15.Well Records, Documentation, Reporting & Tagging

Chapter Description

The reporting requirements in the Wells Regulation help to manage the groundwater resource and assist a person who is locating, repairing or abandoning a well. The documents provide a record of the well construction and subsurface formations which can be important in assessing spills or other environmental problems that may impair groundwater.

This chapter provides the requirements, exemptions and best management practices for:

• completing and keeping an accurate log of overburden and bedrock materials (geologic log) and field notes when constructing a test hole or dewatering well,
• completing, delivering and forwarding well records for both single and cluster test holes or dewatering wells,
• notifying the well owner or the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change when environmental problems are identified during well construction, and
• affixing and protecting well tags.

The requirements listed in this chapter do not apply to a shallow works or other exempted wells discussed in Chapter 3: Exemptions: Wells, Activities & Experienced Professionals. The requirements listed in this chapter also do not apply to a person who performs an activity on a well that is exempt from the Wells Regulation (e.g., installing sampling equipment in a test hole). For further information see Chapter 3: Exemptions: Wells, Activities & Experienced Professionals.

Regulatory Requirements – Well Records, Information, Documentation, Reporting & Tagging

Relevant Sections - The Wells Regulation

• Log and Field Notes – Section 12.1
• Well Tags – Sections 14.11 and 22
• Information – Subsections 16(2), (3), subsection 16.1(2) and subsections 16.2(2)
• Well Record (Single Well) – Section 16.3
• Well Record (Well Clusters) – Section 16.4
• Well Record (Single Well and Well Cluster Abandonment) – Section 16.5

The Requirements - Plainly Stated

Relevant Additional Regulations or Legislation

Ontario Regulation 153/04 as amended (Records of Site Condition) made under the Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter E. 19

Relevant Standards

ASTM Standard D5092-04e1 – “Standard Practice for Design and Installation of Ground Water Monitoring Wells,” (DOI: 10.1520/D5092-04E01)^{footnote 1[1]}

ASTM Standard D5434 - 09 – “Standard Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock” (DOI: 10.1520/D5434-09)^{footnote 1[1]}

ASTM Standard D6089 - 97(2010) – “Standard Guide for Documenting a Ground-Water Sampling Event” (DOI: 10.1520/D6089-97R10)^{footnote 1[1]}

Key Concepts

Log and Field Notes

Every person constructing or abandoning a test hole or dewatering well is required to keep, and have available at the well site for inspection, field notes that include an up-to-date record of the construction activities. In many cases, a log of overburden and bedrock materials is also required.

Keeping accurate field notes is important for the following reasons:

• To complete the well record and logs prepared for various hydrogeological or geotechnical reports. The information transposed onto the well record may be used by the water well industry and environmental consultants seeking information on groundwater resources in an area (see “Well Record and Well Tag” section below).
• To document construction activities, field conditions, incidents and subsurface information prior to the completion of the well record.
• To reduce confusion about which well record matches which well cluster on sites where multiple groups of wells have been constructed.

Well Record & Well Tag

Well records provide construction and general water quantity and quality information. The well tag is a unique identifier that links one or a group of test hole(s) or dewatering well(s) in the field with the well record. Well records and well tags are a notification system for use by the province, consultants, well contractors and current or future well owners to:

• provide information on the groundwater and geology of an area, including:

  • groundwater availability,
  • general idea of depth to water,
  • possible flowing well conditions, and
• provide information on well construction in an area to help well technicians anticipate equipment needs and estimated costs,
• help to protect well owners and contractors from being open to enforcement action by the Ministry or civil action between parties,
• provide information to manage the groundwater resources,
• provide information for consultants and regulators on groundwater quality and quantity issues in an area,
• provide information on the location of wells and their construction details in case of spills, and
• assist in locating existing wells when purchasing a new property to ensure they are properly maintained or abandoned (plugged and sealed).

Information from well records is compiled at the Ministry. Together, with other databases and geographical information systems (GIS), the information provides an overview of groundwater and aquifers in Ontario, including:

• types of construction, uses and locations of wells in the province,
• areas where natural gas, mineralized water or flowing wells occur,
• location of high and low static water levels in different formations and
• location of low and high-yield aquifers.

Notification

The Wells Regulation does not require testing of water quality or gas during the construction of a test hole or dewatering well. Testing is typically completed after the well is ready to be put into operation by the well owner, an agent representing the well owner, or by another person.

If a person constructing a test hole or dewatering well identifies a gas or water quality issue, there may be an obligation on the person to report the issue. For example, the person constructing the well must immediately notify the well purchaser and the owner of the land on which the well is located if natural gas is encountered to:

• protect drinking water supplies,
• protect the environment and property,
• protect health and safety, and
• take additional precautions (e.g., safely disperse gas).

When a test hole or dewatering well is being constructed and natural gas is encountered, the person constructing the well must also immediately notify the Director (e.g., Spills Action Centre 1-800-268-6060) of the condition.

Log and Field Notes

The Wells Regulation - Unless otherwise exempt, a person constructing a well is required to make a log of overburden and bedrock materials and field notes that include an up-to-date record of the construction or abandonment of the well during construction or abandonment of a well.

A log of the overburden and bedrock is not required if the person is:

• constructing a well by the use of a driven point,
• altering a well without deepening it,
• installing a pump (including associated equipment and alterations necessary to install the equipment), or
• abandoning a well.

Making visual observations of a formation is difficult when constructing a well by the use of a driven point. Also, as observations of subsurface formations were documented during the initial construction of a well, little information would be gained regarding subsurface formations when installing equipment or making most other alterations to an existing well.

If direct push technology is used to construct the well, without the use of a driven point, then a log of the overburden and bedrock is required.

Reminder: See Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-1 for the definition of the term “construct” and Table 2-3 for clarification of the terms “pump”, “well abandonment” and “driven point/use of a driven point”.

The Wells Regulation - The field notes and, when required, the log of overburden and bedrock materials must be available for inspection at the well site during construction or abandonment of a well.

Reminder: The person working at the abandonment of a well can assist the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, in completing the field notes. For clarification of the term “person abandoning the well” see the note in the “General Notes on Well Record Delivery” section of this chapter.

Reminder: Table 6-5: Particle Sizes for Overburden Material in Chapter 6: Constructing the Hole, Casing & Covering the Test Hole & Dewatering Well can be used as an aid to describing overburden material.

Reminder: Refer to ASTM D6089 - 97(2010) – “Standard Guide for Documenting a Ground-Water Sampling Event” and ASTM Standard D5434 - 09 – “Standard Guide for Field Logging of Subsurface Explorations of Soil and Rock” for further details regarding sampling log standards and guidelines.

Records of Site Condition Regulation: Starting on July 1, 2011, amendments to O. Reg. 153/04 came into force and apply to phase two environmental site assessments (ESAs) conducted in support of records of site conditions (RSCs). For any such ESA, there are many sampling, analysis and other observations that a qualified person conducting or supervising the ESA must report. Therefore, it is important for the qualified person to ensure the best logging practices are used to record and document observations in support of a RSC. Please refer to O. Reg. 153/04 for the details.

As an example of a reporting requirement in O. Reg. 153/04, the qualified person shall ensure that field logs are recorded and finalized for all intrusive investigation points and test holes in the field investigation to document the soil conditions on, in or under the phase two property. A finalized field log shall include,

1. a unique identification number,
2. the date,
3. a description of type and condition of geologic material encountered,
4. a description of type and condition of other material encountered,
5. the soil colour,
6. the soil vapour measurement from field screening for volatile contaminants, including volatile organic compounds,
7. the soil moisture content, using a qualitative description,
8. the observations concerning the soil,
9. the identification of soil samples sent for laboratory analysis,
10. the soil sample depths,
11. the soil sampling methods,
12. evidence of free flowing product,
13. the total depth drilled, and
14. any drilling refusal.

Sample Log Book Entry

As shown in Figure 15-1, observations of overburden and bedrock materials, construction, groundwater quantity and groundwater quality information are recorded in the log book. Observations recorded in the log book can then be reported on a well record. A copy of this log can be found in the “Tools” section of this chapter and copies can be made for use in the field. Log books can vary depending on the type of construction or reason for the test hole or dewatering well.

Figure 15-1: Sample Log Book Entry

Figure 15-1 shows a sample log book entry

The upper left box states:

• Log
• Name of Well Technician
• Date work complete (YY/MM/DD)

The upper right box states:

• Measurement recorded in: (metric or imperial)

The Well Owner and Location Information box states:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Address of Well Location (Street Name and Number)
• Township
• Lot
• Concession
• Country/District/Municipality
• City/Town/Village
• UTM Coordinates: Zone, Easting, Northing

Geo – Log Box (located immediately below Well Owner and Location Information Box): (Colours: White, Greg, Blue, Green, Yellow, Brown, Red, Black)

(Materials: Fill, Muck, Peat, Clay, Silt, Gravel, Stones, Boulders, Top Soil, Limestone, Fine Sand, Medium Sand, Coarse Sand, Dolomite, Shale, Sandstone, Slate, Quartzite, Granite, Greenstone)

(General Description: Loose, Porous, Dense, Packed, Cemented, Layered, Soft, Hard, Previously Dug or Bored, Previously Drilled, Wood Fragments)

• Headings – General Colour, Most Common Material, Other Materials, General Description, Comments, Depth (metres/feet): From – To
• Rows 1 to 13 are blank

Map of Well Location Box (located on the left side below Geo – log box): (There are three examples of how to draw a map in rural areas, urban areas and lot/concession numbers not known)

• There is a plan view map showing the well located 4.1 kilometres north of highway 66 east, 300 metres east of Baseline Road, and 20.1 metres north of a building

Results of Well Yield Testing Box (located on the right side below Geo – log box):

• After test of well yield – clear and free of sand
• If pumping discontinued, give reason – none
• Pump intake set at – 15.24 metres
• Pumping rate - 26.5 litres per minute
• Duration of Pumping – 1 hour
• Final water level end of pumping – 11.3 metres
• Disinfected – yes
• Drawdown:
  • static water level: 2.4 metres,
  • 1 minute of pumping: 3.04 metres
  • 2 minute of pumping: 3.7 metres
  • 3 minute of pumping: 4.9 metres
  • 4 minute of pumping: 5.5 metres
  • 5 minute of pumping: 6.7 metres
  • 10 minute of pumping: 10.9 metres
  • 15 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
  • 20 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
  • 30 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
  • 40 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
  • 50 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
  • 60 minute of pumping: 11.27 metres
• Recovery:
  • 1 minute of recovery: 11 metres
  • 2 minute of recovery: 10.36 metres
  • 3 minute of recovery: 8.5 metres
  • 4 minute of recovery: 7.9 metres
  • 5 minute of recovery: 7.01 metres
  • 10 minute of recovery: 6.7 metres
  • 15 minute of recovery: 5.5 metres
  • 20 minute of recovery: 3.96 metres
  • 30 minute of recovery: 3.04 metres
  • 40 minute of recovery: 2.4 metres
  • 50 minute of recovery: 2.4 metres
  • 60 minute of recovery: 2.4 metres

Construction Record – Screen Box (located below Results of Well Yield Testing Box):

• Outside diameter – Not filled out
• Material – Not filled out
• Slot # - Not filled out
• Diameter (From – to) – Not filled out

Construction Record – Casing Box (located below Construction Record – Screen Box):

• Inside diameter – 15.88 centimetres
• Open hole or material – steel
• Wall thickness – 0.477 centimetres
• Depth – from 0 to 11 metres
• Lengths of casing brought to job site in metres – 6,6 6,10, 6, 6, 3
• Lengths of casing installed in well in metres – 6, 6

Water Details Box (located below Map of Well Location Box):

• Water found at Depth – 12.8 metres
• Kind of water – fresh

Hole Diameter Box (located below Map of Well Location Box and to the right of the Water Details Box):

• Depth – from 0 to 11 metres with a diameter of 2.54 centimetres
• Depth – from 11 to 16.76 metres with a diameter of 15.56 centimetres

Annular Space Box (located below the Water Details Box):

• Depth – from 0 to 11 metres
• Material – bentonite
• Number of bags placed - 3

Well Owner’s Information Package (located below the Hole Diameter Box):

• Yes
• Date Package Delivered – 05/07/21

Well Record Exemption

There are exemptions for the completion of a well record for certain types of activities that involve test holes and dewatering well. The circumstances when a well record is not necessary are described in this section.

A person who performs a “minor alteration” or installs a pump in a test hole or dewatering well is not required to complete and submit a well record, unless there is a damaged well tag. The physical structure of a test hole or dewatering well is not significantly altered when a person installs a pump or performs a “minor alteration”. In these cases, there is no major change to the structure of a test hole or dewatering well to be documented on a well record.

Reminder: For further information on when to complete a well record for a damaged well tag, see “Replacement of Damaged Well Tag and Well Record Completion” in the “Plainly Stated” section of this chapter and the “Broken, Defaced, Illegible or Unusable Well Tags” section in this chapter.

The person constructing the well is not required to complete a well record for the construction, including an alteration, of a new test hole or dewatering well, if the well is abandoned within 30 days of the completion of the well’s structural stage. Also, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, is not required to complete a well record for the abandonment of a test hole or dewatering well if the well is abandoned within 30 days after the date on which its structural stage is complete.

The reporting requirements of the Wells Regulation capture the construction, alteration and abandonment of long term (>30 days) test holes and dewatering wells. For example, the Ministry expects a well record for a new test hole that will monitor the long term groundwater impact of a waste disposal site or for a dewatering well that will be pumping contaminated groundwater to contain a spill. Well records also have to be submitted for the abandonment of these wells in these circumstances.

Reminder: For further information on the terms “minor alteration”, “pump” and “well’s structural stage completion” see Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarification, Table 2-1.

Well Record Information

Unless exempt, a test hole or dewatering well will typically have multiple well records during its life. For example, a well could have a well record for construction, another if the well is altered and a third when it is abandoned.

There are 2 kinds of well records that may be completed and submitted for test holes and dewatering wells:

1. Single Well Record – Used to report the construction or abandonment of one test hole or dewatering well.
2. Well Record for Well Cluster – Used to report the construction or abandonment of a group of test holes or dewatering wells that meet the specific criteria outlined in the Wells Regulation (see the “Plainly Stated” section at the beginning of this chapter).

When to Complete a Well Record for a Single Well

The Wells Regulation - Unless otherwise exempt, the person constructing the well must complete and submit a separate well record for a single test hole or dewatering well for the following well construction activities:

• New well construction
• Making an alteration to a well other than a minor alteration or installing a pump. This includes a well that was part of a group of wells that was originally reported on one well record, also known as a well cluster
• Making a minor alteration to a well or installing a pump in or on a well where the well tag is broken, defaced, illegible or otherwise unusable

The Wells Regulation - Unless otherwise exempt, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must complete and submit a separate well record for the proper abandonment of a single test hole or dewatering well.

Reminder: See the “General Notes on Well Record Delivery” section in this chapter for further clarification on the term “person abandoning the well”. See Chapter 17: Abandonment: How to Plug & Seal Test Holes & Dewatering Wells for information on proper well abandonment.

Reminder: For further information on the terms “minor alteration”, “pump” and “well’s structural stage completion” see Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarification, Table 2-1. See the “Well Record Exemption” section in this chapter for further information on exemptions.

When the Option of Completing a Well Record for a Well Cluster Can Be Used

“Well cluster”

means a group of wells for which the person constructing the wells may complete one well record under subsection 16.4(1) of the Wells Regulation.

Reminder: See Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-1 for the term “well cluster” and the “Plainly Stated” section of this chapter for further clarification on the circumstances when a group of wells can be reported on one well record form for a “well cluster”.

The Wells Regulation: If the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met, the person constructing the wells may choose to complete a well record form for a “well cluster” for the construction of multiple new test holes or dewatering wells.

The Wells Regulation: If the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option for Abandonment Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met, the person abandoning the well may choose to complete a well record form for a “well cluster” for the abandonment of test holes or dewatering wells that originally were part of a well cluster.

Reminder: A well record form for a “well cluster” is made up of three parts:

• a Well Record for Well Cluster form - Part 1 of 3
• a Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 2 of 3 Land Owners Consent and
• a Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations

Diagrams Showing How to Determine If a Test Hole or Dewatering is Part of a Well Cluster

Figure 15-2 to Figure 15-8 show plan view illustrations for test holes or dewatering wells that may, or may not, be considered as part of a well cluster. Explanations of how this was determined are also provided under the figures.

Reminder: Only test holes or dewatering wells can be part of a well cluster.

Reminder: All figures and diagrams are for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily represent full compliance with other requirements found in the Wells Regulation. The illustrations and graphics may not depict every circumstance.

Reminder: The well record must be delivered to the well purchaser, each owner of the land (or property) and the Director in the time frames found in the “Construction - Delivery Requirement for Well Cluster” and “Abandonment - Delivery Requirement for Well Cluster” parts of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter. To be in compliance with the required time frames for well record submission, the multiple test holes or dewatering wells reported on a Well Record for Well Cluster must be constructed, or abandoned, within the time periods specified in the Wells Regulation.

