Volume 33, No. 1
Spring/Summer 2013
2013 Legislative Session was
Active for the Well Management Section
The 2013 Legislative Session was very busy for state agencies involved with management of
groundwater resources. Three pieces of legislation were signed into law that will directly impact
groundwater, contractors, and the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) Well Management Section
activities. A summary of each is provided below:
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Bored Geothermal Heat Exchangers – The MDH will now regulate all drilled or bored geothermal
closed loop heat exchangers (except systems installed by excavation or trenching), including
horizontal, angled, and vertical heat exchangers. The legislation was straightforward and simply
changed all references of “vertical” heat exchanger to “bored geothermal” heat exchanger in
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103I. The MDH must now revise Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725 to
develop qualification requirements for representative certification and construction standards
(location, materials, fluids, and grouting) for the entire spectrum of bored geothermal heat
exchangers. If you have any questions about the rule revisions, please contact Mike Convery at
651-201-4586.
Clean Water Fund – Funding from the Clean Water Fund of the Clean Water Land and Legacy Act
Constitutional Amendment was awarded to the MDH Well Management Section for three activities
including continuation of the update of the County Well Index computer database, funding for well
sealing, and funding for a new private well protection initiative. The update of the County Well
Index database is well underway and it is anticipated that with the additional funding many of the
enhancements will be completed in the next two years. The funding for well sealing will be used for
private and public water wells and will be distributed through the Board of Water and Soil
Resources, the MDH, or some combination of the two. The new private well protection initiative
will utilize existing private well monitoring networks and data, supplemented by targeted sampling,
to characterize the occurrence and magnitude of contaminants in private wells including, arsenic,
INSIDE:
Persistent Bentonite Grout Issues
New Health Guidance for Trichloroethylene
Lead in Drinking Water
Federal Law on Lead in Drinking Water Components
Handling and Transit Requirements for Water Samples
Reminder: Contractors Send Records to MDH on Time
Grants for Sealing Public Wells
Obituaries
Inaccessible Well and the Determined Tow Truck
Continuing Education Calendar
New Contractor Certifications
nitrate, and manganese. Based on the analysis conducted, guidance and information will be
developed to assist well contractors and well owners in addressing potential water quality issues. In
addition to Well Management Section projects, other sections in the MDH received funds to
establish drinking water standards for new contaminants; protect public water supplies, including
public wells; and study viruses in groundwater.
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Water Appropriations – The statewide drought of 2012, along with the drop in water levels in
groundwater and lakes in many areas of the state, focused Legislators’ attention on water
management, especially on high volume users of water. One change in the law governing water
management, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103G (Waters of the State), affected the approval process
for water appropriation permits from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Preliminary approval will now be required before drilling a well that will be used to withdraw more
than 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1 million gallons per year. Well contractors/well owners
must now submit a “Preliminary Well Construction, Request for Approval” application to the DNR,
and receive written approval to proceed, before constructing a well that will withdraw more than
10,000 gallons per day or 1 million gallons per year. Application forms and the names and phone
numbers of DNR Area Hydrologist are available at:
http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/waters/forms/preliminary_well_construction_approval_application.pdf.
The well contractor or well owner must still submit a well construction notification form and
notification fee to the MDH prior to beginning construction of the well. Once the well is constructed
and construction and pumping information from the well is available, an appropriation permit
application must be submitted to the DNR for consideration. While attention has recently focused on
irrigation wells, this also applies to other high capacity wells including wells used for commercial
and industrial applications, heating and cooling, dewatering, groundwater remediation, and public
water supply.
Persistent Bentonite Grout Issues
Bentonite grout has been used by well and boring contractors in
Minnesota to seal the annular space surrounding the casing of new
wells and borings and also for permanently sealing wells and
borings completed in unconsolidated glacial deposits for many
years. Bentonite manufacturers have reported that it is common for
bentonite grout to settle up to 10 percent when mixed according to
their instructions. Inspections by Minnesota Department of Health
(MDH) field staff and well owner complaints have identified many
cases where bentonite grout settlement is much greater than the
10 percent conceded by manufacturers. In some well sealing cases,
the bentonite grout has settled so much that the well doesn’t even
appear to be sealed. Even with all the new grouting equipment and
special grout products, settlement of bentonite grout continues to
be a problem.
