440 R.I. Code R. 440-RICR-10-00-6.24

Current through November 7, 2024

Section 440-RICR-10-00-6.24 - Performance Standards

A. The performance standards are intended to specify the minimum performance standards and requirements for the construction, alteration, installation, and repair of wells and pumps, and residential filtration/water treatment systems.

Supplemental performance standards for wells, pumps and filtration/water treatment for public water systems, as described in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 46-13, can be found in 216-RICR- 50-05-1.

B. Well-drillers, pump installers, water filtration contractors, and water filtration installers shall perform all work in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapters 5-65 and 5-65.2, these Rules and Regulations, any plans and specifications governing the project(s), and city/town/municipal regulations.

C. The Board's investigators and/or staff may inspect well-drillers, pump installers, water filtration contractors, and water filtration installers work to ensure it complies with all applicable laws, regulations, city/town/municipal regulations, plans, and specifications governing the project, industry standards, manufacturers' specifications. Contractor responsibility may not extend to items which have been subject to owner neglect, modifications, or abnormal use.

6.24.2 Defects in Equipment

Nothing in this Part creates a warranty or limitations on a warranty for defective equipment.

6.24.3 Applicable Building Code

A. For the purposes of this Part, the building code governing the life safety, structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fuel, gas, and energy requirements for well drillers, pump installers, and water-filtration/treatment-system work shall be the building code that was adopted and in effect at the time the work was completed.

B. Well drillers, pump installers, and water-filtration/treatment system contractors and installers must also comply with 216-RICR- 50-05-1 when working on public water systems as defined in R.I. Gen. Law §46-13-2.

6.24.4 Filtration and Treatment of Water

All installations and/or repairs shall meet or exceed all applicable State building codes, and Water Quality Association, and National Sanitation Foundation/American National Standards Institute standards.

6.24.5 Construction Standards for Public Water Wells

In addition to the applicable standards found in this Part, standards for public water systems, including wells, pumps, filtration/treatment and other appurtenances are set forth by the Rhode Island Department of Health in 216-RICR- 50-05-1.

6.24.6 Construction Standards for Non-Public Water Wells

A. Well Location Wells shall be located in a manner to reduce the likelihood of contamination from sources of pollution at or near the ground surface.

1. The following are minimum isolation distances from the listed potential contamination sources:

Distribution Box	75 feet
Septic Tank	75 feet
Sewage Disposal Field, including cesspools	100 feet
Sewer Line	50 feet
Road	25 feet from the edge of the road surface
Fuel Storage Tanks	As far as possible from wells
Livestock Pens / animal waste storage facility	No well shall be located within 100 feet
Active Agricultural Areas	Minimum of 20 feet and uphill whenever possible

2. Tiered Separation Distances between leach field and private wells based on OWTS Design Flow:

Design Flow (gpd)	Distance from Leach field (ft)
100
1000-1999	150
2000-4999	200
5000-9999	300

