Oregon Administrative Code

690-217-0010 Definitions The following definitions apply to OAR 690, division 217: (1) “Air Line”: A tube or pipe installed in a well specifically for the purpose of determining the water level by measuring the air pressure required to purge it of water. (2) “Commission”: Water R…

690-217-0015 Policy Statement (1) The owner of a well which is the source of water listed on a water right permit or certificate shall conduct, or cause to be conducted, pump tests and report the results to the Water Resources Commission as outlined in OAR 690-217-0005 to 690-217…

690-217-0020 Requirements for Pump Tests (1) For water right applications received on or after December 20, 1988, a pump test as described in OAR 690-217-0005 to 690-217-0055 is required before a certificate of water right will be issued. The results of the test shall be submitte…

690-217-0025 Pump Test Specifications for Wells Other than Flowing Artesian Wells The pump tests for wells other than flowing artesian wells shall be conducted such that the following minimum specifications are met: (1) The well shall be idle for a period of at least sixteen hour…

690-217-0030 Pump Test Specifications for Flowing Artesian Wells with Pumps (1) Pump tests for flowing artesian wells with pumps shall be conducted such that the following minimum specifications are met. (2) The well shall be shut in for at least sixteen hours prior to the test a…

690-217-0035 Pump Test Specifications for Flowing Artesian Wells without Pumps If a flowing artesian well is not fitted with a pump and is normally used in an open discharge fashion, the test shall be conducted in the following manner: (1) The well shall be shut in for 16 hours p…

690-217-0040 Nearby Wells and Streams (1) If the well to be tested is within one-quarter mile of a stream, lake or other surface water body, it shall be noted on the pump test report along with the distance between the well and that surface water body. The approximate elevation d…

690-217-0045 Acceptable Techniques for Measurement of Water Level and Discharge (1) Water level measurements shall be taken by one of the following methods: (a) An electric water level measuring tape specifically designed for this purpose. Depth markings on the tape shall be no m…

690-217-0050 Qualifications for Conducting Pump Tests Only pump tests conducted by the well owner, a full-time employee of the well owner who routinely works with and is familiar with wells and pumps, or a qualified individual authorized by the well owner shall be accepted by the…

690-217-0055 Pump Test Reports Results of pump tests shall be reported on the pump test report form supplied by the Water Resources Department. The person conducting the pump test shall be responsible for completing and certifying the pump test report. The well owner shall sign a…

690-220-0005 Temporary Abandonment Any water supply well to be temporarily removed from service, temporarily abandoned due to a recess in construction, or temporarily abandoned before commencing service, shall be capped with a watertight seal, watertight welded steel cap, or thre…

690-220-0030 Permanent Abandonment (1) Any water supply well that is to be permanently abandoned shall be completely filled in such a manner that vertical movement of water within the well bore, including vertical movement of water within the annular space surrounding the well ca…

690-220-0035 Abandonment of an Existing Water Well After Replacement A landowner who replaces an old well by drilling a new well shall permanently abandon the old well if the old well is within a setback as defined in OAR 690-210-0030. Permanent abandonment of a well located with…

690-220-0040 Abandonment of Cased Wells (1) If all or a portion of the water supply well casing or the liner pipe is not removed during the abandonment of a well, the remaining casing or liner shall be thoroughly ripped or perforated. The number and size of perforations may vary,…

690-220-0050 Abandonment of Uncased Wells (1) Uncased portions of water supply wells to be permanently abandoned shall be completely filled with cement grout, concrete or unhydrated bentonite: (See Figure 220-1) (Figure 220-2) (2) Uncased portions of water supply wells that penet…

690-220-0070 Abandonment of Artesian Wells In addition to OAR 690-220-0040 and 690-220-0050, the flow of artesian water supply wells to be abandoned shall be confined or restricted by cement grout applied under pressure, or by the use of a suitable well packer, or a wooden plug p…

690-220-0080 Abandonment of Driven and Jetted Wells Provided an annular seal meeting the requirements of OAR 690-210-0180 can be confirmed, a cement grout plug shall be placed by grout pipe opposite all perforations or openings in the water supply well casing. The remainder of th…

