WORK PLANS - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Need for Cathodic Protection Well Standards Cathodic protection wells,along with other types of wells,can allow ground water quality degradation to occur. Improperly constructed or destroyed cathodic protection wells can constitute a preferential pathway for the movement of poor-quality water, pollutants, and contaminants. Cathodic protection wells constructed with gravel backfill to land surface are particularly conducive to the movement of poor-quality water, pollutants, or contaminants. Water and electrolytes are sometimes introduced into cathodic protection wells through vent pipes,or gravel fill in the annulus, to keep wells functional where natural electrolytes are lacking. Such a practice could be considered "waste disposal" and may be illegal if poor-quality water is used. Permanently inactive cathodic protection wells pose a threat for the movement of poor-quality water, pollutants, and contaminants, and should be properly destroyed. Permanently inactive cathodic protection wells are a threat to ground water quality because they become dilapidated with time,are sometimes forgotten, and are sometimes used for waste disposal. Many cathodic protection wells have small diameter vent pipes that prevent entry by persons and most animals. However, large vent pipe sizes can pose a serious safety threat if left open at land surface. History of Cathodic Protection Well Standards The California Legislature enacted legislation in 1949 directing the California Department of Water Resources to develop recommended water-quality protection standards for the construction and destruction of wells. The Legislature amended the Water Code in 1968 to require standards for cathodic protection wells. Cathodic protection well standards for California were first published in 1973 as DWR Bulletin 74-1,Cathodic Protection Well Standards: State of California. Standards presented here replace those contained in Bulletin 74-1. Additional discussion on the history of well standards is contained in the "Introduction"section of this supplement (Bulletin 74-90) and Bulletin 74-81, Water Well Standards. State of California. Scope of Standards The following are recommended minimum standards for construction,alteration,maintenance,and destruction of cathodic protection wells in California. They only serve as minimum guidelines toward ensuring cathodic protection wells do not constitute a significant pathway for movement of poor-quality water, pollutants, and contaminants. These standards do not ensure a cathodic protection well will perform its corrosion protection ' function adequately. The functional requirements of cathodic protection wells may conflict with the application of certain standards for the protection of water quality. Consequently, some compromise has been made between well function and resource protection in the development of these standards. ' Organization of Standards These standards are arranged in a format similar to the Water Well Standards. Since many of the standards • that apply to water wells also apply to cathodic protection wells,many references are made in these standards to the Water Well Standards. Standards that apply only to cathodic protection wells or that require emphasis for cathodic protection wells, are discussed in detail in these standards. -63-