Florida Administrative Code
40 - WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS
40D - Southwest Florida Water Management District
Chapter 40D-3 - REGULATION OF WELLS
Section 40D-3.531 - Abandoned Well Plugging

Universal Citation: FL Admin Code R 40D-3.531

Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024

(1) The form entitled "State of Florida Permit Application to Construct, Repair, Modify or Abandon a Well, " adopted by reference in Rule 40D-3.101, F.A.C., shall be submitted to the District and a Well Construction Permit shall be issued prior to the abandonment of any well, including an incomplete well.

(2) All abandoned wells as defined by Section 373.303(1), F.S., and subsection 40D-3.021(1), F.A.C., abandoned artesian wells as defined by Section 373.203(1), F.S., and incomplete wells as defined by subsection 40D-3.021(17), F.A.C., shall be plugged in accordance with subsection (3) of this rule and Rule 40D-3.517, F.A.C., unless they can be repaired in accordance with this chapter.

(3) All abandoned and incomplete wells shall be plugged by filling them from bottom to top with grout. The work shall be performed by a licensed water well contractor except for wells exempted under subsection 40D-3.051(1), F.A.C., and wells permitted to be constructed or abandoned pursuant to paragraph 40D-3.301(1)(a), F.A.C.

(a) Use of clean aggregate to bridge cavernous or lost circulation zones shall be allowed if measurements indicate loss of grout and the borehole or screened portion does not connect two (2) or more aquifers of differing water quality. Prior approval to use aggregate or other material must be obtained from the District.

(b) Obstructions shall be cleared from all wells prior to plugging.

(4) The contractor must notify the District at least 24 hours in advance of a well abandonment. A District representative must be on site to observe the abandonment procedure unless the following criteria are met and the District authorizes the contractor to proceed without a District representative on site:

(a) The contractor is currently in compliance with all other District rules;

(b) The contractor has not violated any conditions of his license or any District rule within the past two years;

(c) The District has observed the abandonment of at least ten prior wells by the requesting contractor; and

(d) A District representative cannot be at the well site at the time of abandonment.

(5) The "Well Grouting/Abandonment Form, " Form No. LEG-R.041.01 (9/14) available at https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05529 incorporated herein by reference, will be used to document the well abandonment. Copies of this form can be obtained at the District's website at www.watermatters.org or from District offices.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113, 373.171, 373.309, 373.337 FS. Law Implemented 373.206, 373.207, 373.209, 373.306, 373.308, 373.309 FS.

New 7-1-90, Amended 9-30-91, 12-31-92, 7-2-98, 9-26-02, 2-26-07, 8-19-08, 8-30-09, 7-12-15.

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