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Wells used as private water systems shall be constructed to comply with the requirements of this rule.
(A) Drive points or jetting methods shall only be used to construct a well when geologic conditions preclude the use of conventional drilling methods, such as cable tool, driven casing hammer, and air and mud rotary. For purposes of this rule drive point or jetting method means a small diameter well less than three inches in diameter that is installed by manually or mechanically driving the casing into the ground.
(B) A well shall contain permanent casing that meets the requirements of paragraph (B) of rule 3701-28-111 of the Administrative Code.
(1) Except when drive points or jetting methods are used in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule and as provided in this paragraph, the nominal pipe size of permanent casing shall be a minimum of five inches and sized to allow the well to produce water that is adequate for the intended use, and to allow for the installation and maintenance of the well and related pumping equipment. Where liner pipe must be used to repair or replace the permanent casing, used to maintain an open borehole in incompetent formations, or used to seal off contaminated or poor water quality formations, a nominal pipe size of less than five inches may be used.
(2) The top twenty-five feet of casing shall not be used as a suction line unless the well casing is protected by a standard weight or heavier outer casing.
(3) The casing shall be sufficiently straight and vertical to allow the normal installation and operation of the pump.
(4) All casing joints shall be watertight. Casing shall extend continuously to the top of the aquifer being used for water supply or to the top of the non-water bearing formations above an aquifer. Except as provided in rule 3701-28-121 of the Administrative Code, the casing shall not extend less than twenty-five feet below the natural ground surface.
(5) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (B)(4) of this rule, if nonpotable water is encountered:
(a) Above an aquifer containing potable water, the casing shall extend to the bottom of the aquifer containing the nonpotable water, or as deep as necessary to prevent the nonpotable water from entering the aquifer containing potable water;
(b) Below an aquifer containing potable water, the lower portion of the well shall be filled with cement grout or bentonite grout, to a height sufficient to prevent entrance of nonpotable water into the aquifer containing potable water.
(C) All annular spaces shall be completely filled, with grout from the bottom of the annular space or top of the filter pack or formation stabilizer upward to the ground surface and in accordance with the following requirements:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in rule 3701-28-121 of the Administrative Code the annular space in all wells shall be filled with grout.
(2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (D), (E), (F) and (G) of this rule, and rule 3701-28-121 of the Administrative Code cement grout or bentonite grout shall be placed in the annular space of all wells by pressure grouting.
(3) Grout shall extend continuously at least twenty-five feet in depth.
(4) When pressure grouting is required, the grout shall be placed in the annular space in a continuous operation without interruption until the cement or bentonite grout of approximately the same density as the grout being placed into the borehole is coming out of the annular space.
(5) The annular space between a permanent casing and temporary casing shall be filled with grout during temporary casing removal.
(6) If the casing is not driven and the drilling method requires the drilling of an oversized borehole, the total annular space shall be a minimum of one inch per side for wells less than or equal to fourteen inches in diameter, and a minimum of two inches per side for wells greater than fourteen inches in diameter. For purposes of this rule, the annular space shall be measured between the side of the excavation and the coupling or outside diameter of the casing, whichever is less.
(7) The total volume of sealing materials used shall be within five per cent of the total volume of the annular space. The following table lists total hole volume based on well diameter and depth. If settling of the grout occurs, then additional grout shall be placed into the remaining void space.
Volume of annular space between casing and borehole
*
Nominal Borehole size Volume per foot of well depth
Pipe size
(Inches) (Inches) (Cubic feet) (Gallons)
5 (5.563 OD) 8 0.18 1.38
5 9 0.28 2.07
6 (6.625 OD) 9 0.20 1.51
6 10 0.31 2.29
8 (8.625 OD) 11 0.25 1.90
8 12 0.38 2.84
10 (10.75 OD) 13 0.29 2.18
10 14 0.44 3.28
12 (12.75 OD) 16 0.51 3.81
14 (14.0 OD) 18 0.70 16.86
16 (16.0 OD) 20 0.79 5.87
(D) Cement grout may be placed into the annular space of a well using the conductor pipe gravity method where the annular space is greater than or equal to two inches per side, no greater than fifty feet in depth, and where there is a minimal amount of water in the borehole. For purposes of this rule, the “conductor pipe gravity” method means allowing cement to flow by gravity through a funnel or hopper connected to a conductor pipe. The conductor pipe shall be lowered to the bottom of the annular space to be grouted and the grout placed from the bottom up with the conductor pipe submerged at all times.
(E) Coarse grade or pelletized bentonite may be poured into the annular space where the annular space is greater than or equal to two inches per side, no greater than fifty feet in depth, and where there is a minimal amount of water in the borehole.
(F) Coarse grade bentonite may be poured into the annular space between a permanent casing and temporary casing during temporary casing removal.
(G) A well that is constructed using a cable tool, driven casing hammer or any other method where the permanent casing is driven, and where temporary outer casing or an oversized borehole is not used, a collar flared joint or well bead shall extend beyond the outside diameter of the permanent casing and dry granular bentonite shall be poured around the permanent casing as it is being driven.