There are many different types of bentonite grout products, brands,
recipes, mixers, and pumps. Problems can occur if you do not use
the best combination for a particular application.
The “one-step grouts” are very popular because they have been
used the longest and are compatible with most pumps and mixers.
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Bentonite grout settlement in the
annular space surrounding the casing
of a new water-supply well.
These grouts consist of a 50-pound bag of powdered bentonite that is added to approximately 24 gallons
of water. “One-step grouts” usually settle because they are over mixed and have no capacity to swell
when pumped into a well or boring. Once in place, the grout appears to dehydrate, creating settlement
problems.
An alternative “one-step grout” product is granular bentonite which has been coated with a polymer to
delay hydration and swelling. It allows the grout to be pumped down the hole before it swells. When
mixed and pumped properly, polymer-coated granular bentonite seems to have less settlement issues,
but it can be problematic to mix and pump.
“Two-step grout” is a combination of granular bentonite
and a liquid polymer that is added to the make-up water.
This appears to be the best performing bentonite grout
mixture as long as the mixing and pumping instructions
are followed. This product allows swelling to occur in
the bore hole and usually sets up in less than an hour. It
is not unusual for this grout to continue to swell out of
the borehole after placement. This is a very welcome
sight.
“Thermally enhanced grouts” consist of one part
bentonite and up to four parts sand to make a very thick,
heavy, abrasive and hard to pump grout, requiring a very
specific mixer and pump for this application. This grout
is only allowed for bored geothermal heat exchangers in
Minnesota.
Many different variables can cause grout settlement
problems. The most problematic and easiest to fix is
dilution of the manufacturer’s grout recipe. It’s no secret
that the first batch of grout always works the best. The
mixer, pump, plumbing, and grout hose are all clean
Two-step granular bentonite grout with liquid
prior to mixing the first batch. After the first batch is
polymer added to mixing water was used to
pumped, there is always some residual grout that remains grout the annular space surrounding this new
well.
in the mixer, plumbing, and grout hose. Every subsequent
batch becomes thicker due to left over grout in the mixer from the previous batch. Also, there is thick
swelled grout in the grout hose. The pump has to work harder and harder to push the swelled grout
through the grout hose. Some contractors see extra water as the solution to making pumping easier;
however, adding extra water dilutes the grout and promotes grout settlement later on.
Grouting Tips to Minimize Grout Settlement
 Measure your water before mixing grout. Mark the inside of the mixer to indicate the right amount
of water per batch.
 Pretreat makeup water with soda ash to a pH level of 8.5-9.5 and bring the total hardness to
100 milligrams per liter or less.
 Remove drilling fluid from the hole before grouting.
 Use a polymer in makeup water and pump some water with polymer through the mixer, pump,
plumbing, and grout pipe to coat the inside of the entire system before grouting. This also ensures
that the grout pipe is not plugged prior to grouting.
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 When using a two-step bentonite grout (granular bentonite and liquid polymer) add 8-10 ounces of
polymer per 50 pound bag of grout and then add granular bentonite at a rate of 15-30 seconds per
bag. Mix only long enough to achieve a uniform granular suspension. Don’t over mix! Over mixing
causes the bentonite to swell prematurely.
 Avoid using a centrifugal or other nonpositive displacement pump. They shear (over mix) the grout.
Piston pumps work the best for bentonite grout. They push the grout down the hole without over
mixing.
 Use an adequate diameter grout hose/tremie pipe. One inch or 1¼ inch diameter works best.
 Don’t use more grout hose/tremie pipe than you need. Avoid hose reels with large amounts of
unnecessary hose.
 Avoid splices and kinks in grout hoses that can cause restrictions.
 Use cold water. Warm or hot water induces premature hydration and swelling and may lead to
plugging.
 Avoid using heavily chlorinated water as it will retard the hydration process.
 Make sure the grout pipe is set to the bottom of hole and stays submerged in grout during the entire
grouting process.
 Don’t compromise the integrity of the grout mixture by adding extra water.