3. Source of Contamination Additional Distance Requirements

Agricultural chemical:
tank or container with 25 gallons or more or 100 pounds or more dry weight, or equipment filling or cleaning area without safeguards	150 feet
storage or equipment filling or cleaning area with safeguards	100 feet
storage or equipment filling or cleaning area with safeguards and roofed	50 feet
Anhydrous ammonia tank	50 feet
Animal:
feedlot, unroofed, 300 or more animal units	100 feet
feedlot, more than 1.0, but less than 300 animal units	50 feet
building or poultry building, including a horse riding area, more than 1.0 animal unit	50 feet
Rendering plant	100 feet
feeding or watering area within a pasture, more than 1.0 animal unit	50 feet
area to bury more than one animal unit	100 feet
building, feedlot, confinement area, or kennel, 0.1 to 1.0 animal unit	20 feet
Building, building projection, deck, overhang, permanent structure	3 feet
Cistern or reservoir, buried, non-pressurized water supply	20 feet
Composting
Leaf and yard waste	200 feet
Putrescible waste	200 feet
Mixed Solid Waste	1000 feet
Construction or demolition debris disposal area	500 feet
Cooling water pond, industrial	50 feet
Deicing chemicals, bulk road	50 feet
Drain field (see Absorption area)
Electric transmission line	10 feet
Electrical transformer storage area, oil-filled	50 feet
Elevator boring, not conforming to rule	50 feet
Elevator boring, conforming to rule	20 feet
Fertilizer chemigation tank, safeguarded, from irrigation well only	20 feet
Floor drain, grate, or trough connected to a buried sewer	50 feet
if buried sewer is air-tested, approved materials, serving one building, or two or less single-family residences	20 feet
Frost-proof yard hydrant or discharge of a frost-proof hydrant draining into the soil, fire hydrant or flushing hydrant	10 feet
Gas (flammable or volatile) pipe	10 feet
Grave or mausoleum	50 feet
Human Remains	100 feet
Gravel pocket or French drain for clear water drainage	20 feet
Hazardous substance:
tank or container, above ground or underground, 56 gallons or more, or 100 pounds or more dry weight, without safeguards	150 feet
tank or container, above ground or underground, 56 gallons or more, or 100 pounds or more dry weight with safeguards	100 feet
Buried piping:	50 feet
multiple storage tanks or containers for residential retail sale or use, no single tank or container exceeding 56 gallons or 100 pounds, but aggregate volume exceeding	50 feet
Horizontal ground source closed loop heat exchanger buried piping	50 feet
Horizontal ground source closed loop heat exchanger buried piping and horizontal piping, approved materials, and heat transfer fluid	10 feet
Household solid waste disposal area, single residence	100 feet
Interceptor, including a flammable waste or sediment	50 feet
Petroleum	300 feet
Unused, unsealed well or boring	50 feet
Vertical heat exchanger (vertical) piping, conforming to rule	35 feet
horizontal piping conforming to rule	10 feet
Wastewater rapid infiltration basin, municipal or industrial	300 feet
Wastewater spray irrigation area, municipal or industrial	150 feet
Wastewater stabilization pond municipal, 500 or more gallons/acre/day of leakage	300 feet
municipal, less than 500 gallons/acre/day of leakage	150 feet
industrial	150 feet
Wastewater treatment unit tanks, vessels, and components (Package plant)	50 feet
Water treatment backwash disposal area	50 feet
Water treatment backwash holding basin, reclaim basin, or surge tank with a direct sewer connection	50 feet
with a backflow protected sewer connection	50 feet
Stormwater Infiltration System, distances pursuant to 250-RICR- 150-10-8

3. The well driller shall inform the property owner of the proper isolation distances from pollution sources. The property owner shall provide information to the well driller on the location of existing reserved and permitted areas for subsurface disposal fields and other pollution sources. If the property owner is unable to provide such information, the property owner shall obtain that information from the city/town hall or the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Section of the Department of Environmental Management.

B. Variances

1. In those circumstances in which compliance with the requirements for locating a new or replacement non-public water well would result in undue hardship, property owners may seek a variance from any one or more of the siting requirements, in accordance with the following:

a. Except as specified in (c), from the building code board of appeals authorized in the municipality with jurisdiction over the property on which the well is proposed;

b. Except as specified in (c), in the absence of a local building code board of appeals, from the state building code board of appeals; and

c. From the Department of Environmental Management in all cases in which the well is proposed to be installed as part of an application for the new construction of or repair of an onsite wastewater treatment system. The appropriate authority specified above may grant a variance to the extent necessary to ameliorate the undue hardship and to the extent the exemption can be granted without impairing the intent and purpose of this chapter.

C. General Requirements for New Non-Public/Private Systems

1. Prior to being placed into service, the local building official shall verify that all new private water systems or existing private water systems meet all applicable codes and standards.

2. As specified in the rules and regulations for Private Drinking Water Systems (216-RICR- 50-05-2), all required testing shall be performed after all plumbing and water-using appliances are in place and the system has been properly disinfected in accordance with § 6.24.17 of this Part. The sampling point for this sample shall be an interior faucet that yields untreated (raw) well water. Testing must be conducted prior to the installation of any drinking water quality treatment systems. All drinking water quality treatment systems in-place shall be identified and noted.

3. All water samples for lead analyses shall be acquired as first draw samples from the cold-water tap. Bubblers or drinking fountains shall not be satisfactory sampling points. All treatment systems in-place shall be identified and noted.

D. Basic Restrictions

1. All water used in the construction, alteration, repair, hydro fracturing, surging or abandonment of a well shall be drawn from a potable source.

2. Organic materials which foster or promote undesired organic growth or have the potential to degrade water quality shall not be employed in the construction of a drinking water well. This includes but is not limited to brans, hulls, grains, starches, and proteins.

3. In no case shall explosives be detonated inside the well casing or liner pipe without written permission from the Rhode Island State Fire Marshall. The request shall include the type of explosive to be used and how they will be placed. In no case shall an explosive charge be dropped down a well or used to sever installed well casing or liner pipe.