(H) Filter packs or formation stabilizers used in wells completed in unconsolidated or incompetent formations shall be placed in accordance with the following specifications:
(1) Filter pack or formation stabilizer material shall extend a minimum of two feet above the screen for wells less than or equal to six inches in diameter, or a minimum of four feet above the screen for wells greater than six inches in diameter.
(2) The filter pack or formation stabilizer should be no less than three inches thick and no more than eight inches thick to facilitate proper well development.
(I) Well screens that meet the specifications described in paragraph (F) of rule 3701-28-111 of the Administrative Code shall be installed in wells completed in unconsolidated or incompetent formations, unless geologic formation conditions prevent their use. Screens that are installed using telescoping methods shall be attached either directly to the bottom of the casing, or to a packer that meets the specification described in paragraph (H) of rule 3701-28-111 of the Administrative Code.
(J) All wells shall be equipped with a pitless adapter or pitless unit that provides for the prevention of the entrance of surface water, dirt, animals, insects, or other foreign matter. The director shall approve all pitless adapters and pitless units and installation procedures for use in above and below ground installations if the director determines that the pitless adapter or pitless unit and installation procedures adequately prevent the entrance of surface water, dirt, animals, insects, or other foreign matter.
(1) A connection to a well casing that is made above ground shall be protected by a pitless unit installed at least twelve inches above the ground surface through one of the following methods:
(a) A threaded connection;
(b) A welded connection;
(c) A rubber expansion sealer;
(d) Bolted flanges with rubber gaskets;
(e) A weather-tight vermin proof cap;
(f) Extension of the casing at least one inch into the base of a power pump mounted on and sealed to a concrete pedestal; or
(g) When the steel well casing pipe is not terminated at the desired depth for the installation of an approved pitless unit, the well casing pipe shall be cut off at the desired height, and the pitless unit may be welded or threaded and coupled to the top of the well casing pipe by one of the following methods:
(i) Cutting of the well casing pipe squarely, providing a bevel for the top of the well casing pipe and welding the beveled end of the unit to the beveled end of the well casing pipe.
(ii) Welding a pipe nipple having threads at one end and beveled on the other end to the cut off top beveled end of the well casing pipe and threading a full length standard recessed coupling watertight to the threaded end of the unit and to the nipple. The top of the well casing pipe and the bottom of the pipe nipple to be welded shall both have beveled ends. If the pitless unit has female threads, the unit may be threaded watertight to the threaded end of the pipe nipple.
(iii) Reaming out the threads of a full standard recessed coupling at least one-third the length of the coupling, and welding the coupling to the top of the cut off well casing pipe.
(h) The inside diameter of the pitless unit shall not be smaller than the inside diameter of the casing.
(2) A connection to a well casing that is made below the ground or less than twelve inches above the ground surface shall be protected by a pitless adapter that meets the following requirements.
(a) Approved pitless adapter units shall be connected by welding, bolting or clamping as required by the type of unit and the manufacturer. Any hole constructed into the side of the casing for access by the pitless adapter shall be of the size and dimension as required by the manufacturer, and shall be made using a hole saw or a cutting torch using a cutting guide.
(b) No part of a pitless adapter may extend into the inside diameter of a well casing so that setting or removal of the pump, pump piping or drop pipe, or the use of tools for well rehabilitation or chlorination is impeded for wells greater than or equal to a nominal pipe size of five inches. All parts of the pitless adapter within the interior of the casing shall be removable through the top of the well casing and shall provide complete clearance within the internal diameter of the well casing for wells equal to or less than four inches in diameter.
(c) Where approved pitless adapters are installed by clamping on thermoplastic casing with deep pump installations and low static water levels, a backing plate, wide steel strap or casting shall be installed to protect the integrity of the thermoplastic casing at the point of the pitless adapter connection.
(d) Upon installation of the pitless adapter, the excavation surrounding the casing and pitless adapter shall be filled with cement or bentonite grout.
(3) Pitless adapter or pitless unit connections to thermoplastic pipe shall meet the following requirements:
(a) Steel well casing pipe extensions, pitless units or pitless adapters shall not be welded after they are attached to thermoplastic well casing. The thermoplastic coupling shall be threaded onto the pitless unit before it is solvent cemented to the top of the casing.
(b) Threaded connections shall only be used on pitless units or pitless adapters after attachment to the well casing pipe.
(4) Except as provided in paragraph (J)(6) of this rule and paragraph (E) of rule 3701-28-02 of the Administrative Code the well casing height above finished grade shall be a minimum of twelve inches.
(5) The top of the casing at its finished height shall be cut so that the surface will fit flush with the well cap and provide a tight seal. All well caps and seals shall fit securely to the top of the well casing to provide a weather tight seal to prevent the entrance of insects, be secured with screws or other appropriate connections, and vented to the atmosphere. Electrical conduit connections on well caps or seals shall be threaded and sealed at the bottom to prevent the entrance of insects and water.