 Use a grout product that works best for the style pump and grouter you plan to use. If you continue
to have settlement problems, look for a better grout product, mixer, and pump; otherwise be prepared
to regrout.
 Pump grout until thick grout returns to the surface.
 Avoid placing grout on top of drill cuttings. Drill cuttings will eventually settle, thus causing the
grout to settle.
 The best wells are full length grouted! Practice full length grouting. Is full length grouting too
expensive??? What’s the cost of having to return to a well site to regrout? Is it worth having an
unhappy well owner? Is it worth getting a violation letter?
New Health Guideline for Trichloroethylene (TCE) in Drinking Water
Trichloroethylene, otherwise known and abbreviated as TCE, is a chlorinated hydrocarbon compound
that is commonly used as a cleaning solvent to degrease metal parts and was also used to a lesser extent,
as a dry cleaning solvent. TCE, when present in water at low concentrations, is essentially odorless and
colorless. It does not readily breakdown when it is spilled or dumped on the ground and enters
groundwater aquifers. TCE dissolves in water and is very mobile when it reaches groundwater aquifers.
In 2011, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized their toxicological health
assessment for TCE. In response, and after lengthy review, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
determined that it was necessary to lower the health exposure level for TCE in drinking water to protect
human health. On May 21, 2013, the MDH officially established a new “Health Based Value (HBV)”
(health guidance level) of 0.4 micrograms per liter (µg/L), for TCE in drinking water in private,
domestic water-supply wells in Minnesota. The new HBV replaces the previous Health Risk Limit
(HRL) for TCE, which was 5.0 µg/L, and was established in 2007. Drinking water from private wells
containing TCE at or below the HBV level is considered safe for long-term consumption. For more
information on MDH health-based guidance for contaminants in drinking water, please visit the MDH
website at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/risk/guidance/gw.
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Community public drinking water systems are regulated by the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and
must comply with Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), which are federal health standards for
contaminants in community public drinking water systems. The federal MCL for TCE remains at 5 µg/L.
In Minnesota, there are several sites where TCE has contaminated groundwater aquifers, including
dumps, industrial sites, and properties where small businesses used and disposed of TCE. The site
affecting the most water-supply wells is the Baytown/West Lakeland Superfund site in Washington
County. In the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, TCE was dumped or spilled on the ground at a small metal finishing
business in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Groundwater contamination was first discovered by the MDH in
private wells in 1987. The contamination plume extends from the city of Lake Elmo to the St. Croix
River and covers approximately 13 square miles. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is
currently monitoring approximately 600 private water-supply wells and is monitoring and maintaining
approximately 300 whole-house, granular activated carbon filters that have been installed to remove
TCE. The MDH has established a Special Well and Boring Construction Area (SWBCA) for this site
and is currently reviewing the SWBCA boundary due to expansion of the contaminant plume. For more
information about this SWBCA, and others in Minnesota, go to:
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/swca.
The MPCA is currently identifying sites in Minnesota where TCE has been a problem in the past, and
the MDH and MPCA are working together to evaluate each site to determine whether additional actions
are necessary to protect public health.
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is a common metallic element found in the earth’s crust. It is easy to cast or machine, relatively
inexpensive, stable, and is corrosion resistant. Lead has been used in a wide range of domestic and
commercial applications which have resulted in human exposure to lead. Historically, lead has been
used in lead-based paints, leaded gasoline, lead batteries, lead shot, mining, manufacturing, jewelry,
hobbies, folk medicines, and pipes. Lead pipes have been in use as water distribution pipes for over
2,000 years. In fact, the abbreviation for lead “Pb” comes from the ancient Latin root word for
“plumber.” Human exposure to lead, whether from mining or manufacturing, children ingesting lead
paint chips or dust, or from lead dissolved in drinking water, has been recognized as causing a number
of adverse health effects.
Lead rarely occurs in groundwater naturally, but frequently occurs in drinking water due to leaching of
lead from lead components in wells and water systems, including: lead water pipes; lead solder in
copper piping; lead packers and lead wool in wells; and lead in brass fixtures and fittings.