4. System piping installed for geothermal wells shall not extend more than five (5) feet into a structure to a shutoff.

5. No well shall be used for the injection of surface water.

6. In no case shall a well be constructed to allow commingling or leakage of groundwater within an individual well by gravity flow or artesian pressure from different groundwater aquifers associated with different geological units.

7. All wells that yield contaminated or mineralized water, and therefore are not usable, must be adequately cased and sealed off to prevent contamination of the overlying or underlying water-bearing zones.

8. All wells when unattended during construction must be secured per recognized industry standards.

E. Drilling - General

1. The well driller shall not cause undue soil erosion or water pollution and shall not pollute the site with fuels, lubricants, solvents, or other contaminants used in construction of the well. Any drilling fluids used shall be disposed of properly.

2. The well driller shall use care in the selection and use of drilling fluids, additives, cements, and other materials to avoid materials and procedures that may adversely affect the drill site, or any groundwater encountered. Any chemical or other additives used in drilling along with rock cuttings shall be cleaned out from the well.

3. Well drillers drilling a well for potable water shall not reuse casing or drilling fluids that may have become contaminated. All drilling equipment that may have become contaminated during a drilling operation shall be thoroughly cleaned, decontaminated, and disinfected before reuse.

4. Disinfection shall be as per § 6.22.19 of this Part.

5. Wells shall be designed to be of adequate diameter and depth capable of yielding the quantity of water required by appendix B of these standards.

F. Pumps and Pumping Equipment

1. Pumps and pumping equipment shall be installed to make the most efficient use of well.

2. Pumps and pumping equipment shall be located to permit convenient access for inspection, maintenance, and repair.

3. In the event the base plate of a pump is placed directly over the well, the base plate shall be a type designed to form a water tight seal with the well casing or pump foundation.

4. The well shall be properly vented to allow for pressure changes within the well. It shall also be fitted with a pitless adaptor. All well covers must have sanitary seals.

5. Potable water must be used for priming all pumps.

6. The electrical wiring used in connection with the pump shall conform to the current specifications of the Rhode State Electrical Code (SBC- 5).

7. The pump installer shall disinfect a well subsequent to installation of a pump to the standards.

6.24.7 Standards for Wells in Unconsolidated Materials

A. Any well, constructed to obtain water from an unconsolidated rock formation shall be equipped with a screen, for the purpose of preventing the entrance of formation material into the well after the well has been developed and completed.

B. The well screen shall:

1. Be of a standard design and manufacture, for the specific purpose of well construction;

2. Be made of material adequate to withstand normal physical and chemical forces, applied to it during and after installation;

3. Have openings free of rough edges, irregularities, or other defects that may contribute to corrosion or clogging; and

4. Be provided with such fittings as are necessary to seal the top of the screen to the casing and to close the bottom, and in no case shall fittings be made of lead.

C. Any well, constructed in very coarse gravel largely free of fines, shall not, however, be required to have a screen; or, if a screen is used, the bottom may be left open.

D. Jetted or washed wells shall not be terminated in unconsolidated materials unless an adequate quantity of water free from fine soil particles can be withdrawn.

E. To allow for grouting, unconsolidated wells shall have an upper drill hole 3" or 4" greater in diameter than the nominal diameter of the permanent well casing, depending on the type of grout.

F. In all cases, cases a minimum of 18 feet of casing and casing seal will be required.

6.24.8 Standards for Artesian Wells

A. To allow for grouting, unconsolidated wells shall have an upper drill hole 3" or 4" greater in diameter than the nominal diameter of the permanent well casing, depending on the type of grout

B. Watertight unperforated casing shall extend and be sealed at least 5' into the confining formation immediately overlying the artesian water-bearing zone.

C. In all cases a minimum of 18 feet of casing and casing seal will be required.

D. If a well flows at the land surface, the well shall be equipped with a watertight mechanical cap, threaded or welded, and a control valve, so that all flow of water from the well can be completely stopped.

E. All flowing artesian wells shall be tested for artesian shut-in pressure in (psi) and rate of flow in ft/sec., or gal/min. under free discharge conditions. This data shall be reported on the well report.

6.24.9 Standards for Drilled Rock Wells

A. To allow for grouting, drilled rock wells shall have an upper drill hole 3" or 4" greater in diameter than the nominal diameter of the permanent well casing, depending on the type of grout.

B. The bottom of the casing shall be set securely into the rock in a manner which is adequate to prevent fluids, contaminations, or rock material from the ground surface or from any zone from entering the well.

