6.2.1 Driven wells. On all driven wells there shall be an outer casing grouted from ground surface to a minimum ten (10) feet depth. Plastic or steel casing that will accommodate the outside diameter of the pipe being driven shall be placed in a hole that has a minimum diameter of four (4) inches larger than the surface casing. This should give a minimum of two (2) inches thickness of grout.

6.2.2 Dug or bored wells. Every dug or bored well shall have a continuous watertight lining of steel casing or concrete pipe extending from above ground surface to a depth of at least ten (10) feet below the ground surface. When more than one formation bearing suitable water exists, the lower formation should be used. The lining in the producing zone shall readily admit water and shall be structurally sound to withstand external pressures.

6.2.3 Annular openings. The open space between the excavation and the installed lining shall be sealed with grout. If the first ten (10) feet of the casing is jointed, such as concrete, and would allow surface water to seep into cracks of casing, the grout will continue from the ten (10) foot seal to ground level.

6.2.4 Upper terminal. The watertight lining shall extend at least eight (8) inches above finished ground surface. A cover slab at least two and one half (2 1/2) inches thick, adequately reinforced and having a diameter sufficient to overlap the lining by two (2) inches shall be provided. The top of the slab shall be sloped to drain to all sides and a watertight joint made where the slab rests on the well lining using cement mortar or a mastic compound. A manhole, if installed, shall consist of a metal curb cast in the slab and extending four (4) inches above the slab. The manhole shall have a watertight covering having sides to overhang the curb at least two (2) inches. Adequately sized pipe (plastic pipe may be used) shall be cast in place in the slab, extending at least eight (8) inches above the slab, to accommodate the type of pump or pump piping proposed for the well. If the well contractor does not install the pump, a cap (seal) will be placed on top of the pipe. The owner or licensed driller may cut off the cap and must leave a minimum of two (2) inches above the slab.

6.3.1 Outer casing seal for gravel well industrial and irrigation wells. Industrial wells shall be sealed with a concrete slab or grouted or both. Irrigation wells shall be sealed with a bentonite seal. It is optional to use a slab for an irrigation well.

6.3.1.1 Slabs. Slabs must be of reinforced concrete and at least four (4) inches thick and have a diameter sufficient to overlap the drill hole by two (2) feet. The top of the slab shall be sloped to drain to all sides.

6.3.1.2 Grout. Grout must be composed of sodium montmorillonite clay, also known as Bentonite, cement, or a sodium montmorillonite (Bentonite)-cement mixture and shall fill the annular opening between the casing and the drill hole in the upper ten (10) feet.

6.3.1.3 Timing. If noted on the Report of Water Well Construction, a slab may be placed on non-grouted wells within one year of the date of construction to allow for settling.

6.3.1.4 Gravel refill pipes. Gravel refill pipes may be installed if they terminate above the concrete slab surface and are provided with watertight caps.

6.3.2 Public notice. Each new industrial or irrigation well and each existing industrial or irrigation well when brought under the rules of the Act shall have a weatherproof sign attached in a conspicuous location stating that “THIS WATER IS NOT FOR DRINKING PURPOSES” or a suitable decal of weatherproof material.

6.3.3 Casing, screen, and all material for industrial and irrigation wells of steel construction over four inches in diameter. The minimum wall thickness shall be seven gauge or .1875. All material used shall not allow sand or sediment to enter a well. Where there is an acid condition screen material may be stainless steel, plastic, bronze, or other material suitable for the water and ground formations in which the well has been completed.

6.3.4 Gravel refill pipes. Gravel refill pipes may be installed if they terminate above ground surface and are provided with water tight caps.

6.3.5 Artificial pack. Wells designed for placement of an artificial pack shall be provided with an adequate screen having openings based upon size of the gravel. The well shall be developed to insure free entry of water without sediment.