Figure 15-2: Example of Wells on Adjacent Properties

A straight line is drawn between a well on property 1 and a well on property 3. The straight line between the wells has determined that properties 1 and 3 are adjacent to one another. Therefore, all test holes or dewatering wells on properties 1 and 3 can be part of a well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-3: Example of Wells on Properties with One Intervening Property and a Road

A straight line is drawn between a well on property 1 and a well on property 14. The straight line between the wells has determined that one (1) intervening property (property 3) is between the well on property 1 and a well on property 14. The road does not count as an intervening property in this situation. Therefore, the five (5) test holes or dewatering wells on properties 1 and 14 can be part of a well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-4: Example of Wells on Properties With Two or More Intervening Properties and a Road

A straight line is drawn between a well on property 1 and a well on property 9. The straight line between the wells has determined that two (2) intervening properties (properties 7 and 8) are between the well on property 1 and the well on property 9. The road does not count as an intervening property in this situation. Therefore, the two (2) test holes or dewatering wells on properties 1 and 9 can be part of the well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

A straight line is drawn between a well on property 1 and a well on property 6. The straight line between the wells has determined that three (3) intervening properties (properties 3, 4 and 5) are between the well on property 1 and the well on property 6. If a straight line is drawn between the well on property 6 and the well on property 9, the line would also pass through 3 intervening properties. Therefore, the one test hole or dewatering well on property 6 cannot be part of the well cluster because the maximum number of intervening properties can only be one (1) or two (2) properties.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-5: Example of Wells on Properties Near a Road

A straight line is drawn between a well on property 1 and a well on property 11. Part of the straight line between the wells extends across a road. There are more properties on the left side of the road compared to the right side. Therefore, the right side of the road (i.e., the side with the fewest properties) is used to determine the number of intervening properties between the wells. In this case, property 8 is considered to be across the road from property 1. There are two (2) intervening properties between property 8 and the well on property 11. Therefore, the two (2) test holes or dewatering wells on properties 1 and 11 can be part of the well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

As an alternative, a straight line is drawn between the well on property 1 and the well on property 11. The straight line between the wells has determined that two (2) intervening properties (properties 2 and 10) are between the well on property 1 and the well on property 11. The road does not count as an intervening property in this situation. Therefore, the two (2) test holes or dewatering wells on properties 1 and 11 can be part of the well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-6: Example of a Well on a Property and a Well on a Road

A straight line is drawn between the well on property 1 and the well on the road between properties 9 and 16. Part of the straight line is between the boundaries of a road. There are more properties on the left side of the road compared to the right side. Therefore, the right side of the road (i.e., the side with the fewest properties) is used to determine the number of intervening properties between wells. In this case, property 16 is considered to be beside the well on the road and property 10 is considered to be beside the well on property 1. There are five (5) intervening properties (properties 11 to 15) between property 10 and property 16. Therefore, the one test hole or dewatering well on property 1 and the other well on the road cannot be part of the well cluster because the maximum number of intervening properties can only be one (1) or two (2) properties.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-7: Second Example of a Well on a Property and a Well on a Road

A straight line is drawn between the well on property 1 and the well on the road beside properties 6 and 12. Part of the straight line is between the boundaries of a road. There are more properties on the left side of the road compared to the right side. Therefore, the right side of the road (i.e., the side with the fewest properties) is used to determine the number of intervening properties between wells. In this case, property 12 is considered to be beside the well on the road and property 10 is considered to be beside the well on property 1. There is one (1) intervening property (property 11) between property 10 and property 12. Therefore, the one test hole or dewatering well on property 1 and the other well on the road can be part of the well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Figure 15-8: Example of Wells on a Road

A straight line is drawn on the road from the upper well through the middle well and to the lower well. In the Figure 15-8 example, the road is owned by one person. An example of a person is a municipality. The straight line is within the boundaries of a road. The road is considered one property. Therefore, the three (3) test holes or dewatering wells on the road can be part of the well cluster as long as the conditions found in the “Circumstances When Well Cluster Option Applies” part of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter are met.

Reminder: The diagram above is not to scale and is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only.

Considerations When Completing a Well Record for a Single Well

A person who is required to complete a well record must follow the instructions on the well record. The instructions for completing a well record after construction or abandonment of a single well are found on the back of the well record form. The well record includes instructions on how to observe and report the formation’s texture (grain size), colour, hardness of the formations and other observations. See Figure 15-9 to Figure 15-21 for further information on completing the well record for a single well.

The person altering or abandoning an existing well must, as a minimum, complete the mandatory sections of the well record as stated in the instructions found on the back of the well record. The mandatory sections of the well record are not shaded.

It is not necessary to complete a well record when installing a pump or performing a minor alteration, unless the well tag is broken, defaced, illegible or otherwise unusable (see the “Broken, Defaced, Illegible or Unusable Well Tags,” section of this chapter).

There are also well tagging requirements that come into effect when altering a test hole or dewatering well in a well cluster (see the “Well Tags” section of this chapter).

When completing a well record for a single test hole or dewatering well, the person constructing the test hole or dewatering well must record the static water level that s/he is required to measure. The information must be recorded in the Results of Well Yield Testing section of the well record when completing a well record for a single well. For additional information on the requirement to measure the static water level, see Chapter 13: Water Level Measurements, Aquifer Testing & Discharge Water Handling.

Considerations When Completing a Well Record for a Well Cluster

Currently the well record form for a “well cluster” consists of three parts. The first part is called a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 1 of 3. The second part is called Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent. The third part is called Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations.

The instructions for completing the well record form for a “well cluster” are found on the front and back of the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 1 of 3, on the front of the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent and on the front of the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations.

The Wells Regulation: In addition to the requirements stated on the front and/or back of the three parts, the person who constructs a group of test holes or dewatering wells and completes a well record for a well cluster must:

• indicate on the well record, in a convenient, concise and comprehensive manner, which of the wells share common features, such as diameter, construction technique, casing, venting, pumps and method of abandonment,
• include on the well record a statement that all the required written consents, from each owner of land on which a well in the group is situated, have been given, and
• include on the well record a statement that the person constructing the well will promptly submit to the Director, on request, any additional information in the person’s custody or control related to any well in the well cluster that the person has constructed.

Details recorded on the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent must include:

• Well numbers from the Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations
• Each property location description
• Each land owner’s name
• Signature of each land owner
• Date signed

The Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations must:

• have a scale,
• have labels on all properties and show property boundaries,
• show and label all named roads,
• show the location and number of each well in the well cluster,
• provide Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates beside each well, if space permits,
• display at least two separate distances from the well to other structures, roads or watercourses, and
• have a North arrow.

Reminder: The Wells Regulation allows the Ministry to require the person constructing or abandoning the test hole or dewatering well to follow the instructions on the well record form for a “well cluster”. Thus, these instructions are not specifically listed in the Wells Regulation.

A fully completed multiple page well record form for a “well cluster” with detailed map provides the well owner, regulators, well contractors and consultants with an accurate location of all wells and the wells’ general construction details.

Units of Measurement

The single well record form and well record form for a “well cluster” allow for the use of Imperial units or metric units. A check box, found at the top of the well record, allows for the selection of metric or Imperial units. The unit system chosen must be used consistently throughout the well record. If a measurement is being reported in metres, it must be reported to the nearest tenth of a metre (e.g., 20.3 m).

Completing The Well Record for a Single Well

Figure 15-9 to Figure 15-21 provides an explanation of how to complete a well record

Figure 15-9: Single Well Record - General Information

Well Tag Number

• This must match the well tag provided by the Ministry that is permanently affixed to the casing or another structure associated with the well. The well tag sticker provided in the well tag package should be used where a new well tag is affixed to the well to prevent errors in copying the number.

Page Number

• If more information needs to be recorded than can fit on one well record form, then an additional well record form must be filled out and labelled page 2.
• If there are two pages, the forms would read “Page 1 of 2” and “Page 2 of 2”, respectively
• Any additional pages must indicate the same well tag number
• All pages would constitute a single well record

Measurements

• The box for the chosen unit system must be checked
• Measurements must be recorded in the units specified in the well record sections
• The unit system chosen must be used consistently throughout the well record

Figure 15-10: Single Well Record - Well Owner Infomation

Well Owner Information

• All applicable sections must be completed
• This can be information on the owner of the land on which the well is located or the well purchaser
• If the well owner is an organization or company, the word “Organization” must be circled and the name of the entity must be printed in the “Last Name/Organization” field

Information Package

• This section must be completed
• As the information package is not required to be delivered for test holes or dewatering wells, “No” can be checked off

Figure 15-11: Single Well Record - Well Contractor and Well Technician

Well Contractor and Well Technician Information

• This box provides information about the individual and company who constructed the well and must be fully completed by the person constructing the well except for the following situations:
  • If the person who constructed the well is an exempted professional who is permitted to construct wells without a licence (see Chapter 4: Test Hole & Dewatering Well Construction Licences: Obtaining, Maintaining & Exemptions), the person must record his/her name in the “Name of Well Technician” box, sign the “Signature of Technician” and provide his/her company’s particulars
  • If the test hole or dewatering well was constructed by the owner of the land, a member of the person’s household or a person working without compensation for the owner of the land, the person constructing the well must record his/her name in the “Name of Well Technician” box and sign in the “Signature of Technician and/or Contractor” box. The words “Well Technician” and “Contractor” should be crossed out and the changes initialled
  • If the test hole or dewatering well was abandoned, information about the person who works at the well abandonment may be recorded in this section