C. All wells drilled into bedrock shall be completed with water tight casing and casing seal to a minimum depth of 18 feet below the land surface and no less than 5 feet into the bedrock.

D. A drive shoe may be used to assist in sealing the casing into bedrock.

E. When plastic casing is used, the seal shall be created by the use of a Jaswell-type seal tip, shale packer or equal.

F. When a well is re-cased for the purpose of shutting off undesirable water or sand, a Jaswell-type seal tip shall be used, and the annular space be grouted with an acceptable material.

G. A tapered hole to receive the outer diameter of the plain end casing is acceptable.

H. When bedrock is encountered within 10 feet, air may be used to lift the cuttings from the bore hole. However, when the depth to bedrock is greater the cuttings must be removed by slurries mudding method which will then insure the annular space to be free from voids to allow for proper grouting.

6.24.10 Construction of Shallow Wells in Unconsolidated Materials by Excavation (Dug Wells)

A. Dug wells are prohibited for new private and public drinking water systems but are permissible for other uses.

1. For situations where no other alternatives exist and such prohibition would be the sole factor in rendering the subject property non-buildable, application may be made to the Board for a variance to allow a dug well to be utilized as a private drinking water source.

B. The following standards pertain to repairs to existing dug wells that can be repaired to the extent required to maintain source potability.

1. Upper joints in well casings shall be sealed to exclude surface and near surface water from entering the well.

2. The bottom of the casing shall be set on a bed of clean crushed stone or naturally occurring coarse gravel, if present.

3. Crushed stone shall be placed around the exterior of the casing at the bottom section(s) to promote infiltration of water and provide additional storage, if appropriate for the soil conditions at the site.

4. Backfill shall be of an appropriate material and placed in a manner which will deter intrusion of soil into the well and reduce the likelihood of surface waters percolating directly into the well through the backfill.

5. Organic material shall not be used in the backfill including but not limited to: loam, peat, building paper, hay, or soil with organic matter.

6. Pea stone or other non-polluting barriers shall be used over the crushed stone to prevent fine soils from entering the crushed stone.

7. Backfill shall be compacted to reduce settlement.

8. The top of the backfill shall be covered with at least 2 feet of impervious material such as clay.

9. The ground surface at the well should be raised and graded to drain away from the well taking into consideration future settlement of the backfill.

10. The dug well shall be provided with a watertight cover constructed of a single integral material so as to prevent sources of contaminants from entering the well.

6.24.11 Casing

A. The casing material used on all water wells shall be of such strength and composition as to prevent the movement of water or contaminants into or out of the well in the interval so cased; and shall not distort, deform, collapse, crack, or disintegrate under normal conditions for the life of the well, or contaminate the water in the well.

B. The casing shall be adequate to provide for the installation, removal, and maintenance as appropriate of caps, pitless adaptors, screens, pumps, pipes, wires, or other devices which may be used throughout the normal life of the well.

C. Casing shall prevent intrusion of contaminants from the ground surface or unconsolidated soil layers into the well.

D. Steel well casing shall have a minimum wall thickness of 0.237 inches for wells drilled in bedrock and deep wells in unconsolidated materials.

E. Well casings shall have an airtight cover with a sanitary seal, and a screened vent to prevent the entrance of foreign matter into the well.

F. Well casing shall extend above the ground surface a minimum of 18 inches. In areas prone to flooding, additional casing heights must be installed to prevent entrance of surface water. Wells that serve public water system must adhere to the requirements of 216-RICR- 50-05-1.

G. The above requirements do not preclude the use of additional protection measures.

6.24.12 Grouting annular space

A. Public Wells: Well grouting for all public drinking water wells shall be in accordance with 216-RICR- 50-05-1.

B. Private Wells: Well grouting for all private drinking water wells may be accomplished as follows:

1. In cases where no more stringent standards are required, and there is no evidence of existing or potential contamination sources or excessively corrosive condition and the natural materials contain a significant proportion of naturally impervious materials mixed with drilling mud, the driller may fill the annular space with the natural materials excavated during the drilling of the well to meet the following requirements:

a. The annular space shall be fitted as completely as possible from the bottom or the casing to the land surface without any depressions, voids, holes or channels;

b. The driller shall employ whatever techniques are effective for the existing conditions to achieve maximum density, strength and impermeability of the fill material; and

c. The surface of the fill material shall be sloped away from the casing.

2. In cases where potentially contaminating or corrosive fluids are encountered, or impermeable natural materials cannot be adequately placed and compacted or where geologic conditions or the isolation distance may not be adequate, the annular space shall be grouted for the full length of the casing, or the portion thereof below the frost line or pitless adaptor, so that no fluids may move in the zone needing to be grouted.

