Siting of Wells and Safety Concerns Around Drill Rigs

Transcription

1 Siting of Wells and Safety Concerns Around Drill Rigs Wilson Mize, R.S. Environmental Health Regional Specialist On-Site Water Protection Section Private Water Supply Branch

2 Where should the well go? 2

3 Where should the well go? 3

4 Needs parcel identification number A plat or site plan is required by 15A NCAC 02C

5 Before visiting the site: Review the application Thoroughness, completeness Site plan or plat Do owners/requestees want to meet you on the site? Do the owners need to contact a utilities company to mark all underground lines? 5

6 Before visiting the site: Know what kind of well you are dealing with: Private well regulated by 02C rules or local regulations/ordinance Public well regulated by public water supply rules, defer to PWSS Except for transient, non-community water systems 6

7 Transient, Non-Community Water System This includes restaurants, welcome centers, churches, rest stops > 15 connections, > 25 people, > 60 days, < 6 months G.S states: The term private drinking water well includes a well that supplies drinking water to a transient non-community water system as defined in 40 Code of Federal Regulations 7

8 Before visiting the site: Know what is on the property and on surrounding properties: Existing septic systems or proposed permitted septic systems, including designated repair areas Other waste disposal systems, cesspools, privies Buildings with foundations or that may be treated with pesticides Easements or rights of way 8

9 Before visiting the site: Know what is on the property and on surrounding properties: Existing wells, springs or water lines or proposed permitted well sites Surface water bodies or designated wetlands Above ground or below ground storage tanks Animal feed lots or manure piles Landfills 9

10 Before visiting the site: Collect as much information about the site as you can reasonably collect prior to going out Is this a known petroleum contamination site? Refer back to the application. 10

11 Notice anything odd? 11

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13 Before visiting the site: Be sure you have the following: Copies of well/septic permits for the property in question as well as surrounding properties Copy of appropriate rules Proper equipment to do the job: Measuring tape Probe rod 13

14 Before visiting the site: 14

15 Upon arrival: Field Site Visit Be sure you re on the correct lot Find all property corners/lines Note all limiting factors: Septic systems/proposed septic systems Existing wells Surface water Foundations Topography 15

16 Field Site Visit Attempt to honor the request of the owner: May already have a desired spot for well Witching or divining rods If you can site a well where the owner desires meeting all required setbacks and the topography is good, permit it! 16

17 Field Site Visit Keep in mind that the further away the well is from the house, the more money it s going to cost the owner. Find any existing septic systems using available permits and using the probe rod: Don t always trust your old septic permits You need to probe to be sure of the location of the septic system Pull your tape measure and be sure you can meet required setbacks! 17

18 Field Site Visit Try to find a well area, not one specific well site Always remember required setbacks, but don t forget about TOPOGRAPHY Gullies Concave areas subject to flooding Steep slopes 18

19 A Review of Separation Distances AT LEAST 100ft Septic Tank/Drainfield and other Subsurface waste disposal systems Animal feedlots/manure piles Animal barns Sludge spreading areas 50 -Water tight sewage or liquid-waste Collection or transfer facility -Home heating oil tanks & AST / US w/ secondary containment. -Surface water bodies acting as Groundwater recharge sources: Ponds, lakes and reservoirs Sanitary Landfill 25 -Building foundations -All other surface water bodies: brooks, creeks, streams, and rivers. 19

20 UNLESS, a well used for a single-family dwelling and fixed conditions preclude greater separation distances Septic tank and drainfield Animal barns Cesspools/privies Water-tight sewage Or liquid-waste Collection or transfer facility 20

21 Field Site Visit 21

22 Field Site Visit What is this? 22

23 Field Site Visit Always ask yourself, Can a well rig be set in this area? Power lines Tree limbs Slope 23

24 Field Site Visit Don t forget about site accessibility!!! Does the well rig have to cross gullies, creeks, etc. to get to the well site? Can the well rig get by limiting factors, such as a septic system, to access the well site? 24

25 Field Site Visit 25

26 Field Site Visit Remember: Always look up! 26

27 Documentation If unable to issue a well permit, 15A NCAC 02C.0304 states: The Department shall issue a written notice of denial of a construction permit if it determines a private drinking water well cannot be constructed in compliance with the rules of this Section. The notice shall include reference to specific laws or rules that cannot be met and shall be provided to the applicant. 27

28 Documentation 28

29 Documentation Draw a detailed sketch showing the well site in addition to the following: Distance to property lines (preferably the two closest property lines) Distance to the house site or any other building foundations Distance to existing septic systems and proposed septic systems, as well as repair areas Distance to surface water bodies Any other pertinent information 29

30 Documentation Make your sketches as detailed as possible Show a well area as opposed to an exact spot: Give dimensions to your well area Helps avoid some liabiltiy Don t forget to sign and date your permit! 30

31 PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT PRIVATE DRINKING WATER WELL (Permit Expires 5 Years from Date Issued) Applicant Information Name Telephone Number Address City State Zip Code Well Identification CONDITIONS Physical Location GPS Location Lat: Long: Contractor Cert #: Well Contractor Well Head Inspection Well Contractor Identification Plate Pump Installer Identification Plate Sample Tap Access Port / Vent Well Seal Well Head 12 inches/pitless Adaptor 8 inches above Grade Grout to Ground Surface Well Inspection Record Permit Issued By: Date: Grout Inspection: Date: or Contractor Certification for Grouting Not Witnessed by Department Date: Well Head Inspection: Date: Certificate of Completion Construction has been completed, a Residential Well Construction Record Form GW-1a has been submitted, and inspections have been completed in accordance with 15A NCAC 02C. Certification by: Date: Water Samples Collected By: Date: Attachments Form GW-1a Form GW-30 Water Sample Results Plat/Site Plan 31

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33 Documentation 33

34 Examples Good well site? 34

35 Safety Around Well Rigs OSHA requires various PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) when working in the vicinity of well rig. 35

36 Safety Items You Should Have Safety toe footwear should be worn (i.e. Steel Toe Boots). 36

37 Protective helmets (hardhats) should be worn anytime you are near a drill rig that has their boom raised. 37

38 If you are around a drill rig for extended periods of time you should wear hearing protection. 38

39 Eye protection (safety glasses) should also be worn. 39

40 Be Observant!! Is the drill rig set up near power lines? OSHA regulations require that you stay at least 10 feet away from power lines up to 50,000 volts and require an additional 4 inches of clearance for every 10,000 volts over 50,000. Play it safe stay at least 35 feet away from all power lines with any part of a drill rig or any connected equipment. 40

41 From OSHA reported 50% of all deaths associated with water well drilling were attributed to electrocution. Most were the result of the rig making contact with an electrical line! 41

42 The lack of safety can be costly$$ The total costs of fatal and non-fatal injuries in the construction industry were estimated at $11.5 billion in The average cost per case of fatal or nonfatal injury is $27,000 in construction, almost double the per-case cost of $15,000 for all industry in

43 In contrast, Water well drilling had the highest per-dfw cost within construction at $53,000 per case, 26% higher than the average construction DFW case and 44% higher than the average for all private industry. 43

44 It Does Happen!! 44

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47 Preparation and Attitude! Always be prepared for the worst when working around drill rigs and bring the proper PPE for the situation you will encounter. Be aware of what is going on around you and always keep safety as your main priority. 47

48 Questions? Wilson Mize, R.S. Environmental Health Regional Specialist On-Site Water Protection Section (919)