Community and noncommunity nontransient public water systems are required to test for lead and take
action if the lead concentration exceeds 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L). Minnesota does not require
testing for lead in private water wells and does not have an enforceable standard; however, it is
recommended that concentrations be below 15 µg/L. Federally financed home loans typically require
water testing for lead.
Unlike testing for many other drinking water contaminants, testing for lead does not involve flushing
water from the system prior to sampling. Testing for lead requires a “first draw” sample of water that
has been in contact with the water system for at least six hours. Also, samples should be collected at the
faucet where drinking water is primarily obtained, not at the well or some other sampling tap. Costs for
lead analysis in drinking water typically range from $30 to $50 per sample.
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The largest health concern due to exposure to lead is for children under six years of age and pregnant
women. Lead primarily affects the nervous system. Lead ingested by children can lead to learning
disabilities and behavioral problems. As lead concentrations or exposures increase, those affected may
experience an increase in blood pressure; weakness in fingers, wrists and ankles; and anemia can set in.
High levels of lead, not usually seen in drinking water, can damage the brain, red blood cells and
kidneys. Lead is a probable human carcinogen. Lead is not easily absorbed through the skin, so water
containing lead in the typical concentrations found in well water can be used for bathing or washing
hands.
If lead is in drinking water, it can be reduced or eliminated by:
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Replacing the water system components containing lead such as pipes, faucets, and fittings. In some
cases this may be possible, but in most cases this is impractical and expensive.
Reducing the corrosion of the water. This may not eliminate all lead, but it may substantially reduce
the lead content, and also reduce leaching of copper and extend the life of the plumbing. Changing
the electrical ground from the well and water piping to a separate ground rod may reduce corrosion
and reduce lead leaching.
Flush the plumbing system before obtaining drinking water. Many schools with a lead problem flush
the water from drinking fountains each day before use.
Drinking bottled water that has been tested and shown to be lead free or using another lead-free
water source.
Install water treatment equipment to remove lead. Most water treatment units that remove lead are
point-of-use devices which remove lead at a single drinking faucet. The most common treatment unit
for lead removal is reverse osmosis. Distillation is also effective. Coincidentally, both of these
technologies also remove arsenic. Lead selective activated carbon, containing a lead removal media
such as KDF (copper/zinc granules), is also effective. Heating, boiling, and sediment filters are not
effective at removing dissolved lead.
Federal Law Regarding Lead in Pipes and Water System Components
A federal law concerning the amount of allowable lead in pipes and water system components in contact
with potable water was passed by the Congress and signed by the President of the United States in
January 2011. The law becomes effective January 4, 2014. The law applies to public water supplies, and
to private residential and nonresidential water supplies providing water for human consumption. The law
reduces the allowable amount of lead in pipes, fittings, valves, and fixtures from the current level of
8 percent to 0.25 percent. The amount of lead in solders and flux is not changed, and remains at
0.20 percent.
The law will apply to products installed after January 3, 2014, whether for totally new work or in the
repair of an existing water system. Products not meeting the standard cannot be legally installed after
January 3, 2014. There are two exemptions to the law: first, the law does not apply to completely
nonpotable water supplies such as irrigation; and second, the law does not apply to some specific
components of potable water systems that are not usually used for drinking, such as toilets, shower
valves, and similar fixtures.
Manufacturers can sell both “lead free” and lead-containing materials, although some have indicated that
they will stop making materials that don’t meet the standard. Most manufacturers are marking their
complying products, “lead free,” “no lead,” or using a different colored label. However, there are no
mandatory labeling requirements. Two markings that assure the product meets the standard are NSF-372
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and NSF/ANSI 61 G. If the product is marked and meets either of these standards, it complies with the
law. The 61 G standard will likely be eliminated within a few years. The Federal Environmental
Protection Agency is writing rules to implement the law. A draft is expected in September 2013 that
may answer questions including labeling and repair of existing components.
