Abandonment Services

Most of the focus in our industry is put on drilling new wells, but properly decommissioning existing wells is crucial to the safety of residents and the preservation of groundwater resources.   In SC, The Department of Health and Environmental Control  (SCDHEC) regulates the decommissioning, or abandonment, of wells.  This includes wells such as residential supply, hand dug, well points, and monitoring wells.

Here are some important things to consider when decommissioning your well:

• Records – A SCDHEC-approved well record must be obtained prior to decommissioning.  If you do not have a copy you, or your driller, can request one from the state.
• Non-recorded wells – In these instances, the driller must collect measurements on the total depth, casing depth, and well diameter and submit to the state with a request for authorization.  The state then provides authorization to the driller to close the well.
• License – All work must be performed under direct on-site supervision of licensed A designated well driller.
• Process – Typically the driller mobilizes to the well location, removes any pumping equipment, ensures it is otherwise clear of any obstructions, and fills with a cement/Bentonite/gravel grout mixture.
• Reporting – After work is completed the licensed driller will submit a 1903 Report to SCDHEC for approval.

Here are a few examples of well abandonment projects we have recently completed.

• Monitoring Wells – 12 were abandoned prior to planned remedial excavation.
• Industrial – Two large production wells with 500+ gpm capacity were abandoned.  Pumps were removed from each prior to filling.
• Hand dug – A licensed driller was provided to guide and oversee the decommissioning of a hand dug well after JPA drilled a replacement well at the property.
• Residential – Authorization was requested and obtained to decommission a non-recorded well after we drilled a replacement.  The well characteristics were measured and submitted to the state along with a proposal for abandonment.  Once authorization was obtained the work proceeded with pump removal and pressure tremie grouting.

As you can see we abandon wells of all classes and sizes.  If you need more information on well decommissioning please do not hesitate to contact us.

J.P. Anderson Well & Pump LLC is a leading drilling contractor providing water well drilling services to the greater Charleston area.  For more information call us at 843-810-4045.