing shall be withdrawn at least five feet during grouting operations.]

(B) Additional information is available from the Division for recommended construction methods for grout placement.

(C) The casing(s) must be provided with sufficient guides welded to the casing to permit unobstructed flow and uniform thickness of grout.

(ii) Grouting Materials.

(A) Neat Cement Grout.

Cement, conforming to ASTM Standard C150, and water, with no more than six gallons of water per sack of cement, shall be used for two inch openings. Additives may be used to increase fluidity subject to approval by the Executive Secretary.

(B) Concrete Grout.

Equal parts of cement conforming to ASTM Standard C150, and sand, with not more than six gallons of water per sack of cement may be used for openings larger than two inches.

(C) Clay Seal.

Where an annular opening greater than six inches is available a [clay ]seal of [clean local clay mixed with at least ten percent ]swelling bentonite meeting the requirements of R655-4-9.4.2 may be used when approved by the Executive Secretary.

(iii) Application.

(A) When the annular opening is less than four inches, grout shall be installed under pressure, by means of a positive displacement grout pump, from the bottom of the annular opening to be filled.

(B) When the annular opening is four or more inches and 100 feet or less in depth, and concrete grout is used, it may be placed by gravity through a grout pipe installed to the bottom of the annular opening in one continuous operation until the annular opening is filled.

(C) All temporary construction casings shall[should] be removed prior to or during the well sealing operation. Any exceptions shall be approved by the State Engineer and evidence of approval submitted to the Executive Secretary (see R655-4-9.4.3.1 for conditions surrounding leaving temporary surface casing in place. A temporary construction casing is a casing not intended to be part of the permanent well.[but shall be withdrawn at least five feet during the grouting operation to ensure grout contact with the native formations.]

(D) When a "well in a protected aquifer" classification is desired, the grout seal shall extend from the ground surface down to at least 100 feet below the surface, and through the protective clay layer (see R309-600-6(1)(x)[(v)]).[ If the clay layer starts below 100 feet, grout shall extend from the ground surface to a depth of at least 100 feet, grout or native fill may be utilized from there to the top of the clay layer, and then grout placed completely through the protective clay layer. If the clay layer starts and ends above 100 feet, grout shall extend from the ground surface down to and completely through the protective clay layer.]

(E) After cement grouting is applied, work on the well shall be discontinued until the cement or concrete grout has properly set; usually a period of 72 hours.

(j) Water Entered Into Well During Construction.

Any water entering a well during construction shall not be contaminated and should be obtained from a chlorinated municipal system. Where this is not possible the water must be dosed to give a 100 mg/l free chlorine residual. Refer also to the administrative rules of the Division of Water Rights in this regard.

(k) Gravel Pack Wells.

The following shall apply to gravel packed wells:

(i) the gravel pack material is to be of well rounded particles, 95 percent siliceous material, that are smooth and uniform, free of foreign material, properly sized, washed and then disinfected immediately prior to or during placement,

(ii) the gravel pack is placed in one uniform continuous operation,

(iii) refill pipes, when used, are Schedule 40 steel pipe incorporated within the pump foundation and terminated with screwed or welded caps at least 12 inches above the pump house floor or concrete apron,

(iv) refill pipes located in the grouted annular opening be surrounded by a minimum of 1.5 inches of grout,

(v) protection provided to prevent leakage of grout into the gravel pack or screen, and

(vi) any casings not withdrawn entirely meet requirements of R309-515-6(6)(b) or R309-515-6(6)(c).

(7) Well Development.

(a) Every well shall be developed to remove the native silts and clays, drilling mud or finer fraction of the gravel pack.

(b) Development should continue until the maximum specific capacity is obtained from the completed well.

(c) Where chemical conditioning is required, the specifications shall include provisions for the method, equipment, chemicals, testing for residual chemicals, and disposal of waste and inhibitors.

(d) Where blasting procedures may be used the specifications shall include the provisions for blasting and cleaning. Special attention shall be given to assure that the grouting and casing are not damaged by the blasting.

 

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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