If you have a well on your Nevada property that has dried up or is unusable for any other reason, you must seal it.  Leaving a well open creates health and safety issues that can affect your whole family. Here, review what your local drilling contractor wants you to know about abandonment procedures in the Silver State.

What to Know About Well Abandonment In Nevada

Why should I plug my old well?

If an abandoned well is left open, it creates a hazard that can trap and severely harm children, pets, and wild animals. Even adults can trip and fall over the well and sustain serious injuries. If someone gets injured on your property because of an unsealed well, they can sue you for liability purposes.

Open but unused wells also allow a wide variety of contaminants to enter and possibly pollute groundwater sources, including fertilizer, motor oil, livestock waste, pesticides, paint, and other chemicals. They also provide sources for illegal dumping.

How do I know if my property contains an abandoned well?

Contact the previous owner of the property or your neighbors for information. If they are not available or unsure, make inquiries with the property’s well drilling contractor and government agencies such as the State Division of Water Resources and Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology. Old fire insurance plans and photos can also provide answers.

How does the sealing process work?

Well drilling contractors seal wells in light of state regulations. For example, they must remove the pump and debris first, making sure to use non-contaminated fill afterward. Plugging and capping practices vary depending on the type of well and whether it is dry or not.

If the well features artesian water or water flowing at the surface, the liquid must be contained. The well should be sealed using cement grout, concrete grout, or neat cement. The selected material requires installation in a tremie pipe that extends upward from the bottom of the well to the surface.

What benefits does sealing a well provide?

In addition to making your property safer by eliminating dangerous holes, well sealing also contributes to landscape stability. Preserving groundwater helps you reduce your carbon footprint while improving the property value when you want to sell. Open wells can deter home buyers or cause them to renegotiate the selling price. 

If you need a new well drilled, contact Rosenlund Drilling LLC. The well drilling contractors provide residents throughout Elko, Nevada with a comprehensive range of services, including well pump installation and repair, and water testing and analyses. Call (775) 753-7960 today to make an appointment or learn more about their drilling services online.