6.4.1 Closed loop or earth coil. Fluid is circulated in a continuous unbroken pipe beneath the surface of the earth or under ponds, swimming pools, lakes or in a medium where the system can obtain a sufficient cooling or heat exchange. Normally no fluid is gained or lost. Depths of installation vary and are dependent upon the type and size of closed loop system, the land area available, soils/formation, climate, and seasonal variation in ground temperature, etc. There are three types of closed loop heat pump well systems:

6.4.1.1 Horizontal system. A closed loop system where pipes are installed horizontally under the earth's surface or under ponds, swimming pools, lakes, etc.

6.4.1.2 Vertical system. A closed loop system where pipes are vertically installed beneath the surface of the earth.

6.4.1.3 Combination horizontal and vertical system. A system that has pipes installed beneath the earth's surface horizontally and vertically.

6.4.1.4 Direct exchange (DX) wells. A small diameter bore hole constructed for the purpose of sinking or sourcing thermal energy between the direct exchange loop and the earth.

6.4.2 Open loop or water source. Water is obtained from a source (water well, lake, river, etc.) and circulated, usually one time, for the purpose cooling or heat exchange. Water quality, quantity and disposal are primary concerns with open loop systems. There are three types/categories of open loop well systems:

6.4.2.1 General. Open loop wells shall be constructed in the same manner and conform to rules for wells used for domestic purposes. This shall pertain to the supply well and return well.

6.4.2.2 Single well open system. Water is obtained from a well, circulated and returned to the same well.

6.4.2.3 Dual well open system. Water is obtained from a supply well, circulated, and injected/dumped into a return well. These wells may be designed to switch roles and the return well becomes the supply well, the supply well the return well.

6.4.2.4 Single well / waste open system. Water is obtained from a well, circulated, and dumped/wasted into some other medium (land surface, lake, pond, ditch, sewer, etc.).

6.4.3 Vertical closed loop systems / wells. The Contractor is responsible and shall insure that water quantity and quality are not adversely affected.

6.4.3.1 Grouting. Closed loop wells constructed in consolidated formations shall be back filled with grout (prescribed in Rule 5.5) the entire length of the bore hole. Wells constructed in unconsolidated formations may be back filled with cuttings, sand, or native material, provided the material does not adversely affect the quality of the ground water. The upper ten (10) feet (minimum requirement) of wells constructed in unconsolidated formations shall be grouted (prescribed in Rule 5.5). A well meeting requirements for a domestic water well is not required to be back filled.

6.4.3.2 Horizontal excavation. The top of the bore hole may terminate at the bottom of the excavation for installation of horizontal pipes. The horizontal excavation is not required to be back filled with grout. The grout shall be placed at least 10 feet below the bottom of the excavation in unconsolidated formations.

6.4.4 Approved fluids. The fluid or liquid used for circulation must be an approved fluid. Fluids which are highly combustible, corrosive or toxic will not be used. A list of approved fluids will be maintained by the Commission. Ethylene Glycol is not an approved fluid. Approved fluids include but are not limited to: water, salt water, calcium chloride, food quality propylene glycol.

6.4.5 Joints and fittings. All joints and fittings installed and buried shall be heat, socket or butt fused. Glue or clamps shall not be used below ground level unless the joint or connection serves as a service outlet, and the joint or connection is not covered with earth.

6.4.6 Circulating pipes. The circulating pipes shall be made of approved materials. Approved circulating pipe are approved gas rated materials such as polyethylene and polybutylene. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material is not acceptable for circulating pipes for closed loop systems, below ground level. Polyethylene pipe meeting or exceeding PPI PE 3408, ASTM D 3350, cell classification 355434C, SDR-11 is approved. Polybutylene pipe meeting or exceeding ASTM D 3309, rated at 160 PSI at 73 degrees Fahrenheit and also 100 PSI at 180 degrees Fahrenheit, is approved.

6.4.7 Pressure testing. Pipes shall be pressure tested at 150% of maximum working pressure for 15 minutes prior to installation and shall not leak.