With new efforts by many agencies and increasing interest by individuals, the abandoned wells in Nebraska can be plugged to protect water quality and prevent the possible loss of human life. The Nebraska Water Well Standards and Contractors' Licensing Act requires that abandoned wells be plugged. The Department of Health has developed regulations to guide the plugging of abandoned wells. Removal of any necessary operating equipment or a well which is in such a state of disrepair that continual use for the purpose for which it was constructed is impractical shall constitute evidence of abandonment. The regulations developed by the Department of Health outline the procedures and materials that are to be used for plugging abandoned wells.
Property owners can plug wells on their property.
However, anyone hired to plug a well must be a licensed water well contractor or pump installer. Plugging Procedures Before beginning the plugging operation you need to gather some information on the construction of the well and the geological setting in which the well is located. If the well is drilled through a confining layer that separates two different aquifers, some special procedures must be used. Information on the geology of the area may be difficult to determine, but possible sources include the original well drillers log, the well registration filed with the Department of Water Resources for some wells, well drillers familiar with the area, or the University of Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division. Remove all pumps, piping and any other obstructions from the well.