Well Drillers/Pump Well Drillers/Pump Installers/ Abandoned Installers/ Abandoned Well Notification and Well Notification and

Referral ProgramReferral Program

The Primary Goals of the Program

Groundwater protection License qualified drillers and pump installers Establish and enforce minimum well

construction, well plugging, and pump installation standards

Administration of the Abandoned Well Notification and Enforcement Program

Regulation through cooperation with state and federal agencies and local governments.

WELL DRILLER/PUMP INSTALLER CONTACT INFORMATION

Department website: www.license.state.tx.us

Program main line: 512/463-7880

Program fax: 512/463-8616

Program email: water.well@license.state.tx.us

Customer Service: 512/463-6599

Customer Service email: cs.water.well@license.state.tx.us

Available on the Department’s website:

Report Violations/File Complaints on-line Well Construction and Plugging Specifications Texas Well Report Submission and Retrieval System link TCEQ Well Report Viewer (for wells drilled before 2003) Water Well Driller Advisory Council information Well Reports Plugging Reports Undesirable Water and Constituent Reports License Applications Apprentice Registration Applications Tex. Admin. Code Chapter 76 (Rules) Tex. Occupations Code Chapters 1901 (Drillers) & 1902 (Pump Installers) Variance Request Forms Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Upcoming continuing education courses Examination References Report Abandoned Wells

TDLR’s Home PageTDLR’s Home Page

Water Well Driller/Pump Installer Web Page

Texas Well Report Submission and Retrieval System

You can enter your well reports online, you will use your license number You can enter your well reports online, you will use your license number (without the letters) for you User ID and a passcode issued by the (without the letters) for you User ID and a passcode issued by the department.department.

After entering the well report you will be given a tracking number and the After entering the well report you will be given a tracking number and the option to print the well report. We recommend that you write the option to print the well report. We recommend that you write the tracking number on your customer’s invoice, this way if you ever need to tracking number on your customer’s invoice, this way if you ever need to find the well report you can pull the customer's file and enter the tracking find the well report you can pull the customer's file and enter the tracking number into the search well report by tracking number field and you have number into the search well report by tracking number field and you have the well report, no need to maintain a copy of the well report in your the well report, no need to maintain a copy of the well report in your records.records.

If you drill multiple wells (i.e. soil boring, geothermal wells or monitoring If you drill multiple wells (i.e. soil boring, geothermal wells or monitoring wells) at the same location and all the wells are the same depth and wells) at the same location and all the wells are the same depth and completed the same, then you only need to fill out one well report and completed the same, then you only need to fill out one well report and write the number of wells drilled in the comment area.write the number of wells drilled in the comment area.

Driller License Designations 76.600 (d)

A – Master Well Driller W – Water Well DrillerM – Monitor Well DrillerC – Closed Loop Geothermal Well DrillerD – Dewatering Well DrillerN – Injection Well Driller

Pump Installer License Designations 76.600 (d)

I – Master Pump Installer

L – Windmills, Hand Pumps, and Pump Jacks

P – Single Phase Pump Installer

K – Three Phase Pump Installer

T – Line-shaft Turbine Pump Installer

Pump Column 76.1000 (m)Pump Column 76.1000 (m)

Pump column material that has been Pump column material that has been used in the production of oil or gas or used in the production of oil or gas or has been exposed to contamination has been exposed to contamination may not be placed in a well may not be placed in a well regulated by this department. regulated by this department.

Apprenticeship Requirements 76.206

Supervisor must be within 1 hour travel time; Supervisor must visit the site once per day (drillers); Apprentice may not perform or offer outside of apprenticeship; Apprentice may be supervised by other licensees with same

company as supervisor; With each renewal, supervisor must provide written progress report

evaluating performance compared to established training program; To renew a registration as an apprentice, a registrant must complete

a 1 hour department approved continuing education course dedicated to the WD/PI statutes and rules.

A licensee may not supervise more than (3) apprentices at any one time; combination licenses may have up to 6 (3 of each).

Local Authority76.1000.

(a) Wells shall be completed in accordance with the following specifications and in compliance with the local groundwater conservation district rules or incorporated city ordinances:

Groundwater DistrictsGroundwater Districts

As you will notice on the following As you will notice on the following map, there has been the addition of map, there has been the addition of many Groundwater Districts. Be sure many Groundwater Districts. Be sure to find out before drilling if the well is to find out before drilling if the well is located in a district. If so, please located in a district. If so, please contact the district prior to drilling.contact the district prior to drilling.

76.708. Responsibilities of the Licensee - Adherence to Manufacturer's Recommended Well Construction Materials and Equipment

(a) It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to select the correct slot size for manufacturer well screen in a domestic (household use) water well to prevent sand/sediments from entering the well unless waived by the landowner or person having the well drilled in writing.

(b) It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to adhere to manufacturers' recommended pump sizing and wiring specifications.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to select the proper hydraulic collapse pressure for casing to be installed.

