Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Virginia Department of Health
 
Board
State Board of Health
 
chapter
Private Well Regulations [12 VAC 5 ‑ 630]
Action Amend Regulations Following Periodic Review
Stage Final
Comment Period Ended on 11/6/2024
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26 comments

All comments for this forum
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10/22/24  2:43 pm
Commenter: Richard O'Dell

Private Well Regulations - Grouting Requirements
 

I am writing to voice opposition to the new requirement that all private class IIIC wells be grouted using a pumpable grout.  3/8" Bentonite Chips have long been allowed to be poured form the surface for wells with a 20ft grouting requirement.  They provide 100% solids grout seal and also provide structural support for well casing.  Bentonite chips have designed by the manufacturer specifically for this purpose, and I see no evidence to change existing private well regulations regarding their use.   

CommentID: 228168
 

10/22/24  3:06 pm
Commenter: John O'Dell

Grouting Requirements
 
CommentID: 228169
 

10/22/24  6:55 pm
Commenter: Chad Bordewyk. Curtis Drilling Inc

Virginia Private Will regulations/grouting methods
 

I am also in agreement with Richard O’Dell‘s comments above.

CommentID: 228171
 

10/22/24  7:07 pm
Commenter: Brian Lester / Lester Well Drilling Inc

Class 3C well grouting requiements
 

I have read the updated proposed well regs concerning the grouting requirements for a class 3C well to now be pumped through a tremie pipe. I strongly oppose this as the state has allowed 3/8” bentonite chips to be poured 20’ for many years. We live in a fairly rural area and probably 90%  of our wells are class 3C. The pouring of bentonite chips has always been an effective and trouble free way of grouting for our company and many around us. I feel like the proposed pumping of grout for class 3C wells needs to definitely be reviewed further. Thank you 

CommentID: 228172
 

10/22/24  9:35 pm
Commenter: Maupin Well Drilling LLC

Grouting Requirements
 

I am also in agreement with the above comments concerning the Grout requirements, thank you, James Maupin

CommentID: 228178
 

10/23/24  6:52 pm
Commenter: Cameron Menefee C & G Well Drilling

Distance from foundations for Irrigation class wells and grouting
 

With yard space becoming tighter and lot sizes smaller, it has always been a challenge on smaller lots to get 10 feet off foundations without going into a utility easement. With the new changes of 15 feet off of foundations and now 5 feet off property lines, thousands of homes will no longer be able to legally have a irrigation well. This change alone is going to reduce by my estimate 30% of irrigation wells which for me is easily going to be 100 wells a year. ($30,000 in permits) This rule is going to empower those who don't pull permits and inhibit the rule abiding drillers that pull permits. If termite treatment is no longer an issue, I don't understand and was never explained why the new rule has moved us even farther from foundations. And the explanation for being 5 feet off property lines is so wells don't accidently get drilled on wrong property, which in my 15 years of doing this (roughly 10,000 wells) this has never happened. 

Also for us shallow well drillers, shallow wells (Example a 30 foot well), it doesn't make sense to pump grout on shallow wells, and isn't practical in field. We have to pour the grout and truthfully speaking a pour fills the void better than pumping ever could. Lastly also pertaining to new grouting standards. Casing is now to be cut off 5 feet underground then grouted. Many of our static water tables are above 5 feet, and in many areas here you will hit water 3-4 feet in the ground, making this impossible. 

 

CommentID: 228211
 

10/29/24  10:18 am
Commenter: Jimmy Bundick

Grouting Requirements
 

I am writing to voice opposition to the new requirement that all private class IIIC wells be grouted using a pumpable grout.  3/8" Bentonite chips have long been allowed to be poured from the surface for wells with a 20' grouting requirement.  They provide 100% solids grout seal and also provide structural support for the well casing.  Bentonite chips are designed by the manufacturer specifically for this purpose, and I see no evidence to change the existing private well regulations regarding their use.

I copied the above and fully agree.

CommentID: 228761
 

10/29/24  10:36 am
Commenter: Robert W. Royall

12VAC 5-630-410-F. Grouting. 6 Placement methods
 

The stricken language below is opposed. This proposed section of regulation eliminates the pouring of grout in wells that calls for a 20ft or less grout depth.

This will cause an unnecessary increase in well construction cost to the citizens of Virginia. VDH has approved specific Grouting materials that are designed to be installed by gravity pour through air and water columns. 

I am requesting the stricken language below be returned to the regulation

a. Placement using a grout pump or tremie pipe from the bottom of the annular space upward in one operation until the annular space is filled, whenever the grouting depth exceeds 20 feet. Pouring of grout is acceptable for drilled wells whenever grouting depth does not exceed 20 feet.

 

CommentID: 228762
 

10/29/24  11:58 am
Commenter: Danny Bundick

Grouting Requirements
 

I am writing to voice opposition to the new requirement that all private class IIIC wells be grouted using a pumpable grout. 3/8" Bentonite Chips have long been allowed to be poured form the surface for wells with a 20ft grouting requirement. They provide 100% solids grout seal and also provide structural support for well casing. Bentonite chips are designed by the manufacturer specifically for this purpose, and I see no evidence to change existing private well regulations regarding their use

I copied the above and fully agree.

CommentID: 228765
 

10/30/24  6:28 pm
Commenter: Joshua Hogston

12VAC 5-630-410-F. Grouting. 6 Placement methods
 

12VAC 5-630-410-F. Grouting. 6 Placement methods
 

 This proposed section of regulation eliminates the pouring of grout in wells that calls for a 20ft or less grout depth.

This will cause an unnecessary increase in well construction cost to the citizens of Virginia. VDH has approved specific Grouting materials that are designed to be installed by gravity pour through air and water columns. 

