Linking the Watershed Community Through Groundwater Protection
Protecting our water resources
for the future...
We need to understand what we
can do to safeguard our drinking
water supplies for our families
for the future...
We need to understand what we
can do to safeguard our drinking
water supplies for our families
Properly Decommission an
Abandoned Water Well
This is an important method of
protecting the aquifer for the
future
Abandoned Water Well
This is an important method of
protecting the aquifer for the
future
Lower Souris River Watershed
| EcoAction Ground Water Project |
What is this project all about?
This project has been funded through Enviroment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program.
It has been designed to increase the knowledge of watershed residents about the direct link that
exsists between source water protection and ground water quality. Through a multifaceted approach
of water quality testing, wellhead protection and aquifer protection watershed residents will benefit by
improved ground water quality.
It has been designed to increase the knowledge of watershed residents about the direct link that
exsists between source water protection and ground water quality. Through a multifaceted approach
of water quality testing, wellhead protection and aquifer protection watershed residents will benefit by
improved ground water quality.
Wether you own your own private water well or depend upon a community well for you drinking water
you may participate in this project. Our staff members will be available to assist you through the
process of performing a water test, identification of possible contamination sources, development of a
well head integrity program and if waranted aid in well decommissioning.
you may participate in this project. Our staff members will be available to assist you through the
process of performing a water test, identification of possible contamination sources, development of a
well head integrity program and if waranted aid in well decommissioning.
As a watershed resident what can I expect?
Through this mulitfaceted approach our hope is to provide watershed residents with the information
and tools that will aid them to develop and maintain a safe groundwater supply for their families and
operations.
and tools that will aid them to develop and maintain a safe groundwater supply for their families and
operations.
Measuring water quality, is it my responsibility?
If you are connected to a municipal water supply Saskatchewan Environment has set water quality
objectives and monitors water testing programs based on Health Canada guidelines. If you operate a
private water well there is no legal testing requirements. This does not mean that you shouldn't
perform a routine water test to ensure your water meets the provincial water quality guidelines and
objectives. It is recommended that all private drinking water wells be tested on an annual basis for
both levels of nitrates and bacteria. Please contact one of the numerous accredited water analysis
laboratories within Saskatchewan for more detailed information.
objectives and monitors water testing programs based on Health Canada guidelines. If you operate a
private water well there is no legal testing requirements. This does not mean that you shouldn't
perform a routine water test to ensure your water meets the provincial water quality guidelines and
objectives. It is recommended that all private drinking water wells be tested on an annual basis for
both levels of nitrates and bacteria. Please contact one of the numerous accredited water analysis
laboratories within Saskatchewan for more detailed information.
What steps can I take to protect my water well and aquifer?
There are numerous ways that a water well and associated aquifer may become contaminated.
These range from improper well location and construction, routine maintenance, improperly
decommissioned old wells, waste water disposal systems, onsite fuel storage, pesticide and fertilizer
storage, manure from livestock yards and improper disposal of farm wastes. Every individual well will
have unique characteristics that may impact the integrity of the groundwater quality. This is why we
reccommend performing an individual wellhead integrity assesment for each and every water well
located on a property.
These range from improper well location and construction, routine maintenance, improperly
decommissioned old wells, waste water disposal systems, onsite fuel storage, pesticide and fertilizer
storage, manure from livestock yards and improper disposal of farm wastes. Every individual well will
have unique characteristics that may impact the integrity of the groundwater quality. This is why we
reccommend performing an individual wellhead integrity assesment for each and every water well
located on a property.
How do I properly decommission my old water well?
Well decommissioning procedures vary, depending primarily on well construction, hydrogeology and
the geology of the site. A single set of well decommissioning procedures is NOT suitable for all wells.
The following decommisioning steps act only as a general guideline. Site specific conditions will
dictate the exact procedures that should be followed to properly decommission the well.
1) Removal of well equipment
2) Well Characterization
3) Disinfection
4) Remove Casing
5) Filling and Sealing
During the duration of this project we will be out in the field hosting local workshops that will
demonstrate the proper procedures to decommission old and unused water well throughout the
watershed. If you are seeking additional assistance in performing a well decommissioning project
please contact our office at (306)452-3292
the geology of the site. A single set of well decommissioning procedures is NOT suitable for all wells.
The following decommisioning steps act only as a general guideline. Site specific conditions will
dictate the exact procedures that should be followed to properly decommission the well.
1) Removal of well equipment
2) Well Characterization
3) Disinfection
4) Remove Casing
5) Filling and Sealing
During the duration of this project we will be out in the field hosting local workshops that will
demonstrate the proper procedures to decommission old and unused water well throughout the
watershed. If you are seeking additional assistance in performing a well decommissioning project
please contact our office at (306)452-3292
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