76.703 Responsibilities of the Licensee – Standards of Completion for Public Water System Wells

76.703(1)The licensed driller shall, to the best of his or her abilities,ascertain whether a well which is to be drilled, deepened, oraltered is intended for use as part of a public water systemand shall comply with all applicable rules of the TCEQunder 30 TAC Chapter 290 and any other local codes orregional regulations.

Questions should be directed to the TCEQ’s Water Utilitiesand Districts Section at 512/239-4691

Water Wells Located Within Public Water Supply Sanitary Easements

76.1000(k)

Water wells located within public water supply sanitary

easements (150 feet) must be constructed to public water well

standards pursuant to 30 TAC Chapter 290.

Drilling Fluids and Cuttings

76.1000(f)

Each licensed well driller drilling, deepening, or altering a well shall keep anydrilling fluids, tailings, cuttings, or spoils contained in such a manner so as toprevent spillage onto adjacent property not under the jurisdiction or controlof the well owner without the adjacent property owners’ written consent.

76.1000(g)

Each licensed well driller drilling, deepening, or altering a well shall prevent the spillage of any drilling fluids, tailings, cuttings, or spoils into any bodyof surface water.

VarianceVariance (a) If the party having the well drilled, deepened or (a) If the party having the well drilled, deepened or

altered, the licensed well driller, or the party, landowner altered, the licensed well driller, or the party, landowner or person drilling or plugging the well, finds any of the or person drilling or plugging the well, finds any of the procedures prescribed by §§76.1000, 76.1001, 76.1002, procedures prescribed by §§76.1000, 76.1001, 76.1002, 76.1003, 76.1004 and 76.1005 inapplicable, unworkable, 76.1003, 76.1004 and 76.1005 inapplicable, unworkable, or inadequate, combinations of the prescribed or inadequate, combinations of the prescribed procedures or alternative procedures may be employed, procedures or alternative procedures may be employed, provided that the proposed alternative procedures will provided that the proposed alternative procedures will prevent injury and pollution.prevent injury and pollution.

(b) Written proposals to use combinations of prescribed (b) Written proposals to use combinations of prescribed procedures or alternative procedures shall be considered procedures or alternative procedures shall be considered application for a variance and must be submitted to the application for a variance and must be submitted to the Department for review prior to their implementation, Department for review prior to their implementation, and also provide a copy of the variance to the local and also provide a copy of the variance to the local groundwater conservation district.groundwater conservation district.

76.1000(h) Chlorination/Disinfection of Wells

Unless waived by written request from the landowner, a new, repaired, orreconditioned well or pump installation or repair on a well used for humanconsumption shall be properly disinfected. The well shall be properlydisinfected with chlorine or other appropriate disinfecting agent under thecircumstances.

A disinfecting solution with a minimum concentration of fifty(50) Milligrams per liter (mg/L) (ppm), shall be placed in the well as requiredby the American Water Works Association (AWWA), pursuant toANST/AWWA C654-87 and the United States Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA).

76.702 Responsibilities of the Licensee and Landowner

(Access Denied)

76.702(a)(1) If well is not completed to established specifications.

Where a landowner, or person having the well drilled, deepened, or altered, denies a licensed welldriller access to the well to complete the well to established standards and thereby precludes thedriller from performing his or her duties under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapters 1901 and 1902 and this title, the well driller shall file with the Department a statement to that effect within five days of the denial. The landowner or person authorizing the well work must complete the well to established standards within ten days of notification by the Department.

76.702(e)(1) If undesirable water is encountered.

Where a person or landowner having the well drilled, deepened, or altered denies a licensed driller access to a well which requires plugging or completion or otherwise precludes the driller from plugging or completing a well which has encountered undesirable water or constituents, the driller shall, within 48 hours, file a signed statement to that effect with the Department and provide a copy of the statement to the local groundwater conservation district.

Well constructionWell construction In the following slide you will notice In the following slide you will notice

the proper completion of a well. It the proper completion of a well. It shows:shows:

The 10 feet of annular cementThe 10 feet of annular cement The sloping slab that extends 2 feet in The sloping slab that extends 2 feet in

all directionsall directions The casing extending 12 inches above The casing extending 12 inches above

land surface.land surface.

Well Construction Specifications

Annular Seal Violations Examples

Appears to be in compliance After inspection no cement

Annular Seal Violations

Appears to be in compliance After inspection no cement

Alternative Surface Completion

The following two slides indicate the proper completion methods for using a sleeve and a pitless adapter.

Annular Cement & Surface CompletionViolations

Improper Annular Seal, Surface Completion, and Cap

Look the cement almost made it in.

Beyond popular belief, electrical, duct or scotch tape is not a proper cap

Proper Surface Completion

Proper Alternate Surface Completions

SetbacksSetbacks The following slides show the proper The following slides show the proper

distances for setback on septic tanks, distances for setback on septic tanks, drain fields and potential sources of drain fields and potential sources of contamination and;contamination and;

The proper well completion for The proper well completion for reducing the setbacks.reducing the setbacks.

