Laserfiche WebLink
Stantec <br /> April 28,2009 <br /> Mr. Bob Aragon <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br /> Re: Response to DTSC Comments—Well Abandonment Work Plan <br /> the RWQCB's Central Lodi Plume data which indicates that the first encountered groundwater zone in the <br /> vicinity of the site is at a depth of approximately 57 feet(MW-24A, 5/9/07). <br /> Our assumption is that the wells were installed in 1913 at the same time the MGP facility was constructed <br /> since they are shown on the historical MGP drawings and water was a necessary component of the gas <br /> manufacturing process. The City of Lodi's 2005 Urban Water Management Plan reported "the average <br /> annual decrease in groundwater levels from 1927 to 2004 has been 0.39 feet per year." Historical water level <br /> data for Lodi shows a decrease of 30 feet in 77 years. If the water table was at least 30 feet higher when the <br /> wells were installed in 1913, the first encountered water would have been at 27 feet below ground surface. <br /> Therefore, based on historical water levels and present-day groundwater analytical results, it is unlikely that <br /> these wells act as conduits to deeper groundwater zones. It is also unlikely that the wells were completed at <br /> a depth of 50 feet or greater with an excess of 25 feet of screen;however, the since the actual depth of the <br /> casing is unknown, an option for sampling of groundwater in the vicinity of the wells will be included as part of <br /> the well destruction work plan. <br /> PG&E proposes to measure the static water level in the well at the conclusion of water rotary drilling <br /> operations. The following day, prior to video logging, the static water level will be measured again. If water is <br /> present in the well casing it will be purged. After purging, the well will be videoed with a downhole camera. <br /> The video log will allow PG&E to evaluate the condition of the well casing and well screen. The static water <br /> level will be measured again after completion of the video logging. <br /> Because the fill material in the well casing may contain waste materials, any water sample from inside the <br /> well casing likely will not be indicative of groundwater chemical concentrations. If the well casing is found to <br /> extend below the current water table depth, PG&E will determine, in consultation with DISC, an appropriate <br /> method of collecting a representative groundwater sample by drilling a boring adjacent to the abandoned <br /> wells and collecting a grab groundwater sample. <br /> 2)The annulus between blank casings and the borehole walls above groundwater may not be or are not likely <br /> properly sealed since these wells are very old. Properly sealing the vadose zone is important to prevent a <br /> conduit for contamination to flow to groundwater along the annulus between the well casing and the borehole <br /> wall. <br /> Recommendation: Perforate casing above groundwater prior to pressure grouting to ensure that a conduit is <br /> not present that could allow contamination to flow to groundwater. Perforating casing could consist of four one <br /> inch cuts around a casing for every one foot. Pressure grouting should be performed to ensure that an <br /> adequate amount of grout is placed into the space between the casing and borehole walls. <br /> Response: Wells will be perforated at four points for every one foot starting above groundwater, if <br /> encountered, to the top of the well casing. If groundwater is not encountered, wells will be perforated at four <br /> points for every one foot from the bottom to the top of the well casing. <br /> 3)Since the wells are old it is possible that screened portions of the wells are filled with sediment or other <br /> material. If the well screens are long then it is possible that they cross aquitards. <br /> Recommendation: Perforate screened portions of the well casings prior to pressure grouting to ensure that a <br /> sufficient seal is placed between the screened sections of the wells and the borehole walls. <br /> Response: Wells will be perforated at four points for every one foot starting above groundwater, if <br /> encountered, to the top of the well casing. If groundwater is not encountered, wells will be perforated at four <br /> points for every one foot from the bottom to the top of the well casing. <br />