Well Closure
A licensed well driller closes an abandoned well.
Why close abandoned wells?
- To reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.
- To eliminate the risk of children, pets or livestock being injured by falling into the well.
- To avoid liability under Michigan's Polluter Pay Law, 91982 PA-307 if groundwater contamination is caused by an abandoned well on your property
Only the landowner or a licensed well driller can legally close an abandoned well. The process for dug wells and hand driven wells is not difficult. However drilled, deep, bedrock and artesian (flowing) wells should be closed by a licensed well driller with the proper equipment.
An improperly closed well may not reduce your groundwater risk. Filling an old well with rocks or gravel may reduce the potential for physical injury but won't reduce the groundwater contamination risk. So, you may want to take advantage of the technical assistance opportunities provided by the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program to make sure things go smoothly.
For more information contact the Groundwater Technician or your licensed well driller.