Sealing of Agricultural Drainage Wells

Sealing Well Agricultural drainage wells (ADWs) are sometimes used to drain excess water from fields, particularly during wet seasons. They thus provide a direct route for fertilizers to enter the ground water. Although installation of new ADWs is illegal in most states, many old wells still exist.

ADWs are usually located in topographically low areas susceptible to surface runoff. The well generally consists of a cistern or basin to collect water and a well that drains directly into the ground. ADWs are often found in areas that have underlying consolidated aquifers with high secondary porosities. Relatively few are found in unconsolidated aquifers because those wells frequently clog.

To prevent ground water contamination from ADWs, new ADWs should not be constructed and old ADWs should be properly abandoned. Proper abandonment involves removal of old well casing where possible, overreaming the borehole to greater than its original diameter, and plugging the boring with impermeable materials.

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