What should you do if you have a water well on your property that you no longer need? The answer is simple: abandon it! Abandoning a well consists of removing the equipment, if any,  from the well and plugging the hole from the bottom to the top ground surface. Properly abandoning a well in accordance with State rules helps to maintain the integrity of the groundwater resources we rely on and remove potential safety hazards.

Why should you abandon your old well, it’s not harming anyone, right? An unused well can pose multiple hazards that property owners should be aware of. Old wells, especially hand dug wells, can be an unassuming danger as people and animals can be at hazard of falling into them. Every year multiple news articles are published detailing harrowing rescues of people and pets from wells. Additionally, wells can pose contamination hazards to the groundwater source below if left unused and not maintained. This can pose a serious hazard to your property or health if contaminates are able to enter the groundwater source and possibly your primary well. By properly abandoning unused wells, you eliminate these dangers and also protect this precious resource.

Another reason you may need to abandon a well on your property is for land-use planning. For example, a well might be situated within the setback area of a future septic field or planned home site, making it necessary to discontinue its use. Additionally, wells may be abandoned if they are no longer in use, or previously run dry, or contain unwanted water quality issues.

How should you properly abandon your well? Your first step is to contact a licensed well driller who is knowledgeable and experienced in well drilling and abandonment. They will understand the State’s regulations and will advise you on how your well can be abandoned. They will discuss materials needed, necessary equipment, abandonment method, or special approvals that may be needed.

Who should you call to abandon your well? Clouser Drilling is your go-to expert! We possess the necessary knowledge, extensive experience, and state-of-the-art equipment to handle your abandonment. Whether your well poses a hazard, has run dry, or needs to be removed for future land use, Clouser Drilling has the capability to ensure the job is done safely and correctly. Call us for a free estimate today! Proudly serving Southern Oregon and Northern California since 1971.