690-220-0090 Abandonment of Filter or Gravel Pack Wells Filter or gravel pack water supply wells may only be abandoned under a special standard. Any method of abandonment proposed must ensure that all perforated sections of the casing will be pressure grouted throughout, and that…

690-220-0095 Abandonment of Dug Wells (1) Abandonment of a dug water supply well shall be approved by the Department before work is started. The Department shall be notified of the proposed abandonment. The notification shall include: (a) Location; (b) Name of the owner; (c) Well…

690-220-0100 Obstructions and Possible Contaminants All obstructions or debris which may interfere with effective sealing operations shall be removed from the water supply well to be abandoned. Any foreign matter capable of causing ground water contamination shall be removed prio…

690-220-0110 Removal of Well Casing During Abandonment If the casing of a water supply well is removed during abandonment, the well shall be plugged and sealed in accordance with OAR 690-220-0030 through 690-220-0050 and shall be filled with sealing materials as the casing is rem…

690-220-0115 Unhydrated Bentonite and Method of Placement (1) When abandoning a pre-existing well with unhydrated bentonite the Water Supply Well Constructor shall provide additional notification to the Regional Well Inspector or the Well Construction Program Coordinator in Salem…

690-220-0120 Cement Grout Cement grout for use in abandonment operations shall conform to the requirements of OAR 690-210-0310. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 History: Renumbered from 690-063-0031, WRD 13-198…

690-220-0130 Concrete Concrete for use in abandonment operations shall conform to the requirements of OAR 690-210-0315. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 History: WRD 7-2001, f. & cert. ef. 11-15-01 WRD 13-1986,…

690-220-0140 Method of Placement of Concrete or Cement Grout Concrete or cement grout used as a sealing material in abandonment operations shall be introduced at the bottom of the well or required sealing interval and placed progressively upward to the top of the well. All such s…

690-225-0020 Investigation of Alleged Violations (1) The Water Resources Director, upon the Director's own initiative, or upon complaint alleging violation of statutes, standards or rules governing construction, alteration, conversion, or abandonment of wells may cause an investi…

690-225-0030 Enforcement Actions (1) If, after notice and opportunity for hearing under ORS 183.310 to 183.550 the Director determines that one or more violations have occurred, the Director may take one or more of the following actions: (a) Provide a specified time for remedy; (…

690-225-0040 Multiple Violations and Consolidation of Proceedings In cases of multiple or continuing violations, each occurrence of substantially the same activity and each days continuance of a violation after the responsible party has been notified is a separate and distinct vi…

690-225-0050 Factors Affecting Selection of Type and Degree of Enforcement In selecting the appropriate type and degree of enforcement, the Director may consider the following factors: (1) Whether the constructor's file demonstrates a pattern of prior similar violations; (2) Whet…

690-225-0060 Change in Enforcement Status (1) In the interest of achieving compliance, the Director at any time may reevaluate the status of the violations and take appropriate action, including reduction of the enforcement level or remission of all or part of any civil penalties…

690-225-0100 Assessment of Civil Penalties Under OAR 690-225-0030(1) the Director may at any time select the most appropriate enforcement tool, including assessment of civil penalties, to gain compliance. However, the Director shall not impose a civil penalty if compliance has be…

690-225-0110 Schedule of Civil Penalties (1) The amount of civil penalty shall be determined consistent with the following schedule: (a) Not less than $50 nor more than $250 for each occurrence defined in these rules as a minor violation; (b) Not less than $200 nor more than $1,0…

690-230-0005 Policy and Purpose (1) All low-temperature geo-thermal fluids are part of the groundwater resources of the State of Oregon and shall be administered by the Water Resources Commission (Commission) under the provisions of ORS 537.010 to 537.796. The Commission recogniz…

690-230-0020 Definitions (1) “Bottom hole temperature” means the maximum temperature measured in the well or borehole. It is normally attained directly adjacent to the producing zone, commonly at or near the bottom of the borehole, and will in all cases be greater than or equal t…

