Wyo. Code R. 037-0009-4
Effective Date: 03/05/1974 to 04/06/2010
Rule Type: Superceded Rules & Regulations
Reference Number: 037.0009.4.03051974
Section 1. Protection During Construction. During any well construction or modification, the well and surrounding area must be adequately protected to prevent any ground water contamination, Surface water must be diverted away from the construction area.
Section 2. Construction of Dug Wells -- Standard Type.
a, Every dug well, other than the buried slab type, shall be constructed with a substantial watertight surface curbing of concrete, brick, tile or metal, extending from the aquifer to above the ground surface, (See Figure 1A on page 15.) Concrete grout, at least 6 inches thick, shall be placed between the excavated hole and the curbing for a minimum depth of 10 feet or to the bottom of the hole, whichever is less,
b, The well lining in the producing zone shall readily admit water, and shall be structurally sound to withstand external pressures.
c. The well cover or platform shall be watertight reinforced concrete with a minimum thickness of 4 inches, The top of the platform shall be sloped to drain to 011 sides. The platform shall rest on and overlap the well curbing by at least 2 inches, or it may be cast with the curbing or with the concrete grout. Adequately-sized pipe sleeve or sleeves shall be cast in place in the platform to accommodate the type of pump, pump piping or wiring proposed for the well, (See Figure 1A on page 15.)
Section 3. Construction of Dug Wells -- Buried Slab Type. A buried slab type of construction may be used if the dug well is greater than 10 feet deep, (See Figure IB on page 15.) The well lining shall be terminated a minimum of 10 feet below the original ground surface, A steel reinforced concrete slab or platform, at least 4 inches thick, shall rest on and overlap the lining, A standard unperforated well casing shall extend from the concrete slab to at least 12 inches (1 foot) above the original ground surface, This casing shall be firmly imbedded In the slab or connected to a pipe cast In the slab to insure that the connection is watertight, The excavation above the slab shall be back-filled with a bentonite slurry or clean earth thoroughly tamped to minimize settling,
Section 4. Construction of Drilled, Driven, Jetted, or Bored Wells.
a. A drilled well may be constructed through an existing dug well provided that unperforated casing extends to at least 12 inches (1 foot) above the original ground surface, A seal of concrete, at least 2 feet thick, shall be placed in the bottom of the dug well so as to prevent the direct movement of water from the dug well into the drilled well, The original dug well shall be adequately protected from contamination as described above, The drilled well shall be completed as described below, b. Every drilled, driven, jetted, or bored well shall have an unperforated casing that extends from a minimum of 12 inches (1 foot) above ground surface to at least 1/2 feet below ground surface. In unconsolidated formations, this casing shall extend to the water table or below, (See Figure 2A of page 16.) In consolidated formations, the casing may be terminated in rock or watertight clay above the water table, (See Figure 2B on page 16.)
c. Casing, liners, and screens shall be of new or new-like material, free of pits and breaks. Casing shall be of adequate strength and durability to protect the well against structural failures during construction and against entrance of pollutants during the expected life of the well. Casing shall be corrosion resistant to water from inside and outside the casing. Used oil field casing is acceptable only if it is clean and in good condition. Plastic or other nonmetal casing may be used when it is of the nontoxic type and has the physical properties to withstand the torque and load to which it is subjected.
d. All joints connecting casing shall be watertight. Metal pipe must be welded or joined with threaded couplings. Plastic pipe may be glued using pipe couplers, provided that the seals are watertight and durable.
e. If a reduction in casing diameter is made, there shall be adequate overlap of the casing to prevent misalignment and to prevent the movement of unstable sediment into the well. Where needed to prevent the migration of mineralized, polluted, or otherwise inferior quality water, lead or neoprene packers shall be installed so as to seal the annular space between casings.
f. Well casing shall be sealed to prevent the possible downward movement of polluted surface water or the upward movement of artesian water through the annular space around the well casing. Sealing also shall be used to prevent the movement of inferior quality water either upward or downward from zones that have been cased out of the well. (See Figures 2 and 4 on pages 16 and 18.)
g. In a well drilled to an aquifer overlain by unconsolidated formations consisting of sand or sand and gravel, unperforated casing shall extend at least to the water table. The annular opening around the casing shall be filled with neat cement grout or concrete grout to a depth of at least 10 feet. All grout shall be flushed or tamped into place in such a manner as to minimize voids. (See Figure 2B on page 16.) Isolated stock water wells may be sealed with bentonite slurry or heavy drilling mud in place of cement grout or concrete.
h. Wells drilled into or through glacial materials in which the sealing procedure above will not adequately protect the well and the ground water supply from contamination, shall be completed by alternate methods that will insure the required protection.
i. In a well drilled into an aquifer overlain by unconsolidated formations containing appreciable watertight clay layers, unperforated casing shall extend to and be driven at least 5 feet into a clay layer overlying the aquifer. The ~nular space around the casing shall be filled with cement grout or ~crete to the impervious zone or for 10 feet, whichever distance is greater. Isolated stock water wells may be sealed with bentonite slurry or heavy drilling mud in place of cement grout or concrete.
j. In a well drilled into an aquifer overlain by consolidated formations, unperforated casing shall be installed so that it extends into the consolidated formation or for 10 feet, whichever distance is greater. The bottom of the casing shall be sealed into the rock with neat cement or concrete grout. (See Figure 2B on page 16.) Isolated stock water wells may be sealed with bentonite slurry or heavy drilling mud in place of cement grout or concrete,
k. Where a pitless adaptor unit is to be installed in a well, the concrete or cement grout must extend from a minimum of 10 feet below the ground surface to just below the base of the pitless adaptor. After installation of the pitless unit, the area around the casing shall be backfilled to ground level with clean earth, bentonite slurry, or cement grout.
Section 5. Water Level or Pressure Measuring Device Required. Every well greater than 4 inches in diameter shall be equipped with an access port, not less than 3/4 inch in diameter, that will allow for the measurement of the depth to the water surface; or in the case of a flowing artesian well, with a pressure gauge that will indicate shut-in pressure. (See Figure 5 on page 19.) Nonflowing domestic and stock wells that are to be equipped with a sanitary well seal with a built-in access port, are exempt from this requirement. An air line is not a satisfactory substitution for an access port.
Section 6. Discharge Measuring Device Required. Every municipal, industrial, irrigation and miscellaneous well shall be equipped with at least one of the following types of measuring devices:
a. Open Discharge Systems, (1) A meter capable of measuring the total well discharge, (2) An opening in the system where the total well discharge can be measured, b. Pressurized Discharge Systems, (1) A meter capable of measuring the total well discharge, (2) An access port readily accessible from the ground surface and located in such a manner that no constrictions, elbows, etc., are present for a distance of at least eight (8) pipe diameters immediately before and also after the access port, (Example: A 6inch diameter pipe would require 48 linear inches free from elbows, constrictions, etc., immediately before and after the point of installation). The construction of the access port shall be as follows:
(a) Determine point of installation, NOTE: Remember distance requirements,
(b) Weld or braze a 3/4 inch internally threaded pipe coupling or other suitable fixture to the outside of the discharge pipe. The threads must be standard, tapered pipe threads,
(c) The portion of the discharge pipe enclosed by the coupling or other fixture shall then be removed with an acetylene torch or some other appropriate device, in such a manner so as to allow the insertion of a 1/2 inch measuring device into the discharge pipe.
(d) The access port shall then be closed with a 3/4 inch removable, internal plug until such time as discharge measurements are made,
NOTE: Any questions regarding specifications for access port installation are to be directed to the Ground Water Section, State Engineer's Office, State Office Building, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82002,