76.1000(a)(6)(A)(B)(C) Exceptions To Property Line Distance Requirements

(6) The following are exceptions to the property line distance requirementwhere:

(A) groundwater conservation district rules are in place regulating thespacing of wells;

(B) platted or deed restriction subdivision spacing of wells and on-site sewage systems are part of the planning; or

(C) public wastewater treatment is provided and utilized by the landowner.

If A Well Driller Knowingly Encounters Undesirable Water or Constituents Overlying Or Underlying Fresh Water

Or Is Producing Undesirable Water

76.1001(3)(4) & 76.1002(b) & 76.1004 (a)(4)

Bentonite grout may not be used if a water zone contains chlorides above onethousand five hundred (1500) parts per million (mg/L) or if hydrocarbons arepresent.

The use of bentonite in well plugging operations also falls under the chlorideand hydrocarbon criteria.

Proper completion method to prevent commingling of aquifers and zones

Proper completion method to prevent commingling of aquifers and zones

Proper completion method for the production of undesirable water

Abandoned and DeterioratedWater Wells

(TAC Chapter 1901.255)

A view of the inside of an old abandoned hand dug well

Is this well abandoned? Can it be brought into compliance? The answer is yes and yes, see the next slide to find out why.

Abandoned well means…

(§ 1901.255) …a well that is not in use. A well is considered to

be in use in the following cases:

the well is not a deteriorated well and contains the casing, pump, and pump column in good condition;

the well is not a deteriorated well and has been capped; the well is used in the normal course and scope and with the intensity and

frequency of other similar users in the general community; or the owner is participating in the Conservation Reserve Program or similar

governmental program.

Improper

C

ap

Are 5 gallon buckets proper caps for wells?.....look at the bucket

Deteriorated WellsTAC 1901.255 (a) (2)

"Deteriorated well" means a well that because of its condition, will cause or is likely to cause pollution of any water in this state, including groundwater.

Is the well properly completed? Let’s take a closer look on the next slide.

Apparently not, no slab or sleeve and no annular cement!

By the way, that would be 3 violations!!!

Well Plugging Specifications(Chapter 76.1004)

Large Hand Dug and Bored Wells…

…36-inches or greater in diameter to one hundred (100) feet:

May be plugged by backfilling with compacted clay or caliche to surface.

All removable debris shall be removed from the well.

If the well contains standing water, it shall be chlorinated by adding chlorine bleach at a rate of one (1) gallon of bleach for every five hundred (500) gallons of standing water.

Leave fill mounded to compensate for settling (recommend cement plug below ground level).

This is what can happen if these large diameter wells are left unplugged.

Oh and by the way, the horse survived, with the help of the fire department

And two winch trucks.

Wells drilled prior to June 1, 1983, will be grandfathered without

further modification unless the well is found to be a threat to

public health and safety or to groundwater quality.

The following will be considered a threat to public health and

safety or to groundwater quality:

Chapter 76.1005

1. the annular space around the well casing is open at the land surface;

2. an unprotected opening in the well casing that is above ground level;

3. top of well casing is below known flood level and not appropriately sealed;

4. deteriorated well casing allowing commingling of aquifers or zones of water of different quality;

5. water wells with the well head below ground level unless the Department grants a variance.

6. water wells located within fifty (50) feet of a source of contamination which affects the quality of water produced by the

well. (Amended December 1. 2006)

The following slide shows the proper well completion method for The following slide shows the proper well completion method for wells drilled before June 1, 1983.wells drilled before June 1, 1983.

Dry HolesChapter 76.1004 (c)

Wells which do not encounter groundwater (dry holes) may be

plugged by backfilling with drill cuttings from total depth to

within two (2) feet of the surface (or plow depth); where a two

(2) feet cement plug shall be poured.

Driller and/or Pump Installer Responsibilities

Texas Occupations Code Chapters 1901 and 1902 requires:

Each licensed driller or pump installer who knows of an abandoned or deteriorated well shall notify the landowner orperson possessing the well that well must be plugged or capped inorder to avoid injury or pollution.

The 16 TEX. ADMIN. CODE Ch. 76 Rules specify well re-completion standards if the landowner intends on keepingand using a well in this category.

Plugging, Capping Or Re-completion Operations(Chapter 76.702)

The abandoned and/or deteriorated well(s) must be plugged,

capped or re-completed by a licensed driller, licensed pump

installer or the landowner themselves.

Groundwater Conservation District (GCD) Enforcement Action Authority

Abandoned and/or Deteriorated Wells (effective September 1, 2003)

The 78th Legislature authorized GCDs to enforce compliance

with Tex. Occupations Code Chapter 1901.255 related to

abandoned and deteriorated wells within the boundaries of the

District.

GCDs can conduct abandoned/deteriorated well investigations,

bring enforcement actions against well owners, or refer

complaints and investigations to the Department.

And that concludes the required water

well driller and pump installer 1 hour statutes

and rules continuing education course.