Abandoning an Old or Unused Well Near Portland, Oregon
An old well on your land that nobody uses still needs care. Oregon has rules for capping it or filling it properly, and a well company handles the work.
Around Gresham, Silverton and nearby
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.
Why an unused well matters
A well that is left open or sealed badly gives bacteria and other contaminants a direct path deep into the groundwater. Landowners can be held responsible for harm caused by an old or unused well, and may be required to repair or abandon one that is a problem.
Two ways to take a well out of service
- Temporary abandonment: the well is out of service but may be used again. It must have a watertight cap or seal that keeps anything from falling in, plus an access port for checking the water level.
- Permanent abandonment: the well is filled completely so water can no longer move inside it. Except for dug wells, this must be done by a licensed water well constructor or by the landowner under an OWRD landowner permit. A dug well needs OWRD approval before the work starts.
How a drilled well is usually filled
- The well report and a visit to the site show how the well was built.
- The pump, wiring and any debris come out of the hole first.
- The casing is usually pulled or ripped.
- The hole is filled with cement from the bottom up to the ground. Bentonite clay can be used in some cases, under state limits.
- A well report for the abandonment is filed with OWRD.
Questions to ask
- Is a temporary cap enough for my plans, or should the well be filled?
- What method fits this well, based on its report and condition?
- Will you file the abandonment report with OWRD and send me a copy?
Old well questions
I found an old well on property I just bought. What now?
Look it up in the OWRD well report database, then have a well company check its condition. Whether to keep it, cap it or fill it depends on what they find.
Can a new well replace an old one on the same lot?
Often, yes. Ask the driller to plan both jobs together, since the old well may need to be abandoned and the new one sited to meet the setback rules.
Ready when you are
Call now, or send the form. A local pro calls you back, usually the same business day.
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.