| WELL PLUGGING |
Open Abandoned Water Wells are Cause for Concern
Since the beginning of the Lone Wolf Groundwater Conservation District in 1999, more than 2,500
well have been reported to the district. However, it is believed that there are many more wells that
lie within the district’s boundaries that were not reported.
Many abandoned wells are open to contaminants and are dangerous if someone should fall into
one. Abandon wells are not always easy to see; they can be easily hidden by weeds. Those that
are visible are often covered by plywood, a 55-gallon drum, sheet metal, used tires or other means.
However, these methods of sealing a well are neither correct nor legal.
State law proclaims that an abandoned or open well must to be closed or capped by a covering
capable of sustaining four hundred (400) or more pounds. Landowners can be held liable should
an incident occur because a well is not properly closed off.
Contamination is another reason why abandoned wells should be sealed off correctly. Wells make
direct contact with the aquifer that lies below. Rainfall may carry pollutants into an open well if the
well’s casing and pump have been removed there could be easy access for contaminates. Once
contaminates are detected in groundwater, they are hard to remove and could make the
groundwater unsuitable for human consumption.
The public is encouraged to report abandoned water wells to the Lone Wolf Groundwater
Conservation District at (325) 728-2027. You may also stop by our office to notify us of your
concerns at 131 West 5th Street in Colorado City.
For more information on the proper way to plug or cap a water well, please visit the Texas
Cooperative Extensions website.
Since the beginning of the Lone Wolf Groundwater Conservation District in 1999, more than 2,500
well have been reported to the district. However, it is believed that there are many more wells that
lie within the district’s boundaries that were not reported.
Many abandoned wells are open to contaminants and are dangerous if someone should fall into
one. Abandon wells are not always easy to see; they can be easily hidden by weeds. Those that
are visible are often covered by plywood, a 55-gallon drum, sheet metal, used tires or other means.
However, these methods of sealing a well are neither correct nor legal.
State law proclaims that an abandoned or open well must to be closed or capped by a covering
capable of sustaining four hundred (400) or more pounds. Landowners can be held liable should
an incident occur because a well is not properly closed off.
Contamination is another reason why abandoned wells should be sealed off correctly. Wells make
direct contact with the aquifer that lies below. Rainfall may carry pollutants into an open well if the
well’s casing and pump have been removed there could be easy access for contaminates. Once
contaminates are detected in groundwater, they are hard to remove and could make the
groundwater unsuitable for human consumption.
The public is encouraged to report abandoned water wells to the Lone Wolf Groundwater
Conservation District at (325) 728-2027. You may also stop by our office to notify us of your
concerns at 131 West 5th Street in Colorado City.
For more information on the proper way to plug or cap a water well, please visit the Texas
Cooperative Extensions website.
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