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Unplugged abandoned wells
can threaten the quality of drinking water that is obtained from
privately owned and community public drinking water supply wells.
Plugging abandoned wells protects the drinking water aquifers that
supply nearly one-half of Michigan’s citizens. The City of Jackson and
Summit Township have joined forces to try and locate as many abandoned
wells as possible in the recharge area for the municipal wells and to
properly plug those wells at no cost to the property owner. It will be
necessary for representatives of the City and Township to contact the
residents within the recharge areas. Personnel from STS Consultants will
be working with the City of Jackson and Summit Township. They will be
making an effort to talk to everyone that has received a letter.
We have agreed to provide an incentive payment to each property owner in
this project. The incentive payment details will be explained to the
property owner by STS consultants. It is hoped that all residents that
have an abandoned well on their property will participate in our effort
to protect the communities’ water supply.
For more information contact the City of Jackson Department of Public
Services Department of Water Services (Jackson Water Department) at
(517) 788-4090 or Summit Township DPW at (517) 788-4113.
Eligible areas can be seen on the map located at the Jackson Water
Department offices 515 Water Street or at Summit Township offices at
2121 Ferguson Road or by
clicking
here:
Unplugged abandoned wells are a safety, health and environmental threat.
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They are a safety
hazard. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has
received reports of people, mostly children, falling into old wells.
Injury or death can result.
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3675_3689-7996--,00.html
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They pose a health
concern by acting as conduits for contaminants to move from the
surface, through the earth’s protective formations, into deeper
aquifers. Drinking water contamination has been caused by abandoned
wells.
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3675_3689-7993--,00.html
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They threaten the
environment and can degrade water quality. Deteriorated well casings
or open, uncased boreholes allow water to move between previously
separated aquifers. Abandoned wells have also been used for illegal
waste dumping.
This project will utilize
registered water well drilling contractors to plug abandoned wells. They
have the specialized training and equipment needed to do the job
properly.
If the property is connected to a municipal water system, what can be
done?
1. Properly Plug the Well.
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Properly plugging the
well is the preferred option. This will protect the drinking water
aquifer and limit the property owner’s liability for ground water
contamination.
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The Groundwater Quality
Control Act Part 127, 1978 PA 368 (state well code) requires that a
well that is abandoned when municipal water is installed be plugged.
2. Restore the well to
operating condition.
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To retain the existing
well for irrigation, car washing, or other uses, it must be restored
to operational condition.
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Plumbing changes are
required to physically separate the domestic municipal water piping
from the piping connected to the well.
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A cross connection
inspection and approval from the public water utility or local
health department is required when water service is initiated.
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Where existing well will
be used for nonpotable purposed, construction upgrades are
recommended, but not mandatory.
3. Retain the well for
future use. To be
classified as “temporary abandoned,” a well casing must be:
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Securely sealed with a
threaded, welded, or solvent welded cap to prevent access into the
well and eliminate openings into the well.
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In compliance with all
construction and isolation distance requirements.
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Physically disconnected
from any water distribution piping.
The property owner is
responsible for assuring that all abandoned wells on his or her property
are properly plugged. A property owner may plug a well only at his or
her residence. A registered water well drilling contractor or his or her
employee may plug a well at any residence, farm, industry, business, or
other public water supply.
Further information regarding locating, preparing wells for plugging,
and approved well plugging methods can be obtained from your county or
district health department or:
http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3675_3689---,00.html
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Water Bureau-Lansing Operations Division
Drinking Water & Environmental Health Section
Well Construction Unit
Abandoned Well Management Program
P.O. Box 30273
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7773
Phone: (517) 241-1377 Fax: (517) 241-1328
Website: www.michigan.gov/deq
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