La. Admin. Code tit. 56 § V-329

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-329 - Observation Well

A. An inactive well can be used as an observation well by the landowner or lessee, or with the landowner's permission by governmental agencies, appropriate engineering or research organizations engaged in studies of the water resources of the area. Observation wells shall be covered with an appropriate cap or cover to prevent use or entry except by personnel of the landowner or lessee, or the agency or organization making the observations. It shall be the responsibility of the owner, organization, or agency to prevent entry of any foreign materials or water into observation wells and to keep the surrounding area clear of waste, water, and debris.

B. A well shall not be used for any injection or recharge studies until a permit and permission are obtained in accordance with existing codes, orders, rules, and regulations of the Department of Conservation and/or the Louisiana Health and Human Resources Administration.

C. When a well, which was formerly an active well is no longer needed for observation purposes and the landowner or lessee of the land does not intend to use the well to supply water, the well shall be considered abandoned. The well then shall be sealed and plugged in accordance with these standards within 90 days after the initial date of abandonment. The responsibility for properly sealing and plugging an observation well, which formerly was an active well, shall be the landowner's or lessee's responsibility unless the agreement with the agency or organization to use the well for observation purposes clearly delegates the responsibility to the agency or organization.

D. Wells constructed solely for observation purposes by a landowner or lessee, a governmental agency, engineering or research organization, shall be converted to either active well status or abandoned well status when no longer needed for observation purposes. It shall be the responsibility of the landowner or lessee, agency, or organization who installed the well to plug and seal the well in accordance with these standards and methods stated within 90 days after the initial date of abandonment.

La. Admin. Code tit. 56, § V-329

Promulgated by the Office of the Governor, Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission, LR 1:386 (September 1975), effective October 1, 1975, repromulgated LR 33:2643 (December 2007).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 38:3076(14) and 38:3079.