Florida Administrative Code › 40 - WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS › 40A - Northwest Florida Water Management District › Chapter 40A-3 - REGULATION OF WELLS › Part II - CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, AND ABANDONMENT STANDARDS › Section 40A-3.512 - Standard Well Construction Methods

Current through Reg. 50, No. 138; July 16, 2024
(1)
				  In the construction of a well, reasonable caution shall be taken to maintain
				  the premises in sanitary condition and to minimize the entrance of contaminants
				  into the water resource. Water and materials used in construction shall be
				  reasonably free of contamination.
(2) For wells which penetrate multiple
				  aquifers or zones, the well shall be completed so as to prevent
				  cross-connections of different aquifers or zones and to prevent leakage of
				  water from one aquifer or zone to another aquifer or zone. If a well cannot be
				  properly completed to prevent such an interchange of water between
				  water-bearing zones or to prevent a loss of artesian pressure, the well shall
				  be abandoned and plugged in accordance with Rule
				   40A-3.531, F.A.C., of these
				  rules or other specifications provided by the District, as may be appropriate
				  for the geological conditions encountered.
(3) For wells completed into unconsolidated
				  aquifers, casing shall extend from land surface to the well screen. The well
				  screen shall be attached to the casing with a watertight seal.
(4) For wells obtaining water from
				  consolidated aquifers, a continuous casing shall extend from the land surface
				  into the producing aquifer, and such casing must extend below the static water
				  level of the aquifer intended to supply the water to the well unless it can be
				  shown an alternative placement of the casing will prevent degradation of the
				  water resource. All caving zones shall be cased or screened. Prior approval for
				  the use of alternative methods shall be obtained from the District.
(5) Wells constructed to provide water for
				  irrigation systems are required to have installed an anti-syphon device
				  adequate to protect against contamination of the water supply, pursuant to the
				  requirements of Section
				   487.064, F.S.
(6) All water wells intended to provide
				  potable water shall be thoroughly cleaned of all foreign substances and
				  obstructing material after the well has been constructed. The well shall be
				  developed by pumping, surging, bailing, or other means which effectively remove
				  sediment, well cuttings, and foreign material from in and around the well. Such
				  wells shall be properly disinfected after construction in accordance with
				  Section 11, Well Disinfection, American Water Works Association Standard for
				  Water Wells, AWWA A100-84, dated June 10, 1984, which is hereby incorporated by
				  reference.
(7) It is the intent
				  that all wells shall be constructed to prevent caving and pumping of sand. In
				  areas where the potential exists for sand to enter the well, a screen shall be
				  used. If a screen is not used and the completed well pumps sand, the well will
				  be determined not to be suitable for its intended use and the well will have to
				  be repaired or abandoned.
(8) The
				  well casing shall extend a minimum of twelve (12) inches above ground level and
				  shall not be cut off below ground level unless prior approval is obtained from
				  the District. Circumstances for which such approval shall be considered include
				  the practice of installing the well top, pump and pump control apparatus in a
				  water tight below grade box specifically designed and installed for such
				  purpose for a well whose location is not subject to flooding or inundation.
				  Persons wishing to apply for approval shall submit their request to the
				  District on NWFWMD Form No. 122, Request For Below Grade Well Casing Approval.
				  The request will be reviewed in the same manner as exemption requests specified
				  in Rule  40A-3.051,
				  F.A.C.
Rulemaking Authority
						373.044,
						373.113,
						373.171,
						373.309,
						373.337 FS. Law Implemented
						 373.306,
						 373.308,
						 373.309 FS.
New 1-9-86, Formerly  40A-3.701(2), Amended 8-10-87,
						4-5-88, 8-1-89, 12-1-90, 11-1-92.