Well Abandonment & Decommissioning: How to Properly Destroy a Well

That old well covered with a piece of plywood in your backyard? It's not just an eyesore—it's a direct pipeline to your community's drinking water supply. An improperly sealed well can contaminate an entire aquifer, poison neighboring wells, and leave you facing thousands in fines and cleanup costs. The good news: proper abandonment costs far less than you might think.

In California, well abandonment (also called well decommissioning or well destruction) isn't optional—it's legally required. This guide explains why proper abandonment matters, what the process involves, and what you'll pay—typically $1,000 to $5,000 depending on well depth.

Why Proper Well Abandonment Matters

That old well in your backyard might seem harmless—maybe it's been covered with a piece of plywood for years. But unused wells pose serious risks that most property owners don't fully appreciate. Understanding these dangers explains why California mandates professional well destruction.

Groundwater Protection

A well is essentially a hole drilled through protective soil and rock layers directly into the aquifer below. When functioning properly, the well's sanitary seal and casing prevent surface contamination from reaching groundwater. But when a well is abandoned without proper sealing, it becomes a conduit for pollution.

What can flow down an improperly abandoned well? Nearly everything:

• Agricultural chemicals: Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers
• Petroleum products: Motor oil, gasoline, and other hydrocarbons
• Septic system waste: Bacteria, viruses, and nitrates
• Surface runoff: Animal waste, sediment, and urban pollutants
• Illegal dumping: Abandoned wells are sometimes used for improper waste disposal

Once contamination enters an aquifer, it can spread for miles, affecting countless wells and potentially making groundwater unusable for decades. The cost to remediate a contaminated aquifer can reach millions of dollars—and the property owner who allowed the contamination may be held liable.

Physical Safety Hazards

Unsealed wells present immediate physical dangers:

• Fall hazards: Children and animals can fall into open or poorly covered wells—often with fatal results
• Structural collapse: Old well casings can deteriorate and collapse, creating sudden sinkholes
• Vermin habitat: Abandoned wells attract rodents, snakes, and insects
• Drowning risk: Even shallow wells can contain enough water to be deadly

News reports regularly document tragic accidents involving old wells. A properly abandoned well eliminates these hazards permanently.

Legal Requirements and Liability

California Water Code Section 13750-13755 requires property owners to properly destroy wells that are no longer in use. This isn't a suggestion—it's law. Key legal points include:

• Owner responsibility: Property owners are legally responsible for wells on their land, even if they didn't drill them
• Permit requirement: A well destruction permit must be obtained before abandonment work begins
• Licensed contractor mandate: Only C-57 licensed contractors can legally perform well abandonment
• Reporting requirement: Completed abandonments must be reported to the county and state
• Enforcement: Counties can require well destruction and assess penalties for non-compliance

When you sell property with an improperly abandoned well, you may face title issues, failed inspections, or demands from buyers to properly seal the well before closing. It's far easier—and cheaper—to address well abandonment proactively.

California Requirements for Well Destruction

California has some of the most comprehensive well abandonment regulations in the country. The state sets baseline standards through the California Well Standards (Bulletin 74-90), while individual counties may impose additional requirements.

State Standards

California's well destruction standards require:

• Complete sealing: The entire well must be filled with approved sealing materials—no air gaps or voids
• Grout requirements: Neat cement grout, concrete, or bentonite clay must be used depending on well conditions
• Casing removal or perforation: In some cases, casing must be removed or perforated to ensure proper sealing
• Surface seal: The top of the well must be sealed at least 2-5 feet below ground surface
• Documentation: A Well Completion Report must be filed with the Department of Water Resources

County-Specific Requirements

Each California county enforces well destruction through its Environmental Health Department or local water agency. Requirements vary:

San Diego County:

• Permit required through Department of Environmental Health
• 48-hour advance notice before starting work
• Inspection may be required during or after sealing
• Permit fees approximately $200-$350

Riverside County:

• Permit through Environmental Health Department
• Additional requirements in certain groundwater basins
• Photo documentation may be required
• Permit fees approximately $250-$450

Before beginning any well abandonment project, your contractor should pull the appropriate county permit and understand local requirements. Working without a permit can result in fines and orders to re-do the work properly.

The Well Abandonment Process

Proper well decommissioning follows a specific sequence to ensure complete, permanent sealing. Here's what happens during professional well destruction:

Step 1: Well Assessment and Permit Application

Before any physical work begins, your contractor will:

• Locate and assess the well's current condition
• Determine well depth, diameter, and construction type
• Review any existing well records
• Apply for the required well destruction permit
• Develop an abandonment plan appropriate for the well type

The assessment identifies any challenges—like collapsed casing, obstructions, or unknown depth—that affect the abandonment approach.

Step 2: Pump and Equipment Removal

If the well still contains equipment:

• Remove submersible pump and drop pipe
• Remove any electrical wiring
• Extract any debris or obstructions
• Note: Equipment removal adds $300-$800 to total cost

Step 3: Well Cleaning and Preparation

The well must be cleared and prepared for sealing:

• Remove any sediment accumulation at the bottom
• Clear debris from the wellbore
• Video inspection may be performed to assess conditions
• Measure and verify total depth

Step 4: Sealing the Well

The actual sealing process varies based on well construction:

For typical drilled wells:

• Fill the well from bottom to top using a tremie pipe (prevents bridging and voids)
• Use neat cement grout for most of the wellbore
• Place sealing material in continuous pour or lifts
• Allow grout to set before adding additional material

For wells with multiple aquifer zones:

• Seal each zone separately to prevent cross-contamination
• Place grout seals between different water-bearing formations
• This prevents mixing of water from different aquifer depths

For large-diameter or dug wells:

• Fill with clean sand or gravel to within 10 feet of surface
• Cap with concrete or cement grout
• Large wells require significantly more material

Step 5: Surface Completion

The final steps ensure a complete, documented seal:

• Cut off casing at least 2-5 feet below ground surface
• Cap with concrete extending above the casing cut
• Backfill with clean soil to grade
• Mark or document location for future reference

Step 6: Documentation and Reporting

Proper documentation is legally required:

• Complete Well Completion Report (form DWR 188)
• Submit report to Department of Water Resources within 60 days
• Provide copy to county permitting agency
• Keep copy for property records

This documentation proves the well was properly abandoned—important for future property sales and any liability questions.

Well Abandonment Cost Breakdown

Well destruction costs depend primarily on well depth and diameter. Here's what to expect:

Additional costs to consider:

• Permit fees: $100-$500 depending on county
• Pump removal: $300-$800 if equipment still in place
• Access issues: Add $200-$500 for difficult access locations
• Unknown depth: Add $200-$400 for wells without records
• Video inspection: $200-$400 if needed to assess conditions

When to Abandon vs. Rehabilitate Your Well

Not every underperforming well needs to be destroyed. Sometimes well rehabilitation can restore your well to useful service. Here's how to decide:

Choose Well Abandonment When:

• You've connected to municipal water: The well is truly redundant and you don't need backup water supply
• The casing has failed: Holes, cracks, or severe corrosion that can't be repaired make the well unusable
• Contamination is present: The well has been compromised by pollution that can't be remediated
• The well was improperly constructed: Older wells that don't meet modern standards pose ongoing risks
• Rehabilitation has failed: You've tried to restore the well without success
• The well poses safety hazards: Location or condition creates liability concerns
• You're selling the property: Buyers often require unused wells to be properly destroyed

Consider Well Rehabilitation When:

• The casing is structurally sound: No significant damage or deterioration
• Decline has been gradual: Slowly decreasing yield often indicates treatable problems
• You want backup water supply: Even with city water, a working well provides security
• The well is relatively new: Wells under 30-40 years old are often good rehabilitation candidates
• Irrigation needs remain: Rehabilitated wells work well for landscape watering

A professional well inspection with video camera survey can definitively answer whether your well is a candidate for rehabilitation or should be abandoned. The inspection cost ($300-$600) is money well spent to make the right decision.

Why DIY Well Abandonment Is Illegal and Dangerous

Every year, property owners attempt to abandon wells themselves—often with disastrous results. Here's why California law requires licensed professionals:

Technical Challenges

• Proper grouting technique: Simply pouring concrete down a well creates voids and bridges—the well won't be sealed
• Tremie pipe placement: Sealing material must be placed from the bottom up using specialized equipment
• Multiple aquifer zones: Different formations require different sealing approaches
• Unknown conditions: Without proper assessment, you can't know what you're dealing with

Legal Consequences

• Fines and penalties: Unpermitted work can result in significant fines
• Required re-work: The county can order proper abandonment at your expense
• Liability exposure: If your improperly sealed well contaminates groundwater, you're liable
• Property sale complications: Undocumented "abandonments" create title and disclosure issues

Safety Risks

• Well collapse: Working around deteriorated wells risks cave-ins
• Toxic gases: Abandoned wells can accumulate dangerous gases
• Equipment hazards: Well work requires specialized tools and training

The few hundred dollars you might save attempting DIY abandonment isn't worth the legal exposure, environmental liability, and physical danger involved.

After Abandonment: Documentation and Records

Once your well is properly destroyed, maintaining documentation protects you and future property owners:

Documents You Should Receive

• Copy of the well destruction permit: Proves the work was authorized
• Well Completion Report (DWR 188): Official state record of the abandonment
• Contractor's invoice: Details of work performed
• Photos (if taken): Visual documentation of the process

What to Do with These Records

• Keep copies with your property documents
• Provide copies when selling the property
• Note the well location on any property surveys or maps
• Inform future contractors if work is planned near the old well site

The California Department of Water Resources maintains records of well destructions. Your contractor files the official report, and you can request copies through the DWR Online System.

Frequently Asked Questions