I am requesting the language below be returned to the regulation

a. Placement using a grout pump or tremie pipe from the bottom of the annular space upward in one operation until the annular space is filled, whenever the grouting depth exceeds 20 feet. Pouring of grout is acceptable for drilled wells whenever grouting depth does not exceed 20 feet.

CommentID: 228776
 

11/2/24  11:17 am
Commenter: Charles Hancock - Gentle Rain Irrigation

Opposition to 15' Setback from Building Foundations
 

I would like to voice my opposition to the 15' setback requirement from all building foundations. This is particularly cumbersome for smaller lot sizes where a 15' setback from the foundation may not be possible for an irrigation well. Given that there is now no separation distance from a private well to termite-treated foundations, what is the justification for increasing the setback from 10' to 15'?

CommentID: 228787
 

11/2/24  12:15 pm
Commenter: Christopher Gildersleeve, C Gildersleeve Water & Land Services

New setback regualtions
 

I am in opposition to the new proposed well setback regulations. This makes it very difficult when providing a well location for our customers and will make 30-40% of our projects unable to creat a well location. To my knowledge of more than 40 years in this industry, we have not had a contamination issue with the current set back regulations.

CommentID: 228788
 

11/2/24  12:17 pm
Commenter: Christopher Gildersleeve C Gildersleeve Water & Land Services

Grouting and set back
 

I also agree with Cameron from C & G’e comment regarding the same

CommentID: 228789
 

11/2/24  12:55 pm
Commenter: Jon Acree

No to the set back
 

With new homes being built closer together, the 15’ set back will hurt homeowners and the industry. I would not like to see this pass

CommentID: 228790
 

11/2/24  1:31 pm
Commenter: Kyle Basham KB LandWorks

Well Setback
 


With new homes being built closer together, the 15’ set back will hurt homeowners and the industry. I would not like to see this pass.

CommentID: 228791
 

11/2/24  2:07 pm
Commenter: Daniels Irrigation

New 15ft setback regulation
 

I agree with C&Gs comment

CommentID: 228792
 

11/2/24  9:06 pm
Commenter: Chuck Anderson, Anderson Well Drilling, Inc.

12 VAC 5 - 630 - 410 F. Grouting Placement Methods
 

With regard to the proposed amendments to the grouting placement methods referenced above, I am opposed to these changes and agree with the comments previously made by Richard O'Dell and Robert Royall.

CommentID: 228793
 

11/3/24  5:49 am
Commenter: Bay Area Irrigation

Grouting Requirements
 

We are in opposition to the proposed well setback regulations and agree with the comments made by C & G.

CommentID: 228794
 

11/3/24  4:43 pm
Commenter: Lori Anderson, Anderson Well Drilling, Inc.

Grouting Placement Methods
 

I am opposed to the proposed changes to the regulations regarding the grouting placement methods.

CommentID: 228795
 

11/3/24  9:32 pm
Commenter: Scott Shorter, Anderson Well Drilling, Inc.

Grouting Requirements
 

I am against the proposed changes concerning the grouting placement methods. I agree with the previous comments made by Robert Royall.

CommentID: 228796
 

11/4/24  8:14 am
Commenter: Tommy Mundy

Well packer for pvc casing
 

I oppose the new requirements for a packer on all pvc cased wells. They are unavailable at this time. 

CommentID: 228797
 

11/4/24  8:19 am
Commenter: Inlet Irrigation

15’ Setback Regulation
 

I agree with C&G’s comment

CommentID: 228798
 

11/4/24  8:57 am
Commenter: Paul Shannon

Bioretention pond?
 

The term "biorentention pond" is not found in any of the DEQ Stormwater Specifications and DEQ "recommends" other setbacks such as infiltration trenches, bioretention, vegetated swales, wet ponds and extended detention ponds. Why is the no mention of these other types of BMP's and there appears to be a conflict with the recommended setback from DEQ and the new proposed setbacks?

 

CommentID: 228799
 

11/4/24  9:23 am
Commenter: Paul Shannon

Abandoned Well Setback
 

12VAC5-630-450D5 Defines setbacks to proposed onsite sewage disposal systems when the annular space can't be filled. This is defining the setback to an onsite sewage disposal system, if Chapter 630 is not supplemental to Chapter 610, wouldn't Chapter 610 be the controlling Chapter when designing an onsite sewage disposal system? Since there are no setbacks to abandoned wells in Chapter 610, how would a setback in Chapter 630 control a setback in Chapter 610? For an example, they are proposing siting a dispersal area 20' from an abandoned bored well that has no records of a grout and they only filled the inner well area, would I then deny an onsite sewage disposal application based off codes in Chapter 630?

CommentID: 228800
 

11/4/24  9:47 am
Commenter: Anonymous

Disinfection procedures for abandoning wells
 

What is the justification for using chlorine to abandon wells. If disinfection of water in the void space of the well is critical, why would it also not be required to do a disinfection of the water in the annular space prior to a grout of a well. I don't understand the public health significance of disinfecting water that will not be consumed by people. If you disinfect the water then put "clean fill" in the well that is full of pathogens and bacteria, what was accomplished? 

Also based of the new procedures the WSSP will need to disinfect the well, sample and test chlorine levels and wait 5 to 24 hours prior to abandoning the well. Is this the intent now? I think this would increase cost of the abandonment while providing no additional public health benefit.

CommentID: 228801
 

11/4/24  10:23 am
Commenter: Paul Shannon

Well Conversion
 

12VAC5-630-431G1 could be revised to be more specific, it should define what a "complete application" is. It should reference 12VAC5-630-230 as far as what a complete application is.

CommentID: 228802