Figure 15-12: SingleWell Record - Well Location

Well Location

• It is important to accurately record the location the well. Inaccurate location information on the well record can lead to problems locating the well in the field. Location information includes the following:

  • Street number/name, city/town/village must be provided if available
  • Original geographic township, concession and lot must be reported if the well is located in an area where such information exists
  • Fire locator number may also be recorded in the “Other” box
  • UTM Coordinates must be recorded using a GPS unit
  • Municipal plan and sublot numbers may be provided if available
  • Current county or district/amalgamated municipality or township, if reported, should be entered under “County/District/Municipality.” For example, in the County of Frontenac/Township of South Frontenac, the Township of South Frontenac is the amalgamated township. If the townships were amalgamated, the old and new township names should be included, if known

Figure 15-13: Single Well Record - Map of Single Well Location

Map of Well Location

• A map showing all property boundaries must be provided. At least two measurements sufficient to locate the well in relation to fixed points must be provided. For example:
  • In rural areas, one distance should be taken from a road and other from either a road or a township lot line (example A, below)
  • In a village, town or city, both distances should be taken from named streets (example B)
  • In areas where it is difficult to obtain lot and concession numbers, sufficient information should be supplied in the diagram so that the well can be related to a known unit such as a main highway, railway, or municipality (examples C and D)
• Detailed drawings can be provided as attachments on paper no larger than the size of the well record (8.5 inches by 14 inches)
• A North arrow must be included on the diagram.
• The “Comment” box may be used to record any additional information such as the elevation of the well. It is also an appropriate location to state whether or not hydrofracturing or blasting was done at the time of construction (see the BMP on this page)
• The “Comment” box is also an appropriate place to reference the original well tag when a well tag is replaced and original well record number for an alteration
• It is important to review the directions given on the back of the well record

Figure 15-14: Single Well Record - Overburden and Bedrock Materials/ Abandonment Sealing Record

Overburden and Bedrock Materials/ Abandonment Sealing Record

• If a person is plugging and sealing a well, the abandonment details must be recorded in this section. The type of abandonment barrier (sealant) used must be indicated in the “General Description” column and the depth of sealant must be indicated in the “Depth” column

• If a person is constructing a well:

  • For each formation encountered during construction, words chosen from the lists provided on the back of the well record that best describe the formation on the basis of general colour, most common material, other materials and general description of the formation must be used
  • Instructions are found on the back of the well record and shown below

    General Colours:

    • White
    • Grey
    • Blue
    • Green
    • Yellow
    • Brown
    • Red
    • Black

    Materials:

    • Fill
    • Muck
    • Peat
    • Clay
    • Silt
    • Gravel
    • Stones
    • Boulders
    • Top Soil
    • Limestone
    • Fine Sand
    • Medium Sand
    • Coarse Sand
    • Dolomite
    • Shale
    • Sandstone
    • Slate
    • Quartzite
    • Granite
    • Greenstone

    General Descriptions:

    • Loose
    • Porous
    • Dense
    • Packed
    • Cemented
    • Layered
    • Soft
    • Hard
    • Previously Dug or Bored
    • Previously Drilled
    • Wood Fragments

    Clay: Composed of very fine particles. Forms dense hard lumps or clods when dry and a very elastic putty-like mass when wet. It can be rolled between fingers to form a long, flexible ribbon.

    Silt: Grain size, midway between sand and clay. It may form clods which, when broken, feel soft and floury. When moist, it will form a cast that can be handled freely without breaking. Rolled between thumb and finger, it will not “ribbon” but will give a broken appearance.

    Sand: Grain are loose and granular and may be seen and felt readily. Squeezed in the hand when dry, it falls apart when the pressure is released. Squeezed when moist, it will form a cast that will crumble when touched. Should be listed as fine, medium or coarse.

    Gravel: Rock fragments greater than 0.3 cm in diameter

• An example of a completed section is provided below and found on the back of the well record:

  Example of a Completed Section

  General Colours	Most Common Material	Other Materials	General Descriptions	Depth From	Depth To
  Brown	Top Soil	n/a	n/a	0	0.6
  Grey	Coarse Sand	Gravel, Silt	Loose, Wood Fragments	0.6	13.0
  Blue	Clay	Silt, Stones	Dense	13.0	25.0
  Brown	Fine Sand	Clay	n/a	25.0	31.0
  Grey	Limestone	n/a	Porous, Hard	31.0	34.0

Figure 15-15: Single Well Record - Well Use

Well Use

Well use

means the intended purpose at the time of construction

• For the purposes of test holes and dewatering wells the following will apply:
  • Test Hole – a well that is made to test or to obtain information in respect of groundwater or an aquifer and is not intended as a source of water for agriculture or human consumption
  • Dewatering – a well that is not used or intended for use as a source of water for agriculture or human consumption and that is made to lower or control the level of groundwater in the area of the well, or to remove materials that may be in the groundwater
  • Monitoring – a well that is made to test or to obtain information in respect of groundwater or an aquifer and is not intended as a source of water for agriculture or human consumption
  • Other – e.g., communal such as water supply that serves a small rural sub-division
• In the situation where a test hole or dewatering well for a sub-division is then going to be used as a domestic water supply, all boxes that apply should be checked (original and future purposes)
• For the purposes of the Wells Regulation and the well record completion, “Test Hole” and “Monitoring” are synonymous

Figure 15-16: Single Well Record - Method of Well Construction & Status of Well

Status of Well

• This section is used to identify the status of the well at the time of completion. All boxes that apply should be checked

Method of Construction

• The construction method used is identified by checking the appropriate box or boxes if more than one system is used (e.g., rotary conventional and air percussion). If the method used is not part of the list, the “Other, specify” box must be checked and the method must be described (e.g.,sonic or direct push)

Figure 15-17: Single Well Record - Construction Record - Casing

Construction Record - Casing

• Material means type of manufactured material used to make the casing
• An interval without casing must be reported as “open hole”
• Wall thickness means minimum or nominal wall thickness
• A new line should be filled in for every change in casing (e.g., material, inside diameter or wall thickness) or open hole diameter
• All depths must be expressed from the ground surface at the time of construction. The amount of casing above the ground surface should be expressed with “+”. For example, a contractor installs casing +0.6 m above the ground surface and extends the casing to 7 m below the ground surface
• Joint and packer depths from ground surface should be recorded (see the best management practice below)

Figure 15-18: Single Well Record - Construction Record - Well Screen and Hole Diameter

Construction Record - Screen

• Material can also include pre-packed well screens and unsealed concrete tiles or other material installed in a well to filter out particulate matter
• Slot number as provided by the manufacturer must be recorded
• Depth includes top of riser pipe, if applicable
• All depths must be expressed from the ground surface at the time of construction

Hole Diameter

• The diameter and depth of the hole must be recorded using the measurement unit system chosen at the top of the well record (metric or Imperial)
• The depth of the hole relative to the ground surface must be recorded

Figure 15-19: Single Well Record - Annular Space

Annular Space

• “Depth set at” relative to the ground surface must be recorded
• The type of suitable sealant installed in the annular space must be recorded
• “Depth set at” and “volume placed” in the measurement units indicated at the top of the well record (metric or Imperial) must be recorded
• The volumes of sealant placed must be shown as either m³ or ft³
• “Volume placed” (see Chapter 7: Annular Space & Sealing, Calculating Amount of Material Required section) must be calculated
• Type of Sealant Used:
  • “Material” means sodium bentonite, cement, concrete and other suitable sealants
  • “Type” means trademark name of the product

Figure 15-20: Single Well Record - Water Details

Water Details

• The distance from the ground surface to the water bearing formation(s), or horizon(s), where water is found must be recorded. Also, if naturally occurring or other gas is found then it must be recorded
• The same measurement unit system chosen at the top of the well record (metric or Imperial) must be used consistently
• The correct box for the type of water found must be checked:
  • “Fresh water” means that there are no taste, odour or colour issues with the well water in the field (Field testing equipment should be used instead of tasting well water to avoid drinking potentially contaminated or non-potable water)
  • “Other” could include mineralized water (see definition in Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-1)
• If gas is encountered, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change must be contacted (see “Notifications” section in this chapter)

Figure 15-21: Single Well Record - Well Yield

Disinfected

• Typically will be “no” as this is not required for test holes and dewatering wells

Results of Well Yield Testing (Static Level Box)

• When a static water level measurement is required, it must be recorded in the “static level” box in this section
• See Chapter 13: Water Level Measurements, Aquifer Testing & Discharge Water Handling for information on when the static water level is to be measured in a test hole or dewatering well
• Other information is not required to be completed in “Results of Well Yield Testing” section for a test hole or dewatering well

Completing a Well Record Form for a "Well Cluster"

Figure 15-22 to Figure 15-35 provide an explanation of how to complete a Well Record for Well Cluster Part 1 of 3. This process involves accurately completing the Well Record for Well Cluster. A completed well record form for “well cluster” also includes a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owners Consent (see Figure 15-36) and a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations (see Figure 15-37).

