Current regulations for private (Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3701-28-07) and public water supply wells (OAC 3745-9-10) require that boreholes not converted into wells, and wells not being used to obtain water or provide information on quantity or quality be sealed.
The authority for enforcement for public water supplies is the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Division of Drinking and Ground Water. The Ohio Department of Health and the local health departments have authority for enforcement for private wells.
Sealing of an abandoned well must be documented per the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 1521.05 (B). A well sealing report must be submitted to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water. A well sealing form can be requested from ODNR by calling 614-265-6739. For private wells, the local health department should be contacted when an abandoned well is going to be sealed.
Selected portions of the Ohio Department of Health's Private Water System Rules Chapter 3701-28
3701-28-01.
Definitions
(DD)"Grout" means the materials set forth in or approved under paragraph (I) of rule 3701-28-07 of the Administrative Code.
(DDD) "Sealing" means to close a well, cistern or hauled water storage tank or to close a portion of a well or the annular space of a well.
3701-28-07 Procedures for the sealing of private water systems
(A) Upon completion of testing, a test hole shall either be permanently sealed or converted into a well,...
(B) All wells that are not in service shall either be sealed in accordance with this rule and rule 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code or maintained in strict compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter.
(C) All dry holes shall be sealed in accordance with the provisions of this rule and rule 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code.
(E) A well taken out of service when a replacement private water system or a public water supply system is installed shall be sealed pursuant to the provisions of this rule and rule 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code within thirty days, unless the well owner demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the well will not cause or contribute to contamination of the ground water supply...
(F) Except as provided in paragraph (G) of this rule, the owner of property on which a permanently out of service well is located shall be responsible for sealing the well or bringing the well into compliance.
(I) In accordance with the requirements of rule 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code and appendix A of this rule one of the following materials shall be used for sealing wells and dry holes
1. Cement grouts that meet current ASTM standard C150 and NSF standard 60.
2. Bentonite based grouts which meet NSF standard 60.
3. Clean clay, sand, or gravel when used in accordance with rule 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code.
4. Any other material determined by the Director to have permeability and sealing characteristics sufficient to protect ground water and public health.
Selected portions of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Water Well Standards, OAC 3745-9
3745-9-01. Definitions
(H) "Grout" means a slurry of cement, clay or other material impervious to and capable of preventing movement of water.
3745-9-10. Abandonment of test holes and wells
(A) Upon completion of testing, a test hole shall be either completely filled with grout or such other material as will prevent contaminants from entering ground water, or converted into a well,...
(B) If a well containing walls is not being used for obtaining ground water or for determining the quality, quantity, or level of ground water, such well shall either be completely filled with grout or such other material as will prevent contaminants from entering the ground water or maintained...
(C) All wells not governed by (B) above and which are being used neither for obtaining ground water nor for determining the quality, quantity, or level of ground water shall be either completely filled with grout, or maintained...
For more information please contact:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Water
2045 Morse Road, Bldg. B
Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693
Phone: (614) 265-6740
Fax: (614) 447-9503
E-mail: water@dnr.state.oh.us