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Part II. Monitoring Well Construction <br />Section 8. Well Location With Respect to Pollutants and Contaminants, and Structures. <br />Monitoring wells are usually constructed to observe conditions at defined or required locations. Monitoring <br />well locations are usually selected on the basis of known or expected hydrologic, geologic, and water quality <br />conditions and the location of pollutant or contaminant sources. Monitoring wells frequently need to be <br />located close to or within areas of pollution or contamination. <br />A Se~aration. Monitoring wells shall be located an adequate distance from known or potential <br />sources of pollution and contamination, including those listed in Section 8 of the Water Well <br />Standards, unless regulatory or legitimate data requirements necessitate they be located closer. <br />B.Flooding and Drainage. Monitoring wells should be located in areas protected from flooding, <br />if possible. Provisions for locating monitoring wells in areas of flooding and drainage are <br />contained in Section 8 of the Water Well Standards. <br />c.AccessibilitY. All monitoring wells shall be located an adequate distance from buildings and <br />other structures to allow access for well maintenance, modification, repair, and destruction, <br />unless otherwise approved by the enforcing agency. <br />D.Disposal of Wastes When Drillinl! in Contaminated or Polluted Areas. Drill cuttings and <br />wastewater from monitoring wells or exploration holes in areas of known or suspected <br />contamination or pollution shall be disposed of in accordance with all applicable federal, State, <br />and local requirements. The enforcing agency should be contacted to determine requirements <br />for the proper disposal of cuttings and wastewater. <br />Section 9. Sealing the Upper Annular Space. <br />The space between the monitoring well casing and the wall of the well boring, usually referred to as the <br />"annular space," shall be effectively sealed to prevent it from being a preferential pathway for the movement <br />of poor quality water, pollutants, and contaminants. Since monitoring wells are often constructed to obtain <br />water from discrete intervals, a secondary purpose of the annular seal can be to isolate the well intake section <br />or screen to one water-bearing unit. The annular seal can also serve to protect the structural integrity of the <br />well casing and to protect the casing from chemical attack and corrosion. Because monitoring wells are often <br />located close to, or within areas affected by pollutants and contaminants, an effective annular seal is often <br />critical for the protection of ground water quality. <br />General discussion of sealing methods and requirements for monitoring wells is contained in Section 9, <br />Section 13, and Appendix B, of the Water Well Standards. Special requirements for monitoring wells include <br />the following: <br />A Minimum DeQth of Annular Seal. <br />1. <br />Water Qualitv monitorinl! wells and monitoring wells constructed in areas of known or <br />susp;ected p;ollution or contamination. The annular space shall be sealed from the top <br />of the filter pack or monitoring zone to ground surface, unless otherwise approved by <br />the enforcing agency. The top of the filter pack or monitoring zone shall not extend <br />into another water-bearing unit above the single water-bearing unit being monitored <br />unless otherwise approved by the enforcing agency. The filter pack or monitoring zone <br />shall not extend into any confining layers that overlie or underlie the unit to be moni- <br />-41-