3. In cases where frost heaving is likely, the annular space from the frost line to the ground surface may be filled with compacted granular fill to reduce the potential for frost heaving of the casing. The casing shall be securely supported by the surrounding fill material to a degree that it cannot be moved by manual means.

4. In no case will a driller leave a completed well with water flowing or standing in the annular space.

6.24.13 Maintenance, Repair, and Deepening of Wells

A. Valves and casing on all artesian wells shall be maintained in a condition so that the flow of water can be completely stopped when the water is not being put to beneficial use. All casing, liner pipe, and casing seals shall be maintained in a condition that will prevent surface or subsurface leakage of groundwater. Valves shall be closed when water is not being put to beneficial use. During period of subfreezing temperatures, care shall be taken to prevent damage due to freezing. The pressure gauge and petcock valve shall be maintained so that the artesian pressure can be accurately determined at any time.

B. If in repair of a drilled well the old casing is withdrawn, the well shall be re-cased and resealed.

C. The access port or airline on all wells shall be maintained in a condition that will prevent contamination of the water body. Access ports and air lines shall be maintained so that the position of the water table can be determined at any time.

D. In no case shall a dug well be deepened, unless the deepening is for the purpose of developing a bedrock or gravel packed drilled well. This is allowed only if the siting requirements listed in § 6.22.6 of this Part preclude the development of a drilled well elsewhere on the property.

6.24.14 Temporary Removal from Service

Any well to be temporarily removed from service, either due to a recess in construction or before commencing service, shall be capped with a watertight seal, watertight welded steel cap, or threaded cap. In the event that temporary removal from service is to be more than 90 days or more, the temporary steel cap must be welded to the well casing with a minimum of four (4) separate welds, evenly spaced, each at least 1/2 of an inch in length. Steel or cast-iron caps shall be at least 3/16 of an inch in thickness.

6.24.15 Decommissioning of Wells:

A. Abandoned wells, test wells and bores must be decommissioned.

B. Decommissioning of all potable water wells and potable test wells and bores associated with a private well shall be in accordance with 216-RICR- 50-05-1 and the following:

1. The well shall be disinfected prior to decommissioning in accordance with§ 6.22.18 of this Part.

2. All casing and screen materials that have salvage value may be removed by the contractor.

3. Upon completion of abandonment of the well, the top of the casing or grout material shall be terminated at least four (4) feet below the ground surface.

C. Decommissioning of ground water monitoring wells, piezometers, and others subsurface borings shall be done in compliance with 250-RICR- 150-05-03.

D. Decommissioning of a geothermal well shall be performed only by a licensed well driller.

6.24.16 Record of Wells

Within ten (10) days after completion of a new, reconstructed, replacement or decommissioned well, whether attached to an existing building or planned building, the licensed well contractor shall provide the owner, the Building Official and the Department of Health, a Well Completion Report on a form obtained from the Department of Health, completed in its entirety in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-13.2-5.

6.24.17 Electrical/Plumbing

Any licensed person or entity under these regulations may perform electrical and/or plumbing work as defined in the definitions of Rhode Island General Law 5-65.2-2 in relation to the work performed pursuant to these regulations and R.I. General Law. Nothing herein shall prohibit any Rhode Island licensed electrician or plumber from performing similar work. All electrical or plumbing work performed shall meet the State of Rhode Island; electrical code (SBC- 5) and plumbing code (SBC- 3).

6.24.18 Disinfecting

Disinfecting shall be accomplished in accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health well disinfection guidelines.

6.24.19 Drilling Depths

A. For the use of individual household, bedrock well of 6 inches in diameter shall be satisfactory when it meets the following minimum criteria:

1. With a yield of 5 gpm, a minimum depth of 100' or less is required.

2. With a yield of 3 1/2 gpm, a minimum depth of 150' is required.

3. With a yield of 2 gpm, a minimum depth of 200' is required.

4. With a yield of 1 gpm, a minimum depth of 300' is required.

5. With a yield of 1/2 gpm, a minimum depth of 450' is required.

B. This is assumed that the static water level is between 25 and 35 feet and the pump has been appropriately set to insure maximum productivity. The above is intended as a construction standard and does not imply or guarantee actual yield.

C. Special caution should be exercised in coastal areas because of potential saltwater intrusion.

440 R.I. Code R. 440-RICR-10-00-6.24

Adopted effective 12/19/2019