Water Well Abandonment in Illinois

When Does a Water Well Need to Be Abandoned?

Private wells can remain on a property long after they stop serving their original purpose.

Sometimes the property owner knows exactly where an old well is located and why it was taken out of service. In other situations, an unused well may be discovered during a property transaction, construction project or investigation of an older site.

Reasons to discuss water well abandonment with Reynolds may include:

• A private well is no longer being used
• An existing well has been replaced with a new water well
• The property has connected to a public water supply
• A well is damaged or no longer suitable for continued use
• A well needs to be addressed before construction or redevelopment
• A property transaction identifies an unused well
• A health department or other authority requires proper closure
• An old well conflicts with planned changes to the property

The presence of an unused well does not mean a property owner should immediately attempt to fill it. The appropriate abandonment method depends on the well and the requirements that apply to the project.

Why Proper Well Closure Matters

A water well creates a direct connection between the surface and subsurface formations.

While that connection is necessary when the well is actively supplying water, an unused or improperly closed well can create concerns once it is no longer maintained for that purpose.

Physical Safety

An inadequately protected or deteriorated well can present a physical hazard on a property. Simply hiding or covering the opening does not necessarily mean the underlying well has been properly addressed.

Groundwater Protection

A well extends below the surface and can potentially provide a pathway for surface contaminants to reach groundwater if it is not appropriately closed.

Professional abandonment is intended to address that pathway using methods and materials appropriate for well closure.

Property Transactions

An unused well can also become an issue when buying or selling property. If an old well is identified during a transaction, the parties may need to determine its status and whether proper abandonment is required.

Addressing the well professionally can help establish a clearer record of how it was handled.

Construction and Redevelopment

Existing wells can interfere with proposed construction, site improvements or redevelopment.

Identifying these wells before work begins gives the project team an opportunity to address abandonment requirements rather than discovering the issue after construction is underway.

Water Well Abandonment Is More Than Capping a Well

There is an important difference between covering an old well and properly abandoning it.

Placing a cap over an opening does not necessarily address the full depth or construction of the well. Likewise, filling a well with miscellaneous soil, debris or other readily available material should not be treated as an acceptable substitute for professional abandonment.

The appropriate closure method depends on factors such as the type and condition of the well and applicable regulations.

For that reason, Reynolds Well Drilling does not recommend that property owners attempt to determine or perform the abandonment procedure themselves.

If you discover an old well, contact a well professional before disturbing, covering or filling it.

How Is a Water Well Professionally Abandoned?

The exact Reynolds Well Drilling abandonment procedure should be confirmed with the company before publication, and requirements can vary based on the individual well.

At a high level, professional water well abandonment may involve:

1. Evaluating the existing well – Identify relevant characteristics and conditions that affect closure.
2. Determining applicable requirements – Consider the regulations and coordination requirements that apply to the property and well.
3. Preparing the well – Complete appropriate preparation before sealing or filling begins.
4. Closing the well with appropriate materials and methods – Use materials and procedures suitable for compliant well abandonment.
5. Completing applicable documentation or coordination – Address records, notifications or other requirements associated with the completed closure where applicable.

This is intentionally a high-level overview rather than a set of instructions for closing a well. Specific materials, procedures and documentation requirements should be determined by qualified professionals based on the actual project.

Well Abandonment for New Construction

A well does not have to be damaged to become incompatible with a property’s future use.

Construction and redevelopment projects can change how a site is laid out. An existing well may fall within a proposed building area or otherwise conflict with planned work.

Reynolds Well Drilling can assist when a well must be properly abandoned to make way for new construction.

For homeowners and builders, identifying the well early can help incorporate closure into broader project coordination.

If a new private water source will replace the existing well, Reynolds also provides Water Wells services. This gives property owners an experienced drilling resource for discussing both the old well and the new residential water-supply needs.

Water Well Abandonment for Compliance Requirements

Some abandonment projects begin because a property owner, contractor or professional team has been told that an existing well needs to be properly closed.

Health departments and other applicable authorities may have requirements governing how wells are abandoned. Those requirements should be addressed based on the jurisdiction, well and project rather than generalized from another property.

Reynolds Well Drilling can assist clients who need well abandonment for compliance purposes and help coordinate the drilling-related portion of the project.

This capability can be relevant to:

• Residential property owners
• Buyers and sellers
• Builders and contractors
• Developers
• Engineering firms
• Environmental consultants
• Other professional project teams

If you have received instructions or requirements concerning an existing well, provide that information when contacting Reynolds so the project can be discussed in the appropriate context.

Well Abandonment During Property Transactions

An unused well discovered during a real estate transaction can create questions for both buyers and sellers.

How old is the well? Is it still active? Was it previously abandoned? Was the closure performed appropriately? Is additional action required?

These questions should be answered based on the specific well and applicable requirements rather than assumptions about what a previous property owner may have done.

If an unused well needs to be addressed before a transaction can proceed, Reynolds can discuss the well’s condition and the abandonment work that may be required.

Supporting Larger Investigation and Redevelopment Projects

Well abandonment can also intersect with projects that extend beyond residential water supply.

Engineering, environmental and development teams may encounter existing wells while evaluating or preparing a site. Reynolds’ specialized drilling capabilities allow these professional partners to discuss abandonment alongside other subsurface project needs.

Related capabilities include Test Drilling for subsurface investigations and Direct Push services for applicable specialized projects.

These services serve different purposes, but Reynolds’ experience working below the surface provides professional teams with a drilling contractor that can discuss multiple project requirements when relevant.

Water Well Abandonment Throughout Illinois

Reynolds Well Drilling provides well abandonment services across Illinois, supporting individual homeowners as well as contractors, developers and professional project teams.

Requirements and site conditions can vary, which makes it important to evaluate the actual well rather than rely on a generic closure procedure.

Whether an unused well was discovered behind an older home, needs to be addressed during a property sale or stands in the way of a new construction project, Reynolds can help determine the appropriate next steps for professional closure.