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~ c. d. water shall be used if less sand than 2 parts sand per one part cement by weight is used. Additional water may be required when special additives, such as bentonite, or 'accelerators' or 'retardants' are used. Concrete. Concrete is often useful for large volume annular seals, such as in large-diameter wells. The proper use of aggregate can decrease the permeability of the annular seal, reduce shrinkage, and reduce the heat of hydration generated by the seal. Concrete shall consist of Portland cement and aggregate mixed at a ratio of at least six-94 pound sacks of Portland cement per cubic yard of aggregate. A popular concrete mix consists of eight-94 pound sacks of Type I or Type II Portland cement per cubic yard of uniform 3/8-inch aggregate. In no case shall the size of the aggregate be more than 1/5 the radial thickness of the annular seal. Water shall be added to concrete mixes to attain proper consistency for placement, setting, and curing. Mixing. Cement-based sealing materials shall be mixed thoroughly to provide uniformity and ensure that no 'lumps' exist. Ratios of the components of cement-based sealing materials can be varied depending on the type of cement and additives used. Variations must be approved by the enforcing agency. 3.Bentonite. Bentonite clay in 'gel' form has some of the advantages of cement-based sealing material. A disadvantage is that the clay can sometimes separate from the clay- water mixture. Although many types of clay mixtures are available, none has sealing properties comparable to bentonite clay. Bentonite expands significantly in volume when hydrated. Only bentonite clay is an acceptable clay for annular seals. Unamended bentonite clay seals should not be used where structural strength of the seal is required, or where it will dry. Bentonite seals may have a tendency to dry, shrink and crack in arid and semi-arid areas of California where subsurface moisture levels can be low. Bentonite clay seals can be adversely affected by subsurface chemical conditions, as can cement-based materials. ~~ Bentonite clay shall not be used as a sealing material if roots from trees and other deep rooted plants might invade and disrupt the seal, and/or damage the well casing. Roots may grow in an interval containing a bentonite seal depending on surrounding soil conditions and vegetation. Bentonite-based sealing material shall not be used for sealing intervals of fractured rock or sealing intervals of highly unstable, unconsolidated material that could collapse and displace the sealing material, unless otherwise approved by the enforcing agency. Bentonite clay shall not be used as a sealing material where flowing water might erode it. Bentonite clay products used for sealing material must be specifically prepared for such use. Used drilling mud and/or cuttings from drilling shall not be used in sealing material. -19-