(6) Wells located in a one-hundred year flood plain shall have watertight caps with either the casing extending a minimum of three feet above the one-hundred year flood elevation or the vent, or shall be equipped with self-sealing type vents that seal upon inundation by water.
(K) A room housing pumping equipment shall:
(1) Allow access for maintenance, alteration, removal and repair of the private water system components.
(2) Be constructed above the ground surface, except if the room is constructed as a basement, a basement offset, crawl space or buried vault that does not accumulate water.
(L) Pump construction, installation, design and maintenance shall comply with the following:
(1) A pump shall be constructed so that there are no unprotected openings into the interior of the pump or well casing.
(2) If a power driven pump is used it shall be attached to the casing or approved suction or discharge line by a watertight connection or shall have an approved base plate.
(3) Any plastic pump drop pipes used shall be in compliance with material requirements for pipe as required under rule 3701-28-16 of the Administrative Code.
(4) Any submersible pump motor lubricants and vertical turbine shaft lubricants used shall be United States drug administration (USDA) or food and drug administration (FDA) approved food contact grade formulations or ANSI/NSF standard sixty-one.
(5) Only potable water shall be used for priming pumps.
(M) The installation of hand pumps shall comply with the following:
(1) A hand pump, hand pump head, hand pump stand or similar devices shall be constructed in accordance with paragraph (L) of this rule and provide for venting as required under paragraph (P)(1) of this rule, and shall have a closed downward directed spout and a sealed pump rod packing assembly.
(2) A hand pump shall be attached to a steel well casing or standpipe by a sealed flange or other method approved by the director as adequately preventing the entrance of surface water, dirt, animals, insects, or other foreign matter. The flange shall be not less than twelve inches above a concrete slab or the ground surface. Any annular space between a standpipe and well casing shall be sealed in accordance with paragraph (C) of this rule.
(3) Where a well casing functions as a hand pump cylinder wall, the plunger shall be not less than twenty-five feet below the ground surface. A casing wall weep hole is not permitted.
(N) Water suction lines shall be constructed to meet the following requirements:
(1) The water suction line shall be constructed of copper, galvanized steel, plastic pipe or other material that meets NSF standard sixty-one.
(2) A water suction line that is outside the well casing shall be protected by one or more of the following methods:
(a) Fully exposing the line and by situating the line not less than twelve inches above the floor of a basement, basement offset, or pump room.
(b) Fully exposing the line above the ground surface.
(c) Situating the line within an outer pipe with the space between the line and the outer pipe filled with water from the system and maintained at system pressure.
(d) Use of polyethylene 3408 pressure rated potable water pipe.
(O) Pressure tanks installed for private water systems shall meet the following requirements:
(1) A pressure tank shall be installed in a basement, basement offset, pump room, crawl space, or buried vault on the property of the well owner if approved by the director pursuant to paragraph (O)(2) of this rule.
(2) Pressure tanks shall not be buried, unless the unit has been approved, in writing, by the director as adequately designed for such use with manufacturer specifications for its installation as a buried pressure tank and the department has determined that space for above ground installation is limited.
(3) Pressure tanks shall have a pressure relief valve.
(4) Pressure tanks shall meet NSF standard sixty-one.
(P) The installation of vents shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) A casing vent shall be provided on all well caps and seals except for those used on deep well single pipe packer jet installations or on flowing wells where the flow rate is greater than the pumping rate of the permanent pump.
(2) A vent shall be self-draining, screened with a non-corroding mesh screen of fifteen to thirty mesh, pointed downward, and terminate not less than twelve inches above the ground surface or above the floor of a basement, basement offset, pump room, or at a point not less than three feet above the elevation of a one-hundred year flood plain.
(3) For casing with inside diameters equal to or less than six inches, the total vent surface area shall be no less than seventy-five hundredths of an inch in diameter. For casing with inside diameters greater than six inches. The total vent surface area shall be no less than one inch in diameter.
(Q) The maintenance and modification of wells shall comply with the following:
(1) Casings and tops of wells shall be protected against contamination at all times.
(2) If a casing deteriorates to such an extent that contamination may occur and the well cannot be repaired, new casing that meets the requirements of paragraph (B) of this rule shall be installed, or the well shall be sealed in accordance with rules 3701-28-07 and 3701-28-071 of the Administrative Code.
(3) If any part of the pump or any connection malfunctions or becomes defective in such a fashion that contamination may occur, the pump or connection shall be promptly repaired or replaced as necessary to prevent contamination.
(4) If casing is installed in a previously constructed well for any purpose, the casing shall meet the requirements of paragraph (B) of this rule.
R.C. 119.032 review dates: 12/23/2004 and 11/15/2009
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 3701.344
Rule Amplifies: 3701.344
Prior Effective Dates: 1/1/1981, 1/1/2000