Water Samples from New Wells: Handling and Transit Requirements
Well contractors must collect water samples from newly constructed potable water-supply wells and
have them tested for coliform bacteria, nitrate-nitrogen, and arsenic. The water samples must be
analyzed by a laboratory that is certified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), according to
the requirements in Minnesota Rules, parts 4740.2010 to 4740.2120. The following water sample
handling and transit requirements must be met:
Holding Times and Sample Preservation
Arsenic – Water samples collected to test for arsenic may be preserved in the field with nitric acid so
that the pH is less than 2. If not preserved in the field, arsenic samples must be preserved in the
laboratory. The laboratory must check and verify that the pH of the samples is less than 2. Once
preserved, the samples must sit for 16 hours before the preservation verification occurs. The holding
time is 180 days when preserved.
Total Coliform Bacteria – A laboratory must begin incubation of samples collected for total coliform
bacteria analysis within 30 hours of collection. Samples not set up within 30 hours of collection must be
rejected.
Nitrate-Nitrogen – A laboratory must analyze samples collected for nitrate analysis within 48 hours of
collection or the laboratory must acid-preserve the sample. When the sample is acid-preserved, the
laboratory must begin analysis within 28 days of the collection date.
Samples collected for compliance with this rule do not require refrigeration or icing during transit.
While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages samples be held below 10 °C throughout
transit, maintaining samples below this temperature is not a requirement for water samples collected
from new wells.
Water samples must not be frozen and laboratories must reject samples that arrive frozen, or where there
is evidence of prior freezing. A laboratory must also reject water samples exhibiting a detectable
chlorine odor or measurable amount of chlorine.
Attention Well Contractors!
Send in Well and Boring Construction and Sealing Records
and Lab Reports on Time
Well and boring construction and sealing records and water sampling reports are very important
documents for well owners, well contractors, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and other
groundwater professionals. It is extremely important for well contractors to complete these records and
to submit them to the well owner and MDH in a timely fashion. In many cases, these documents are
needed for loan applications, property transfers, closings, and for well contractor license and registration
renewal. (Well owners get extremely upset when they receive a lab report several months after the
analysis was completed, and it shows the presence of coliform bacteria or the occurrence of arsenic or
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nitrate at levels exceeding drinking water guidance.) Minnesota rules require that the well contractor
submit well and boring construction and sealing records to the well or boring owner and the MDH
within 30 days of completing the work. Well contractors must collect water samples within 30 days of
completion and before the use of a new well, and the water sample results must be submitted to the well
owner and MDH within 30 days of completion of the water analysis (see Minnesota Rules,
part 4725.5650.)
Too many contractors are waiting until the end of the year to submit well and boring construction and
sealing records and water sample results and it is creating delays with license and registration renewals
which come due at the end of the year. MDH cannot process well and boring contractor license or
registration renewal applications until all outstanding records are submitted, reviewed, and are accepted.
During the 2013 license and registration renewal period, MDH entered into Compliance Agreements
with four contractors who had developed a large backlog of missing records and reports. The license
renewal for a fifth contractor has yet to be issued as MDH and the contractor continue to resolve missing
records. Also, the MDH assessed an $8,100 administrative penalty against a contractor who had ongoing
problems with well record and water sample report submittals.
This year, the Well Management Section is trying to correct this problem by sending contractors an
early reminder to submit outstanding records. During August 2013, the Well Management Section will
send well contractors a list of outstanding records and reports that have not yet been received by MDH.
Please review the list and submit all records that are due. Contractors are reminded to submit well and
boring construction and sealing records within 30 days of completing the work, and water sample
reports within 30 days of completion of the analysis.
Grants for Sealing Unused Public Water-Supply Wells
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was provided funding through the Clean Water, Land, and
Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota constitution, to provide well sealing cost-share assistance to
owners of unused (not-in-use) public water-supply wells. In 2013, the MDH will provide nearly
$250,000 to public water suppliers in the form of well sealing cost-share grants. This funding requires a
50 percent match from non-state sources and pays well owners up to half the cost to seal unused wells.
Wells posing significant threats to groundwater quality, or wells with other problems such as multiplecased, multi-aquifer wells were given priority. Nineteen public water suppliers have been approved for
monetary awards to help seal a total of 29 unused public water-supply wells. A list of the public water
suppliers approved for well sealing cost-share grants and the number of public wells they will seal is
included below. These wells are scheduled to be sealed by the end of 2013.
