The Risks of Unused Wells:
Drinking water wells, by nature, provide direct pathways to groundwater drinking supplies. Unfortunately, wherever there is a direct channel to a groundwater supply, there also exists the opportunity for contaminants – including bacteria, fertilizers, and pesticides– to enter groundwater sources. Unused and improperly abandoned wells that are not maintained or inspected for infrastructure damage provide a much higher risk for contaminants to enter the groundwater and, in turn, make it unsafe to drink.
Importantly, abandoned, unsealed wells also pose a physical safety hazard by creating a tripping, or even a falling risk, depending on the type of well. In some cases, this has resulted in serious injury or death to animals, children, and adults alike.
When To Decomission a Well:
In Ontario, wells that are no longer in use and are not being maintained for future use must be decommissioned (i.e. plugged and sealed) by law under Regulation 903 (the “Wells Regulation”) of the Ontario Water Resources Act. Specifically, wells must legally be decommissioned in the following cases:
- The well is no longer used; has been abandoned and/or replaced by a newer well; is not maintained for future use.
- The well is dry (i.e. doe not produce water).
- Construction of the wee ceased prior to completion.
- The well was not properly constructed as required by law.
- The well produces mineralized water or water that is not potable.
- The well contains natural gas.
- The well allows for the movement of gases, contaminants, and/or other harmful materials.
It is important to note that wells producing mineralized or non-potable water do not need to be abandoned and decommissioned if the well is actively used for agricultural purposes (irrigation or for livestock) and is not used for human consumption.
How to Spot an Old Well on Your Property:
In some cases, property owners might be unaware that there is an old well on their property from a previous owner that was never properly decommissioned. For the safety of yourself and your family, as well as others who share the same groundwater source for their well water, always inspect your property for the following signs:
- The presence of an additional well that does not supply your household or drinking water.
- A well pipe/the presence of an unidentified pipe protruding from the ground.
- An unidentified concrete slab ( a hand pump may or may not be present).
- An unidentified wooden slab.
- A site of flowing water from the ground and/or a consistently wet areas on your property.
- An unnatural depression on the ground.
- An old shed (this could be an old pump house).
- An unidentified ring of rocks or bricks.
How to Decomission a Well:
If you are required to decomission a well on your property, you must hire a licensed technician, who is specifically licensed to construct the class of well that needs to be decommissioned. Abandoned wells must – by law– be properly and safely sealed by a qualified professional to avoid drinking water contamination as well as reduce safety hazards for property users. Following sealing, the area around the well that has been disturbed by both well construction and decommissioning processes must also be stabilized in order to prevent future erosion.
Once the well has been properly sealed, the well owner must complete and send a completed well record to the owner of land (if a different person) within fourteen (14) days. The well owner must also send this well record to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks within thirty (30) days.
Additional Resources:
1. Ontario Ground Water Association: https://ogwa.ca/
2. Conservation Ontario:
SWP Education & Outreach - Wells Abandonment and Testing
https://conservationontario.ca/resources?tx_fefiles_files%5Baction%5D=show&tx_fefiles_files%5Bcontroller%5D=File&tx_fefiles_files%5Bfile%5D=392&cHash=a955bfb1baeaed919782b2520abe4faa
3. Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks:
i. Wells Regulation – Well Abandonment: How to Plug and Seal a Well (technical bulletin)
https://www.ontario.ca/page/wells-regulation-well-abandonment-how-plug-and-seal-well-technical-bulletin
ii. Well Records: https://www.ontario.ca/page/well-records#section-2