Abandoned Wells
An abandoned well can pose a health and safety hazard, and become a potential
route for groundwater contamination if sealed improperly or not sealed
at all. Sealing abandoned wells not only satisfies legal requirements,
but it also aids in protecting groundwater, ensures safety, decreases
potential liability for the landowner, and aids in the aesthetic value
of the home. It is required, under the Illinois Water Well Construction
Code, that the owner of a water well, boring or monitoring well, must
properly seal the well within 30 days of abandonment or when it is no
longer used. Also, it is necessary that a licensed water well driller
seals an abandoned well unless the homeowner requests in writing to the
local health department or IDPH, describing specific procedures and materials
that comply with the well code. For more information on abandoned wells,
visit the following links:
- IDPH's fact sheet, Abandoned
Wells provides the legal requirements of properly sealing abandoned
wells in Illinois.
- University of Illinois Extension online publication, Sealing
Abandoned Wells explains the risks of abandoned wells, as well as
the guidelines on sealing them (4 pages, pdf.).
|