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Aspenwood Home Owners Association,
Tofte, Minnesota – one well
City of Baxter – two wells
Cascade Lodge, Lutsen, Minnesota – one
well
City of Cook – two wells
Norwood Shores East Home Owners
Association, Lutsen, Minnesota – one well
Beltrami County/City of Solway – one well
City of Balaton – one well
City of Benson – two wells
Brownton Water Supply – one well
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Lismore Colony, Clinton, Minnesota – one
well
City of Marshall – one well
City of St. James – two wells
Heritage Square Townhomes, Faribault,
Minnesota – two wells
City of Lewiston – one well
Browerville Water System – two wells
City of Royalton – one well
City of Burnsville – three wells
City of Eagan – two wells
City of St. Louis Park – two wells
The MDH recently obtained an additional $500,000 from the Clean Water Fund, to be used to help seal
unused wells. Half of the money will be used for well sealing grants for private wells in fiscal year 2014.
These funds will be distributed through the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to
local units of government. The other half of the money will be used for well sealing cost-share grants to
seal unused public wells in fiscal year 2015. These funds will be made available through competitive
grants. Availability of these funds will be announced via agency websites as well as through newsletters
and the MDH GovDelivery system.
Obituaries
Edward George Benes, 81, of Benes Well Drilling, Inc. of Cohasset, Minnesota, and formerly of Grand
Rapids, Minnesota, died Monday, December 24, 2012, at his home.
Edward was born on September 14, 1931, to Frank and Marie Benes in Hill City, Minnesota, where he
also grew up and attended school. He worked in the mines prior to his marriage to Eleanor Toven on
September 14, 1952, in Hill City. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan during the Korean Conflict. After
his discharge, Edward owned and operated a service station and was a logger. He later started Benes
Well Drilling which he owned and operated for 30 years. He loved to hunt, fish, and play Keno. Edward
also enjoyed playing the harmonica and guitar.
Preceding Edward in death were his parents, three brothers, and three sisters. Edward is survived by his
wife of 60 years, Eleanor; daughter, Laurie (Paul) Meyer of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; sons Dale (Vicki)
Benes of Hill City and Bruce Benes of Cohasset, Minnesota; sisters, Bess Braeden and Victoria “Suzie”
Howard, both of Hill City; brother, Fred Benes of Hill City; four grandchildren and nine greatgrandchildren. Burial with full military honors was at Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, Minnesota.
Richard G. Larson, 72, longtime owner of Larson Well Drilling in Mabel, Minnesota, died Friday,
April 5, 2013, at his home surrounded by family.
Richard was born November 4, 1940, in Newburg Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, to George
and Beulah (Soiney) Larson. He attended the Riceford and Mabel Schools. He served in the U.S. Navy
from 1957 to 1961. After his discharge from the Navy, he moved to Rockford, Illinois, went to barber
school, and worked at the Estwing Company. It was in Rockford where he started working for a well
driller and a short time later started his own well drilling business. He married Pat Ostern. They later
divorced. He moved back to the Mabel area and has operated Larson Well Drilling since. On February 2,
1973, he married Marcia McCabe.
Richard was a member of the Scheie Lutheran Church and the American Legion. He enjoyed horses,
cattle, playing cards, playing jokes on others, and helping others in need.
Richard is survived by his wife, Marcia of Mabel; sisters, Norma Spitzmiller and Helen (Jake) Beaman
both of Rockford, Illinois, and Marie Betsinger of Rockland,Wisconsin; brother, Leland (Marcy) of
Green Valley, Arizona; daughter Renee (Roger) Lanswerk of Mabel; son, Russell (Karen) Larson of
Mabel; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in
death by his son, Rick; his parents; a sister, Bernice Garness; and two brothers, Harold and Leslie.
Burial with military rites by the American Legion was at the Mabel Lutheran Cemetery.
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Case of the Inaccessible Well and Determined Tow Truck
Remember the Story of the Engine that Thought It Could written in 1906 by Reverend Charles S. Wing?
This enforcement case is reminiscent of the little engine.