Figure 15-22 Well Record for Well Cluster - Measurements

Measurements

• The box for the chosen unit system must be checked
• Measurements must be recorded in the units specified in the Well Record for Well Cluster sections
• The unit system chosen must be used consistently throughout the Well Record for Well Cluster

Figure 15-23: Well Record for Well Cluster - Well Tag and Page Numbering

Well Tag Number

• This must match the well tag provided by the Ministry that is permanently affixed to the casing of the deepest well in the Well Cluster or another structure associated with that well. The well tag sticker provided in the well tag package should be used where a new well tag is affixed to the well to prevent errors in copying the number
• Also, the person must clearly identify the well with the well tag on the Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 3 of 3 - Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations
• If a well tag is affixed to the well(s) being abandoned, the person abandoning the well must record the well tag number for the well abandonment
• If a tag is not affixed to the well(s) being abandoned, the person abandoning the well(s) should record the well tag number for the original cluster

Page Number

• If more information needs to be recorded than can fit on one Well Record for Well Cluster Part 1 of 3, then an additional Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 1 of 3 page must be filled out and labelled page 2
• If there are two pages, the pages would read “Page 1 of 2” and “Page 2 of 2”, respectively
• Any additional pages must indicate the same well tag number and the Well Number of the deepest well in the Well cluster
• These pages plus the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent and Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations constitute a Well Record form for a Well Cluster

Figure 15-24: Well Record for Well Cluster - Location, Address

Well Cluster Location Information - Address

• Where available, the person completing the form must record the street name(s), street number(s) and/or rural route numbers for all properties in the well cluster
• City/town/village must be provided
• If there is not enough room refer persons to the Land Owner Consent form for all well location information

Well Cluster Location Information – Lot(s) and Concession(s)

• Where available, the person completing the form must record all municipal lots and concessions for all properties in the well cluster
• These numbers are more commonly used in rural areas

Figure 15-25: Well Record for Well Cluster - Location, Township

Well Cluster Location Information – Geographic Township

• Where available, the person completing the form must record the former Township for an area that has gone through amalgamation, renaming or re-organization
• For example, the “Township of Hawley” became part of the “Greater City of Sudbury”. If a person is constructing test holes or dewatering wells in this area, the person must record “Hawley” in the Geographic Township box

Well Cluster Location Information – County or District/Upper Tier Municipality

• The person completing the page must record the County or District and, if applicable, the Upper Tier Municipality
• For example, a number of townships amalgamated to form the Township of Central Frontenac in the County of Frontenac. If a person is constructing or abandoning test holes or dewatering wells in this area, the person must record “Frontenac County/Central Frontenac Township” in this box

Figure 15-26: Well Record for Well Cluster - Mandatory Attachments and Additional Information

Mandatory Attachments

• Boxes are already checked on the form to remind the person constructing or abandoning the test holes or dewatering wells that s/he must attach a Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent and a Well Record for Well Cluster - Part 3of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations form in order for this record to comply with the Wells Regulation
• The person constructing or abandoning the test holes or dewatering wells must sign and date (year/month/day) the Well Record for Well Cluster form in this box

Figure 15-27: Well Record for Well Cluster - Well Number and UTM Coordinates

GPS

• The person must record the GPS unit, model and mode of operation that is used to record the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates of each well
• When applicable, the person must specify any differentiated unit mode of operation

Well No. on Drawing

• To help identify the well, the person constructing or abandoning the test hole or dewatering well must record a Well Number of his/her choosing for each test hole or dewatering well in the well cluster
• This number must correspond to the Well Number used on the Detailed Drawing and also on the Land Owner Consent form

UTM Coordinates

• The person must record the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) reading for each test hole or dewatering well in the well cluster
• The UTM coordinates must correspond to the reading the person obtains from his/her GPS unit in the field for each test hole or dewatering well
• If space permits, the UTM Coordinates must also be recorded beside the corresponding Well Number on the Detailed Drawing

Figure 15-28: Well Record for Well Cluster - Hole Diameter

Hole Depth

• The person must record the depth of each test hole or dewatering well that is being constructed or abandoned using the measurement unit system chosen
• If the unit system is metric, the measurement must be recorded in metres. If the unit system is Imperial, the measurement must be recorded in feet
• The depth is the distance from the ground surface at the time of construction or abandonment of the well to the bottom of the well

Hole Diameter

• The person constructing or abandoning a well must record the diameter of each test hole or dewatering well using either metric or Imperial units as indicated in the check box at the top of the page
• If the unit system is metric, the measurement must be recorded in centimetres. If the unit system is Imperial, the measurement must be recorded in inches
• If the diameter changes over the depth of the hole, the depth followed by the diameter must be recorded
• If more space is necessary, the person can use the row immediately below the initial row that is being filled
• For example, if the first 6 metres of the hole has a diameter of 25.4 centimetres and the next 6 to 20 metres below the ground surface has a diameter of 15.9 centimetres, the person can record “0-6 m:25.4 cm” on the first row and then the person can record 6-20 m:15.9 cm on the next row immediately below.

  

Figure 15-29: Well Record for Well Cluster - Construction Method and Casing

Method of Construction

• The person constructing the well must record the method of construction for each test hole or dewatering well that is being constructed
• Some construction methods used are: rotary conventional, rotary (air), rotary (water), rotary (mud), dual rotary, air percussion, sonic drilling, direct push, augering, boring, digging, driving, jetting, diamond drilling or cable tool

Casing Material; Diameter and Depth

• The person constructing the well must record the type of casing installed in the well, the outside diameter of the casing and depth of casing
• If the unit system is metric, the person must record the measurement for length in metres and for diameter in centimetres. If the unit system is Imperial, the person must record the measurement for length in feet and diameter in inches
• If more space is necessary, the person can use the row immediately below the initial row that is being filled.
• For example, the person installed a steel casing with an outside casing diameter of 16.0 centimetres in the upper 6 metres of the hole. A plastic casing with an outside diameter of 10.0 centimetres is installed within and below the larger casing from 5.5 to 20 metres below the ground surface. The person can record the casings on the form as shown below.

  

Figure 15-30: Well Record for Well Cluster - Well Screen and Annular Space

Well Screen Interval

• The person constructing the well must record the location of well screen interval if present
• If the unit system is metric, the person must record the measurement for length in metres. If the unit system is Imperial, the person must record the measurement for length in feet

Annular Space Material

• The person constructing the well must record the type and depth of the material placed in the annular space of each test hole and dewatering well, if present,
• If the unit system is metric, the person must record the measurement for length in metres. If the unit system is Imperial, the person must record the measurement for length in feet
• If more space is necessary, the person can use the row immediately below the initial row that is being filled
• For example, the person placed sand material in the annular space around a well screen and casing from 15 to 20 metres below the ground surface. The person also placed a bentonite slurry suitable sealant in the annular space of the same well from ground surface to 15 metres below ground surface. The person can record the annular space filling record as shown below.

  

Figure 15-31: Well Record for Well Cluster - Overburden/Bedrock or Abandonment Filling Materials Intervals

Overburden/Bedrock or Abandonment Filling Materials Intervals

• For the construction of each test hole, the person constructing the well must record the type and interval of overburden or bedrock materials
• If the unit system is metric, the person must record the measurement for length in metres. If the unit system is imperial, the person must record the measurement for length in feet
• If more space is necessary, the person can use the row immediately below the initial row that is being filled
• For each formation encountered during construction, the person can use the short forms for some common materials that are listed on the back of the form These include Basalt: BSLT; Dolomite: DLMT; Gneiss: GNIS; Granite: GRNT; Gravel: GRVL; Gypsum: GYPS; Limestone: LMSN; Marble: MRBL; Sandstone: SNDS
• As an example, a 40 metres deep test hole could be recorded as 0-3.5 m sand; 3.5-4 m clay; 4-40 m limestone
• If multiple test holes and dewatering wells that were originally part of a well cluster are being abandoned, then the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must record the plugging and sealing details of each well in this section
• The person must record the type of abandonment barrier or fill material used and record the interval where the material was placed in the well
• If more space is necessary, the person can use the row immediately below the initial row that is being filled
• As an example, the abandonment of a 40 metres deep test hole could be recorded as 0-1.5 m silt; 1.5-2.0 m bentonite chips; 2.0-35.0 m bentonite slurry; 35.0-40.0 m gravel
• If the plugging and sealing of multiple test holes or dewatering wells that are part of a well cluster is occurring immediately due to the construction of the new wells being discontinued, then a well record is not required to be completed under the Wells Regulation. If the person wishes to complete a well record form for this, then the person should complete 2 Well Record for Well Cluster –Part 1 of 3 pages. The first page (page 1 of 2) is for the construction and the second form (page 2 of 2) is for the plugging and sealing of the well

Figure 15-32: Well Record for Well Cluster - Static Water Level, Date of Completion and Ministry Audit Number

