“Well” or “water well” as used in this chapter, means any artificial excavation constructed by any method for the purpose of extracting water from, or injecting water into, the underground. This definition shall not include: (a) oil and gas wells, or geothermal wells constructed under the jurisdiction of the Department of Conservation, except those wells converted to use as water wells; or (b) wells used for the purpose of (1) dewatering excavation during construction, or (2) stabilizing hillsides or earth embankments.
Water Wells and Cathodic Protection WellsDefinitions
Section § 13710
This law defines what is meant by 'well' or 'water well.' It states that these terms refer to any man-made hole created to either take water out of or put water into the ground. However, it excludes wells used for oil, gas, or geothermal purposes unless they are repurposed as water wells. Additionally, wells that are used to remove water during construction or to stabilize hillsides or soil are not considered water wells under this definition.
water extraction water injection artificial excavation
Section § 13711
This law defines a 'cathodic protection well' as any man-made excavation deeper than 50 feet, created to set up equipment that protects metal structures in the ground from electrical corrosion. This technique is known as cathodic protection.
“Cathodic protection well,” as used in this chapter, means any artificial excavation in excess of 50 feet constructed by any method for the purpose of installing equipment or facilities for the protection electrically of metallic equipment in contact with the ground, commonly referred to as cathodic protection.
cathodic protection artificial excavation metallic equipment
Section § 13712
This law section defines a 'monitoring well' as any dug hole created to keep an eye on changes in groundwater levels, the quality of the water underground, or how much contamination there is in those waters.
“Monitoring well” as used in this chapter, means any artificial excavation by any method for the purpose of monitoring fluctuations in groundwater levels, quality of underground waters, or the concentration of contaminants in underground waters.
monitoring well groundwater levels water quality
Section § 13712.5
This section states that wells built specifically to monitor groundwater that harms, or could harm, the roots of crops do not have to follow the usual reporting rules of this chapter.
Notwithstanding Section 13712, all wells constructed for the purpose of monitoring the presence of groundwater which has adversely affected, or threatens to adversely affect, crop root zones are exempt from the reporting requirements of this chapter.
groundwater monitoring wells crop root zones groundwater impact
Section § 13713
This section defines a 'geothermal heat exchange well' as a type of artificial hole in the ground that is not lined with casing. Its purpose is to use the earth's heat for temperature control, specifically heating and cooling. The ground temperature must be 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower, and it must use a closed-loop fluid system to ensure nothing leaks into the surrounding ground or water.
Essentially, these are systems like ground source heat pumps where the fluid used for heat transfer is contained and does not mix with the external environment.
“Geothermal heat exchange well,” as used in this chapter, means any uncased artificial excavation, by any method, that uses the heat exchange capacity of the earth for heating and cooling, in which excavation the ambient ground temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) or less, and which excavation uses a closed loop fluid system to prevent the discharge or escape of its fluid into surrounding aquifers or other geologic formations. Geothermal heat exchange wells include ground source heat pump wells.
geothermal heat exchange well ground source heat pump wells artificial excavation
