Section 144-232-7-704.0 - STANDARD PRACTICE FOR ABANDONING WELLS704.1General standards: Abandoned wells or boreholes shall be sealed in a manner appropriate to prevent the entry of contaminants and from the mixing of waters from separate water bearing zones. Neat cement, high solids (greater than or equal to 20%) bentonite grout or bentonite chips using the manufacturer's instructions or methods for placement described in the "Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, Second Edition", published in 1998, or other materials or methods of placement approved by the Commission are recommended.704.2Sealing: Well casings shall not be removed without the borehole in bedrock having been permanently sealed, using practices currently accepted by the water well industry.704.3Open borehole filling: Open boreholes shall be filled in a manner appropriate to prevent the possibility of personal injury, contamination of groundwater or future collapse of the area around the borehole.704.4Time frame: When a new water or geothermal heat exchange well is to be drilled to replace a contaminated drilled water or geothermal heat exchange well the abandoned well shall be sealed within a reasonable length of time, at the owner's expense. It shall be the responsibility of the driller to inform the homeowner of this action in writing. The notice shall be signed by both parties and shall include a statement of acceptance of these conditions by the homeowner as a requirement of remaining in compliance with these rules. Water or geothermal heat exchange wells ordered abandoned by the commission shall be abandoned within thirty (30) days of the date of determination at the expense of the homeowner if the well has been found by the commission to be a threat to public health or contamination of groundwater or at the expense of the driller if a determination is made by the commission that the well was installed in violation of any part of these rules.10-144 C.M.R. ch. 232, § 7-704.0