In 1991, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) received a Well Disclosure Certificate indicating
an unused, unsealed well on a property in Freeborn County. The owner could not afford to have the well
sealed so she chose to apply for, and was issued, a well maintenance permit, which allowed her to
maintain the well in a “not in use” condition. She kept renewing the maintenance permit each year until
she sold the property in 2002. The new owner continued to pay the annual well maintenance permit fees
until he decided to have the well-sealed in 2011. He called a licensed well contractor and asked for an
estimate to seal the well. The well contractor visited the property and looked at the well and informed
the property owner that it was not feasible to get equipment to the well to seal it. Two months later, the
property owner contacted a second licensed well contractor for an estimate to seal the well. That
contractor submitted a Well Sealing Notification form and fee to the MDH before he even looked at the
well. Once onsite, he attempted to remove the pump from the well, but was unsuccessful. He told the
property owner that he could not remove the pump from the well and “walked away” from the job.
The property owner then contacted a towing company to try to pull the pump. The towing company
brought out a tow truck with a boom and pulled the pump and approximately 60 feet of drop-pipe from
the well. The property owner then hired a third licensed well contractor to permanently seal the well.
The well was 3-inches in diameter with an open bottom. There were no other obstructions in the well.
Neither of the first two well contractors were able to figure out how to access the well and pull the pump
out. They also did not think to purchase or rent the necessary equipment to complete the work. The
property owner ended up having to take matters into his own hands to find a creative solution to his
problem. Unfortunately in this case, he hired someone who did not have a well contracting license. The
MDH eventually sent the towing company a violation letter for performing well work without a license.
In some cases, contractors need to think outside the box to come up with creative solutions to get the job
done. Tools, including drive-blocks, chain hoists, electric winches, hand operated levers, and hydraulic
jacks including the concentric “hollow” jacks pictured below, come in handy in situations where well
access is limited.
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Continuing Education Calendar
The Internet link to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Well Management Section’s,
Continuing Education Calendar is: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells/lwcinfo/training.html.
This calendar lists the upcoming continuing education courses that have been approved for renewal of
certification for representatives of Minnesota licensed and registered well and boring contractors. The
calendar also lists the number of credits available for each course. The calendar is updated monthly and,
if you subscribe, you will be notified by email when this page changes (new classes added, changes to
existing classes).
For additional information about any of these training opportunities, call the contact person listed for the
program of interest. For general information about continuing education, more current CEU listings, or
to request approval for other continuing education activities not listed, contact Mike Convery,
Minnesota Department of Health, Well Management Section Operations Unit Supervisor, at
651-201-4586, or [email protected].
MINNESOTA WELL MANAGEMENT NEWS
Published twice per year by the Well Management Section, Minnesota Department of Health
www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells
Editor: Patrick Sarafolean, 651-201-3962
Contributors: Well Management Section Staff unless otherwise noted.
To request this document in another format, call 651-201-4600.
Reprinting of articles in this newsletter is encouraged.
Please give credit to the Minnesota Department of Health or noted source.
11
Minnesota
Well Management News
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
WELL MANAGEMENT SECTION
625 ROBERT ST N
PO BOX 64975
ST PAUL MN 55164-0975
651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808
New Contractor Certifications
Well Contractor
Tony A. McAlpine
McAlpines Well Drilling of Dayton, Inc.
Dayton, Minnesota
Vertical Heat Exchanger Contractor
Wes J. Seed
Pump Worx US, Inc.
Pembina, North Dakota
Monitoring Well Contractor
Matthew C. Meyer
MN Department of Natural Resources – Waters
St. Paul, Minnesota
Pump Installer
Jacob T. Siebenaler
H and M Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
Rollingstone, Minnesota
Explorer
Glenn Madden
Downing Drilling, Inc.
Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada
Pitless/Screen Contractor
Thomas J. Redder
T and J Redder Well and Electric, Inc.
Trent, South Dakota
Brian C. Lentz
Big Rock Exploration, LLC
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Jacob T. Siebenaler
H and M Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
Rollingstone, Minnesota
Robert A. Rush
Kennecott Exploration Co.
Tamarack, Minnesota