690-230-0030 Construction of Low-Temperature Geothermal Production and Injection Wells (1) Low-temperature geothermal production and injection wells shall be constructed in conformance with applicable rules (OAR 690-200-0005 to 690-225-0110) with specific additions and modificati…

690-230-0040 Location of Low-Temperature Geothermal Injection Wells Not Exceeding 15,000 Gallons Per Day (1) No low-temperature geothermal injection well with an anticipated injection rate of less than 15,000 gallons per day shall be located within 75 feet of any existing low-tem…

690-230-0045 Location of Low-Temperature Geothermal Injection Wells Exceeding 15,000 Gallons Per Day The owner of any low-temperature geothermal injection well having an anticipated injection rate of greater than 15,000 gallons per day is required to have a separation distance be…

690-230-0050 Description of Proposed Well Use (Start Card) For any low-temperature geo-thermal production or injection well, the report required under ORS 537.762 prior to commencing well construction shall identify the intended use of the well, the owner’s name and the owner’s m…

690-230-0060 Identification of Intended Well Use (Well Log) Any low-temperature geothermal production or injection well shall be clearly identified as such on the water supply well report filed with the Water Resources Department under ORS 537.765. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS …

690-230-0070 Well-Head Protection Equipment Adequate well-head equipment to insure public safety and the protection of the groundwater resource shall be immediately installed on any low-temperature geothermal production well or low-temperature geothermal injection well when the t…

690-230-0075 Disposal of Low-Temperature Geothermal Fluids Produced During Drilling and Testing Low-temperature geothermal fluids produced during drilling or testing of a low-temperature geothermal production or injection well shall be disposed of in a manner that minimizes hazar…

690-230-0080 Pump Testing of Low-Temperature Geothermal Injection Wells with an Anticipated Injection Rate of Less than 15,000 Gallons Per Day (1) All low-temperature geothermal injection wells with an anticipated injection rate of less than 15,000 gallons per day shall be pump t…

690-230-0085 Pump Testing of Low-Temperature Geothermal Injection Wells with an Anticipated Injection Rate Exceeding 15,000 Gallons Per Day (1) Low-temperature geothermal injection wells (other than flowing artesian wells) with an anticipated injection rate of greater than 15,000…

690-230-0090 Water Temperature Measurement The water supply well report prepared for any low-temperature geothermal well that is tested by pumping water from the well, shall include the temperature of the fluid as measured at the discharge point at the beginning and end of a time…

690-230-0100 Additional Standards for Low-Temperature Geothermal Injection Wells Procedures required to inject effluent into a low-temperature geothermal injection well shall not cause failure of the well casing and/or seal materials or other components of the well structure, inc…

690-230-0110 Injection Plan for Wells with an Anticipated Injection Rate Not Exceeding 15,000 Gallons Per Day No low-temperature geothermal injection well shall be used for injection without approval of the Director in accordance with OAR 690-210-0070. The injection plan for the …

690-230-0115 Injection Plan for Wells with an Anticipated Injection Rate Exceeding 15,000 Gallons Per Day No low-temperature geothermal injection well shall be used for injection without approval of the Director in accordance with OAR 690-210-0070. The injection plan for the prop…

690-230-0120 Water Rights Procedure Processing of Applications The appropriator shall make application for a water right to appropriate low-temperature geothermal fluid unless an exemption is provided for under ORS 537.545. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 183, 536, 537 & 540 Statu…

690-230-0130 Exemption from Water Right Permit Application/Use of Low-Temperature Geothermal Fluid (1) Low-temperature geothermal fluid appropriation for single industrial or commercial use including, but not limited to, electrical, agricultural, aquacultural, heating and/or cool…

690-230-0140 Water Right Limitation for Nonstandard Effluent Disposal Systems If the low-temperature geothermal effluent is disposed of by way of a nonstandard low-temperature geothermal effluent disposal system, the right to appropriate the low-temperature geothermal fluid shall…