12VAC5-590-476. Reactivation of wells.
A. The owner shall notify the department of the intent to reactivate a well.
B. Before bringing the well into service, the well shall be pumped to waste (purged) for a minimum of five well volumes but for not less than 30 minutes. The purged well water shall be discharged in a manner so that it will not return to the well, directly or indirectly, during the pumping period.
C. After the well is pumped, water quality samples shall be collected. If the well has been inactive for less than one year, then two samples shall be collected at least 30 minutes apart and tested for the presence of E. coli. If the well has been inactive for one or more years, then it shall be tested for total coliform density (MPN), nitrate, and, if determined by the department, inorganics, VOCs, SOCs, and radionuclides. Satisfactory test results shall be obtained before placing the well in service.
D. A well yield and drawdown test may be required by the department before bringing the well into service. The test shall be performed in accordance with 12VAC5-590-840 H, as applicable.
E. A well may be activated for emergency use before receipt of satisfactory monitoring results, even if public health and safety are unknowns and may be at risk, as determined by the department. However, in these circumstances, a special water advisory shall be approved by the department and issued by the waterworks at the same time the well is activated.
Statutory Authority
§§ 32.1-12 and 32.1-170 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Virginia Register Volume 37, Issue 20, eff. June 23, 2021.