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During prolonged interruptions (i.e., one week or If the pump has been removed for repair or replace- more), a semipermanent cover shall be installed. For wells ment, the well shall not be considered "abandoned". During cased with steel, a steel cover, tack-welded to the top of the repair period, the well shall be adequately covered to the casing, is adequate. prevent injury to people and to prevent the entrance of Part III. Destruction of Wells undesirable water or foreign matter. Observation or test wells used in the investigation Section 20. Purpose of Destruction. or management of ground water basins by governmental agencies A well that is no longer useful (including or engineering or research organizations are not considered � abandoned so long as they are maintained for this purpose. exploration and test holes) must be destroyed in order to: However, such wells shall be covered with an appropriate cap, bearing the label, "Observation Well", and the name of the 1. Assure that the ground water supply is agency or organization, and preferably shall be locked when protected and preserved for further use. measurements are not bein g made. When these wells are no longer used for this.purpose or for supplying water, they 2. Eliminate the potential physical hazard. shall be considered "abandoned". Section 21. Definition of "Abandoned" Well. Section 22. General Requirement. A well is considered "abandoned" when it has not All "abandoned" wells and exploration or test holes been used for a period of one year, unless the owner shall be destroyed. The objective of destruction is to iemonstrates his intention to use the well again for supply- restore as nearly as possible those subsurface conditions ing water or other associated purpose (such as an observa- which existed before the well was constructed taking into tion well or- injection well). The well shall then be account also changes, if any, which have occurred since the considered "inactive". As evidence of his intentions for time of construction. (For example, an aquifer which may continued use, the owner shall properly maintain the well in have produced good quality water at one time but which now such a way that: produces water of inferior quality such as a coastal aquifer 1. The well has no defects which will allow that has been invaded by seawater.] the impairment of quality of water in the well or in the Destruction of a well shall consist of the complete water-bearing formations penetrated. filling of the well in accordance with the procedures 2. The well is covered such that the cover is iescribed in Section 23 (following). ;watertight and cannot be removed except with the aid of Section 23. Requirements for Destroying Wells. equipment or the use of tools. A. Prelimin. Work. Before the well is 3., The well 'is marked so that it can be iestroyed, it shall be investigated to .determine its ;leanly seen. condition, details of construction, and whether there are 4. The area surrounding the well is kept clear tea t ctions that will interfere with the process of filling sealing. This may include the -use of downhole television cf brush or debris. and photography for visual inspection of the well. 1. If there are any obstructions, they shall Very often wells are prematurely abandoned and destroyed. be removed, if possible, by cleaning out the hole. However, proper maintenance will ensure that they will 2. Where necessary, to ensure that sealing continue to-produce for many years. The maintenance naterial fills not only the well casing but also any annular program should include regular measurement of the water space or nearby voids within the .zone(s) to be sealed, the level (depth to water from ground surface), determination casing should be perforated or otherwise punctured. of water quality, pump tests (for determination of pump and well efficiency) and cleaning. 3. In some wells, it may be necessary or Although it should be obvious, the reader is reminded that iesirable to remove a part of the casing. However, in many an "abandoned" well should never be used for the disposal instances this can be done only as the well is filled. For of trash, garbage, sewage (except where sewage is iu wells as much of the lining reclaimed for recharging the ground water basin and then g + ing as possible (or safe) should � ce removed prior to filling. only in accordance with the provisions of Section 4458 of the California Health and Safety Code and Section 13540 of B. Filling and Sealing Conditions. Following are the Water Code). requirements to be observed when certain conditions are :ncountered: