January 8, 2009



TWG Meeting Recap



Attendance: Todd Hunter, Jason Fegel, Jeff Appel, Tim Crawford, Tim Decker, Allen Robins, John Obrien, Alan Eades (NGWA, President), Jack Byers, Dick Wilson, Peter Berglund, Reiner Haubold, Andy Horn, Doug Jatcko, Nolan Lloyd and Daniel Niemela



Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel (CWWCA Annual Conference), Denver, 11:35 AM.



Next TWG Meeting:

Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 8:30 AM, CDM Office, Denver, Colorado



Water Well Construction Rules

Todd Hunter provided a preview of the Thursday afternoon Water Well Construction Rules Session. Mr. Hunter and others will discuss Colorado’s water well rules, what is being done in other states and nationally. The objective of the presentation will be to gain CWWCA membership consensus that the CWWCA should suggest review and changes to the Water Well Construction Rules, particularly in regard to minimum casing size and annular seals.



There was discussion regarding the timing for recommendations of rule changes by the CWWCA. The last BOE meeting of 2009 is in October. Therefore, proposed changes should be submitted to the BOE at the October meeting to initiate the rule change process in 2009. Proposed rule changes will be viewed by the State, in part, in terms of cost. The Rules come up for review in 2010, by the Governor’s policy.



Denver Basin Stratigraphy

The Colorado Ground Water Association will be holding an all-day seminar on January 30, 2009, which will kick off discussion regarding new interpretations by the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) of sedimentary layering in the Denver Basin, particularly in the western portion of the basin. Peter Barkman of the CGS may be available to attend a future TWG meeting to provide an update.



Fall Continuing Education

Due to budget challenges, the State will probably not be available to hold fall continuing education classes at various locations throughout the State, as was done in 2007. However, the State may be able to hold a continuing education class in Denver this fall, as was done in October 2008. The working Group would like to receive suggested topics for such meeting.



Licensing of Companies

As with the November 5, 2008 meeting, there was discussion regarding whether additional types of driller and pump installer licenses should be available, including apprentice, supervisor and business licenses. The BOE has encountered challenges in verifying experience and with individuals working under another driller’s license in a far-removed geography with a possible lack of involvement or supervision. Changes in the structure of licensing would require a statutory change. Such a process could be initiated through conversations with the Water Resources Review Committee and the Colorado Water Congress.



It was noted that, currently, licensed Water Well Contractor are allowed to connect the power and plumbing from a well to the pump electric disconnect and the pressure tank of a domestic residence. Plumbing and electrician organizations may wish to limit Contractor’s scope of authority and this may come up for review during the rule-making process.



It was also noted that there are two sides to licensing and water well construction rules: the rules and the enforcement.



Abandonment

Mr. Wilson presented information regarding wells in Weld County ranging from 675 to 1000 ft in depth that are slated for abandonment. 22 wells were identified. No abandonment report had been submitted for 14 of these wells. Un-abandoned wells may provide a route for contaminants to enter aquifers which are used for public water supply. There was discussion regarding whether federal funding could be made available to properly abandon un-abandoned wells to protect public water supply aquifers. The group discussed this and determined that one possible reason for the large portion of wells lacking abandonment reports could be lack of paperwork submittal for abandoned wells. However there still exists the likelihood that a significant number of wells have not been abandoned and may pose a threat to groundwater resources.



Future Topics

New thinking regarding Denver Basin stratigraphy.

Water Well Construction Rules.

Well Abandonment.

Licensing.

Scott Cuthbertson: What percentage of wells are inspected? What percentage of inspected wells are in violation?

Continuing education requirements for newly licensed contractors.



The meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM.



Respectfully submitted by Dan Niemela.