Static Water Level

• The person constructing the well must record the static water level from the original ground surface at the time of well construction
• The static water level is not required to be recorded for a well abandonment
• If the unit system is metric, the person must record the measurement for length in metres. If the unit system is Imperial, the person must record the measurement for length in feet

Date of Completion

• If the new well is being constructed, the person constructing the well must record the year/month/day that corresponds to the date on which the well’s structural stage is complete (when the well is ready to be put into operation but for the installation of a pump)
• If the well is being abandoned, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must record the year/month/day that corresponds to the date when the well was plugged and sealed

Ministry Audit Number

• The audit number is assigned by the Ministry
• The person constructing or abandoning the wells must record the audit number(s) on the Well Record for Well Cluster – Page 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent (see Figure 15-36)

Figure 15-33: Well Record for Well Cluster - Well Contractor and Well Technician

Well Contractor and Well Technician Information

• This box provides information about the individual and company who constructed the wells and must be fully completed by the person constructing the wells except for the following situations
• If the person who constructed the wells is an exempted professional who is permitted to construct wells without a licence (see Chapter 4: Test Hole & Dewatering Well Construction Licences: Obtaining, Maintaining & Exemptions), the person must record his/her name in the “Name of Well Technician” box, sign the “Signature of Technician” and provide his/her company’s particulars. The exempted professional should record their registration number or licence number in the “Well Technician’s Licence No.” box. The words “Well Technician” should be crossed out and the changes initialled,
• If the test holes or dewatering wells were constructed by the owner of the land, a member of the person’s household or a person working without compensation for the owner of the land, the person constructing the wells must record his/her name in the “Name of Well Technician” box and sign in the “Signature of Technician” box. The words “Well Technician” should be crossed out and the changes initialled,
• If the test holes or dewatering wells were abandoned, information about the person who works at the well abandonment may be recorded in this section

Figure 15-34: Well Record for Well Cluster - Date of First and Last Well

Date of First Well in Cluster Constructed or Abandoned

• The person constructing wells in a well cluster must record the year/month/day that corresponds to the commencement of well construction for the first well in a well cluster (or, where applicable, the first well in a particular phase of well construction)
• If the wells which are part of a well cluster are being abandoned, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must record the year/month/day that the first well in the Well Cluster was plugged and sealed

Date of Last Well in Cluster

• The person constructing wells in a well cluster must record the year/month/day that corresponds to the date of completion of the last well in a well cluster (or, where applicable, the last well in a particular phase of well construction)
• If the wells which are part of a well cluster are being abandoned, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must record the year/month/day that the last well in the well cluster was plugged and sealed
• The well record must be delivered to the well purchaser, each owner of the land and the Director in the time frames found in the “Construction - Delivery Requirement for Well Cluster” and “Abandonment - Delivery Requirement for Well Cluster” parts of the “Plainly Stated” section in this chapter. To be in compliance with the required time frames for well record submission, the multiple test holes or dewatering wells reported on a Well Record for Well Cluster form must be constructed, or abandoned, within the time periods specified in the Wells Regulation

Figure 15-35: Well Record for Well Cluster - Person Abandoning the Well

Person Abandoning the Well

• This box provides the name of the person abandoning the well if test holes or dewatering wells that were originally part of a Well Cluster are now being abandoned (plugged and sealed)
• In most cases, the person abandoning the well is the well owner
• When test holes or dewatering wells are being abandoned, the person abandoning the well is responsible for the completion of this form, including recording the appropriate name in this box, and proper well record submission
• A well technician (or other person who works at the abandonment of the well) can assist the person abandoning the well in completing and submitting this form

Figure 15-36: Well Record for Well Cluster - Land Owner Consent Form

A Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent (shown below) must be attached to the Well Cluster for Well Record – Part 1of 3. Details recorded on the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent must include: the well number from the Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations, the property location description, the land owner’s name, the signature of the land owner and the date signed. The well tag number and audit number must match the tag and audit number(s) on the Well Record for Well Cluster Part 1-3.

Figure 15-37: Well Record for Well Cluster - Detailed Drawing

A Well Cluster for Well Record – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations (shown below) must be attached to the Well Cluster for Well Record Part 1 of 3. The Well Cluster for Well Record – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations must include all property boundaries, an arrow indicating the North direction, all named roads and sufficient measurements to locate all wells in the cluster in relation to fixed points. The drawing must show the location of each well and each well must be numbered on the drawing. The well tag number should appear beside the well with a well tag. UTM coordinates should appear beside each well, if space permits. The Well Number on the drawing must correspond to the Well Number on the Well Cluster for Well Record – Part 2 of 3 Land Owner Consent. Additional comments on wells can also be included on the drawing.

Well Record Delivery

New Well Construction - Single Well Record Delivery

The Wells Regulation - A copy of the completed well record must be delivered by the person constructing the well to the well purchaser and land owner within 14 days after the date on which the well’s structural stage is complete.

The Wells Regulation - A copy of the completed well record must be forwarded by the person constructing the well to the Ministry at the Wells Help Desk, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Road, Toronto Ontario M9P 3V6 within 30 days after the date on which the well’s structural stage is complete.

The Wells Regulation - A completed well record must be kept by the person constructing the well for at least two years.

Alterations - Single Well Record Delivery

The Wells Regulation - A copy of the completed well record must be delivered by the person constructing (altering) the well to the well purchaser and land owner within 14 days after the date on which the well’s structural stage is complete

The Wells Regulation - A copy of the completed well record must be forwarded by the person constructing (altering) the well to the Ministry at the Wells Help Desk, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Road, Toronto Ontario M9P 3V6 within 30 days after the date on which the well’s structural stage is complete.

The Wells Regulation - A completed well record must be kept by the person constructing the well for at least two years.

Reminder: Generally, a well record is not required to be completed for a minor alteration or the installation of a pump. If a well tag is broken, defaced, illegible or otherwise unusable, however, a well record is required to be completed with respect to the required replacement of the well tag, even during a minor alteration. See the “Broken, Defaced, Illegible or Unusable Well Tag” section later in this chapter for further information on the well tag replacement and the well record completion and submission requirements in this case.

Reminder: Further information on the “well’s structural stage completion”, “minor alteration” and “pump” can be found in Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-1. The term minor alteration is also discussed in the “Well Tags” section on page 69 of this chapter.

Abandonment - Single Well Record Delivery

The Wells Regulation - On completion of the abandonment of a test hole or dewatering well, the person abandoning the well, often the well owner, must:

• within 14 days after the date on which the well construction equipment is removed from the site, deliver a copy of the well record to the owner of the land on which the well is situated; and
• within 30 days after the date on which the well construction equipment is removed from the site, forward a copy of the well record and any well tag that was removed from the well, to the Director.

Reminder: See Chapter 17: Abandonment: How to Plug & Seal Test Holes & Dewatering Wells for information on proper well abandonment.

New Well Construction - Delivery of Well Record for Well Cluster

The Wells Regulation - A person constructing new test holes or dewatering wells who completes one well record for a well cluster must deliver a copy of the well record for the well cluster to the well purchaser and each owner of land on which a well in the well cluster is situated within 60 days after the commencement of construction:

• of the first test hole or dewatering well or,
• of the first test hole or dewatering well in the relevant phase of construction, if the wells are being constructed in phases.

The Wells Regulation - A completed well record for a well cluster must be forwarded to the Ministry at the Well Help Desk, Ministry of the Environment, 125 Resources Road, Toronto Ontario M9P 3V6 within 75 days after the commencement of construction:

• of the first test hole or dewatering well or,
• of the first test hole or dewatering well in the relevant phase of construction, if the wells are being constructed in phases.

The Wells Regulation - A completed well record for a well cluster must be kept by the person constructing the test hole or dewatering well for at least two years.

Reminder: A well record for a well cluster consists of a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 1 of 3, a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 2of 3 Land Owners Consent, and a Well Record for Well Cluster – Part 3 of 3 Detailed Drawing of All Well Locations.

Alterations to Test Holes or Dewatering Wells in Well Clusters- Delivery of Well Record

If an alteration, other than a minor alteration or pump installation, is made to a test hole or dewatering well that is part of a well cluster, the option to complete a Well Record for Well Cluster form no longer applies. A single well record must be completed for the alteration. The delivery of this single well record must be done in the following manner:

The Wells Regulation - For a test hole or dewatering well that is altered, and that was originally part of a well cluster, a person who constructs (alters) the well and completes a new well record must:

• deliver to the well purchaser and each owner of land on which the altered test hole or dewatering well is situated, a copy of the well record within 60 days after the commencement of:
  • the subsequent construction (alteration), or
  • the relevant phase of alteration, if the well is being altered in phases;
• forward a copy of the well record to the Director within 75 days after the commencement of:
  • the subsequent construction (alteration), or
  • the relevant phase of alteration, if the well is being altered in phases.

