When it’s time to put a well out of commission, you cannot simply abandon it. The best solution is to work with a well drilling contractor to decommission the well. The team at Conyers Well Service performs this service for property owners in and around Dimmitt, TX. They’ve explained below what you should know about the process if you’ve found an abandoned well on your property or are planning to abandon one.

A Well Drilling Contractor Guide to Decommissioning Wells

Why It’s Necessary

Abandoned wells, or wells that have not been used for six consecutive months, are an issue for personal safety and groundwater contamination. If they are not properly capped, people or animals can fall into them. Even if they are capped, the cap weakens over time and eventually someone—or something—that steps on top of the cap could fall through it. They can also lead to contamination of the water source, as the well provides a direct route to the aquifer below the surface. As the property owner, you would be responsible for any injuries or contamination that result from an abandoned well.

How It’s Done

A contractor will determine the depth of your well and the height of the standing water inside it. Then they’ll remove all obstructing materials from the well, such as the pump, floating debris, and any plumbing. The contractor will disinfect the well to kill any microorganisms living inside before removing as much casing from the well as possible and filling it with plugging materials. Following with state regulation, they will submit a well plugging report within 30 days of the procedure to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Decommissioning a well is a complex process that requires an understanding of local regulations, the well itself, and the soil. However, your well drilling contractor at Conyers Well Service can handle the entire process for you. Contact them at (806) 647-3215 to request a free estimate for your well plugging. They also offer a range of other water well services for any other project needs you have, from new well installation to pump repair.