Abandonment - Delivery of Well Record for Well Cluster

The Wells Regulation - On completion of the abandonment of test holes or dewatering wells that were originally part of a well cluster, the person abandoning the wells, often the well owner, must:

• within 60 days after the date on which the first well in the well cluster is abandoned, deliver a copy of the well record to the owner of the land on which the well is situated; and
• within 75 days after the date on which the first well in the well cluster is abandoned, forward a copy of the well record and any well tag that was removed from the well, to the Director.

Reminder: See Chapter 17: Abandonment: How to Plug & Seal Test Holes & Dewatering Wells for information on proper well abandonment.

General Notes on Well Record Delivery

Reminder: For a well cluster situation to apply during well abandonment, a Well Record for Well Cluster must have been completed for the original construction of all of the test holes or dewatering wells.

Reminder: Well records are forwarded to the Director c/o the Wells Help Desk, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Road, Toronto Ontario M9P 3V6.

Reminder: Examples of well construction equipment include: a grout pump, a tremie pipe, casing removal equipment such as a cutter or torch, a drilling rig, a boring rig, an excavator, a pump truck and drive point equipment.

Reminder: The person abandoning the well is considered:

• The person constructing a well when the well has been discontinued prior to the completion of the well’s structural stage and it must be immediately abandoned
• The well purchaser for a dry well that must be immediately abandoned
• The well owner for a well that must be immediately abandoned because it:
  • is not in use or being maintained for future use as a well
  • contains natural gas or other gas and the gas is not managed in a way that prevents any potential hazard
  • permits the movement of materials including natural gas and contaminants and the movement may impair the quality of any waters
  • is constructed in contravention of the Wells Regulation requirements for location, methods, materials or standards and measures taken to rectify the problem have failed

Reminder: For information on when to abandon a test hole or dewatering well, see Chapter 16: Abandonment: When to Plug & Seal Test Holes & Dewatering Wells.

Well Record Copies

The following best management practices have been developed to ensure well records are provided to the various parties and properly kept and stored.

Well Tags

The well tag is a unique identifier that links one or a group of test hole(s) or dewatering well(s) in the field with the well record.

Figure 15-38: Example of a Well Tag

Well Tags for a Test Hole or Dewatering Well Not in a Well Cluster

The Wells Regulation - Before the structural stage of a new cased test hole or dewatering well is completed, the person constructing the well must permanently affix a well tag, issued by the Ministry, to the outside of the casing or to a permanent structure associated with the well. The affixed well tag must be visible and not be obstructed by the well cap, other well components or by equipment associated with the well.

Reminder: This requirement to tag a cased test hole or dewatering well applies to wells scheduled to be in use for any length of time, including a well that is scheduled to be abandoned within 30 days of completion of its structural stage.

The Wells Regulation - If an alteration, other than a minor alteration, is made to a cased well without a well tag, the person making the alteration must obtain and affix a Ministry well tag, as described above, before the alteration is completed.

Reminder: A permanent structure associated with the well can include a protective well cover or flush-mounted well pit (vault), for example.

Reminder: The Ministry provides a well tag sticker with each new well tag. The sticker has the same number or code as the well tag.

Reminder: To link the well in the field with the well record, the person constructing (altering) the well must:

• place the well tag sticker for the new tag on the well record completed for the alteration or
• copy and record the alphanumeric code from the well tag on the well record completed for the alteration

In order to reduce the risk of transcription errors, it is recommended to use the well tag sticker, if available.

Definition - The Wells Regulation defines a minor alteration as any of the following:

• routine repair or maintenance,
• the installation of monitoring, sampling or testing equipment other than equipment used to test the yield of the well or the aquifer,
• the installation of a pump in a test hole, or
• the installation of a well cap or watertight well cover

Well Tags for Test Hole or Dewatering Well Clusters

The Wells Regulation - If one well record is prepared for a well cluster, the Wells Regulation does not require the person constructing the wells to tag every well in the group as long as the person properly affixes a well tag to the deepest test hole or dewatering well. The person must properly affix the well tag as described in the previous section “Well Tags for a Test Hole or Dewatering Well Not in a Well Cluster”.

The Wells Regulation - If an alteration, other than a minor alteration, is made to a cased test hole or dewatering well in a well cluster that does not have a well tag, the person making the alteration must properly affix a new well tag to the altered well. The well tag must be properly affixed as described in the previous section “Well Tags for a Test Hole or Dewatering Well Not in a Well Cluster”.

Reminder: A new well record may also be required for the alteration. See the “Well Record Information” section in this chapter for further information.

The following provides some common examples of well tagging requirements and exemptions for a well that is part of a well cluster as defined by the Wells Regulation. There are other scenarios that are not included in the examples below.

A well tag is not required for an alteration of an existing untagged test hole or dewatering well that was part of a well cluster, if a person:

• Installed or connected equipment, including a pump, into the well for monitoring, sampling or testing other than equipment used to test the yield of the well or aquifer
• Installed a well cap or watertight well cover
• Conducted a routine repair or maintenance on the well

A well tag is required for an alteration of an existing untagged test hole or dewatering well that was part of a well cluster under the following circumstances:

• A person installed a pump in or connected to a test hole to test the yield of the well or aquifer
• A person installed a replacement pump in or connected to a dewatering well to lower the groundwater level or collect contaminated groundwater.

Reminder: For further information on the term “minor alteration”, see the “Well Tags” section on page 69 of this chapter.

Given that the Wells Regulation restricts the use of a well tag to specific situations, there are scenarios where it is a best management practice to label new or altered existing test holes or dewatering wells with a unique field number.

Reminder: See the "Broken, Defaced, Illegible or Unusable Well Tags" section in this chapter for further requirements on replacing a well tag when conducting a minor alteration to a well.

Reminder: See Chapter 17: Abandonment: How to Plug & Seal Test Holes & Dewatering Wells for further information how to plug and seal test holes and dewatering wells.

How to Attach the Well Tag to the Casing

If the well tag is to be permanently affixed to the well casing, it is preferable to use a stainless steel strap. If strapping is not feasible, the tag may be tack welded into place. Strapping and welding rods made of stainless steel are essential to prevent corrosion. The well tag can also be lag bolted or screwed into concrete, affixed to a metal bracket as shown in Figure 15-42 or affixed using a clamping gear as shown in Figure 15-45.

If a strap is used, it should be placed through the slots in the tag, wrapped around the casing and crimped tight with a strapping tool. If tack welding, the four corners of the tag should be welded to the casing using stainless steel welding rods. If lagging or screwing is the selected method, the drill holes should not fully penetrate through the well casing. This would compromise the casing integrity.

Figure 15-39: Attaching the Well Tag to the Casing

Figure 15-39 shows a strapping tool used to affix metal straps and a well tag to a well. See description in the above text. Figure 15-46 shows the well tag affixed to the well using the metal strapping.

Attaching Well Tags in Various Scenarios

Scenario #1: The Well is Used for Testing, Monitoring or Sampling. This Scenario Would Include Most Test Holes

Figure 15-40: Well Tag Attached to Test Hole Protective Casing

If strapping is not possible, the tag can be tack welded into place with stainless steel rods as shown in this photograph. In this case, the tag is welded on to the locked protective covering. The tag must not be affixed to the test hole casing within the locked protective covering, as the tag would not be visible.

Figure 15-41: Improperly Affixed Well Tag

This figure shows a well tag incorrectly affixed to a test hole. In this case, if the protective well cover is closed, the well tag is not visible. Well tags are required to be permanently affixed to a casing or structure associated with the well and be visible at all times.

Figure 15-42: Well Tag Attached To Test Hole - Front View

Figure 15-43: Well Tag Attached To Test Hole - Side View

Figure 15-42 and Figure 15-43 show a well tag affixed to a metal bracket. The bracket has a slot to allow it to slide onto the well casing. A larger diameter coupling and well cap ensure the bracket stays affixed to the well and the well tag is visible.

Scenario #2: The Casing is Completely Below Finished Grade in a Flush-Mounted Well Pit (Vault)

Figure 15-44: Well Tag Affixed To Structure Associated With Flush-Mounted Well Pit (Vault)

In this scenario the well tag is set into concrete slurry. The tag can be screwed or lag bolted into the concrete. The well tag must remain visible and protected from wear and tear. For further information on flush-mounted well pits (vaults) see Chapter 12: Equipment Installation and the terms “well pit” and “flush-mounted well cover” in Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-3.

Reminder: This figure is not to scale, it is for illustrative purposes for this chapter only and does not necessarily represent full compliance with the requirements found in the Wells Regulation.

Scenario #3: A Series of Dewatering Wells with Plastic Pressure Line

Figure 15-45: Well Tag Affixed to the Casing of a Point Well in a Well Cluster

Figure 15-45 shows a well tag that was affixed to the casing using a gear clamp. Where the casing diameter is too small to affix the tag using stainless steel strapping and the method described in Figure 15-39, the tag can be attached using a gear clamp.

Scenario #4: The Casing of the Well Sticks Up and the Pump is not Positioned Over the Casing

Figure 15-46: Example of Properly Attached Well Tag

Figure 15-47: Threaded Screws Attaching Well Tag to Concrete Casing

Figure 15-48: Well Tag Affixed to a Driven or Jetted Point Well

Scenario #5: The Casing Sticks Up and the Pump is Located Directly Over the Casing

Figure 15-49: Well Tag on Equipment Associated with the Well as Close as Possible to the Casing

This scenario would include wells with a vertical turbine pump, or other type of pump positioned directly over the casing. Some methods include setting/screwing or lag bolting the well tag into the concrete well slab as close as possible to the casing. The well tag must remain visible and protected from wear and tear.

Scenario #6: The Pump and Casing are Located in a Pump House

Figure 15-50: Inside Pump House with Visible Well Tag on Associated Well Equipment

The presence of a pump house does not affect the placement of the well tag. The tag location depends on whether the pump is positioned directly over or offset from the casing. The directions in Scenario #4 or #5 should be followed, whichever is appropriate. In addition, the well owner is encouraged to post a sign on the outside of the pump house, either next to the door or on the door, indicating the well tag number.

Broken, Defaced, Illegible or Unusable Well Tags

The Wells Regulation - A person conducting an alteration, including a minor alteration, on a test hole or dewatering well with a well tag that is broken, defaced, illegible or otherwise unusable must:

• remove the well tag and return it to the Director,
• obtain a new well tag from the Ministry and, before the alteration is completed, permanently affix the well tag to the outside of the casing or to a permanent structure associated with the well, at a point where the well tag will be visible and will not be obstructed by the well cap, by other components of the well or by equipment associated with the well, and
• within 30 days after the new well tag is affixed to the casing, complete a well record with respect to the replacement of the well tag and forward a copy of the well record and the original well tag to the Director.

Figure 15-51: Before - Well Tag Must Be Replaced

Figure 15-52: After - Well Tag Replaced

Figure 15-51 and Figure 15-52 show the before and after photographs of a broken well tag that was replaced when a minor alteration (e.g., well cap removal) was made to the well. In this case, the well cap and conduit pipe were also upgraded to remove a pathway for foreign materials to enter the well.

Safeguarding the Well Tag

The Wells Regulation - During alterations to a cased well with a well tag, the well tag must be safeguarded and, if removed, it must be re-affixed permanently to the outside of the casing or to a permanent structure associated with the well, upon completion of the alteration.

Well Tag Restricitons

To help locate and identify a test hole or dewatering well with a well tag in the field, the Wells Regulation provides the following well tag requirements that all persons must adhere to.

The Wells Regulation - It is not permitted to deface, alter, conceal or obstruct a well tag.

The Wells Regulation - It is not permitted to remove a well tag that is affixed to a well or a structure associated with the well unless:

• the person has the written consent from the Director,
• the well tag on the well that is being altered is broken, defaced, illegible or otherwise unusable, or
• the well is being altered or properly abandoned (plugged and sealed)

The Wells Regulation - It is not permitted to use a well tag issued by the Ministry except in accordance with the Wells Regulation.

Reminder: If a tagged well (e.g., deepest) in a “well cluster” is abandoned, the tag must be returned to the Director and cannot be affixed to any other well in the well cluster as this is not a permitted use of the well tag under the Wells Regulation. The best management practice titled “Using Unique Field Numbers for Untagged Existing Wells in a Well Cluster” provides recommendations that should be followed in this circumstance.

Reminder: If no alteration to a well takes place, a person must not affix a Ministry issued well tag to the well or a structure associated with the well as this is not a permitted use of the well tag under the Wells Regulation. In other words, to identify unaltered existing wells in the field a person should use unique field numbers and must not use well tags.

Notifications

The Wells Regulation does not require testing of water quality or gas during the construction of a test hole or dewatering well. Testing is typically completed after the well is ready to be put into operation by the well owner, an agent representing the well owner, or by another person. Advice and best management practices on safety considerations and identifying contaminants including gas are provided to persons constructing test holes and dewatering wells in Chapter 6: Constructing the Hole, Casing & Covering the Test Hole & Dewatering Well. If a person constructing a test hole or dewatering well identifies a gas or water quality issue; however, then there may be an obligation on the person to report the issue.

The Wells Regulation - When natural gas is encountered, the person constructing the well must immediately notify the well purchaser, the owner of the land on which the well is located and the Director.

For further information on natural gas, see Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-3.

To report an observation of natural gas, the person could use the information in the best management practice titled “Encountering Contamination, Mineralized Groundwater or Gas” in this section.

If a person constructing a water supply well (e.g., drinking water well) notices mineralized water, the person must notify the well purchaser and the owner of the land on which the well is situated that the condition exists. The information is important to allow for the determination of the type of treatment system that may be needed, the potential for mineralized water to impair other fresh groundwater zones and whether a written consent from the Director to not abandon the well is necessary.

Many test holes and dewatering wells are installed to look for and remediate groundwater quality issues. Therefore test holes and dewatering wells, as defined by the Wells Regulation, are exempt from the requirement for notification of mineralized water.

If unexpected problems with water quality or a gas, which is not considered natural gas, are observed during well construction or abandonment, the person completing the work should consider the following best management practice.

Reminder: For further information on mineralized water, see Chapter 2: Definitions & Clarifications, Table 2-1.

Tools

Figure 15-53: Example of the Front Page of a Log

Figure 15-53 shows a sample of the front page of a log

The upper left box states:

• Log
• Name of Well Technician –
• Date work complete (YY/MM/DD) –

The upper right box states:

• Measurements recorded in: metric or imperial

The Well Owner and Location Information box states:

• First Name –
• Last Name –
• Address of Well Location (Street Name and Number) –
• Township –
• Lot –
• Concession –
• Country/District/Municipality –
• City/Town/Village –
• UTM Coordinates: Zone, Easting, Northing

Geo – Log Box (located immediately below Well Owner and Location Information Box): (Colours: White, Greg, Blue, Green, Yellow, Brown, Red, Black)

(Materials: Fill, Muck, Peat, Clay, Silt, Gravel, Stones, Boulders, Top Soil, Limestone, Fine Sand, Medium Sand, Coarse Sand, Dolomite, Shale, Sandstone, Slate, Quartzite, Granite, Greenstone)

(General Description: Loose, Porous, Dense, Packed, Cemented, Layered, Soft, Hard, Previously Dug or Bored, Previously Drilled, Wood Fragments)

• Headings – General Colour, Most Common Material, Other Materials, General Description, Comments, Depth (metres/feet): From – To
• There are 14 rows

Reminder: Figure 15-53 and Figure 15-54 can be photocopied front to back and used in the field.

Figure 15-54: Example of the Back Page of a Log

Figure 15-54 shows a sample of the back page of a log

Map of Well Location Box (located on the left side below Geo – log box): (There are three examples of how to draw a map in rural areas, urban areas and lot/concession numbers not known)

Results of Well Yield Testing Box (located on the right side below Geo – log box):

• After test of well yield – clear and free of sand or other
• If pumping discontinued, give reason –
• Pump intake set at –
• Pumping rate -
• Duration of Pumping –
• Final water level end of pumping –
• Disinfected – yes or no
• Drawdown:
  • static water level:
  • 1 minute of pumping:
  • 2 minute of pumping:
  • 3 minute of pumping:
  • 4 minute of pumping:
  • 5 minute of pumping:
  • 10 minute of pumping:
  • 15 minute of pumping:
  • 20 minute of pumping:
  • 30 minute of pumping:
  • 40 minute of pumping:
  • 50 minute of pumping:
  • 60 minute of pumping:
• Recovery:
  • 1 minute of recovery:
  • 2 minute of recovery:
  • 3 minute of recovery:
  • 4 minute of recovery:
  • 5 minute of recovery:
  • 10 minute of recovery:
  • 15 minute of recovery:
  • 20 minute of recovery:
  • 30 minute of recovery:
  • 40 minute of recovery:
  • 50 minute of recovery:
  • 60 minute of recovery:

Construction Record – Screen Box (located below Results of Well Yield Testing Box):

• Outside diameter –
• Material –
• Slot # -
• Diameter (From – to) –

Construction Record – Casing Box (located below Construction Record – Screen Box):

• Inside diameter –
• Open hole or material –
• Wall thickness –
• Depth – from to
• Lengths of casing brought to job site in metres –
• Lengths of casing installed in well in metres –

Water Details Box (located below Map of Well Location Box):

• Water found at Depth –
• Kind of water – fresh, untested, other

Hole Diameter Box (located below Map of Well Location Box and to the right of the Water Details Box):

• Depth – from/to/diameter

Annular Space Box (located below the Water Details Box):

• Depth –
• Material –
• Number of bags placed -

Well Owner’s Information Package (located below the Hole Diameter Box):

• Yes or No
• Date Package Delivered –

Reminder: Figures 15-53 and Figure 15-54 can be photocopied front to back and used in the field.