Colorado Division of Water Resources Rule Changes Could Be Coming soon!

Significant increases in well drilling prices 
The Colorado Division of Water Resources is in the process of drafting a new set of rules and regulations governing water well construction.  If adopted, there will be significant changes that will dramatically increase the cost of well drilling.  Although The Colorado Division of Water Resources has no proof or evidence that the changes are necessary, they are moving forward with the process.  If adopted these new regulations could become effective as early as March 2025.  

If you have land in Pueblo County and you plan on drilling a well anytime in the future, we recommend drilling that well before these rules go into effect.  

What are they proposing to change that makes well drilling so expensive?
A lot of changes are being proposed.  However here are the highlights:  

They want to require a full length grout seal in all Type I wells.
Right now shallower wells in Pueblo county, typically less than 400' deep, can be cased with a PVC well casing.  This type of well requires a grout seal of 60 vertical feet.  The grout is installed around the outside of the well casing from the top of the aquifer upwards 60'.  The purpose of the grout seal is to keep any poor quality water from leaking into the aquifer. 
Under proposed new regulation this grout seal will be hundreds of feet thick.  PVC well casing cannot handle this volume of grout.  In turn we will be forced to case these wells with a steel well casing. Steel well casing is 5 times higher in cost than PVC casing. The full length grout requirement will triple the cost of grout material.

They are also proposing to require a larger diameter hole.
This will require much longer times to drill, added fuel and employment costs,  and even more grout needed because the hole is larger in diameter. These changes will require well drillers to re-tool and purchase additional equipment and tools to get this done. Our small family owned company will have to spend between 150K-200K in tools and equipment.  All of this will increase the cost of drilling.
We estimate these type I  wells will cost at least twice as much to complete as they do now.

Deeper wells in Pueblo county, Type I multiple confining layer wells, (typically over 400') already require steel well casing.  However, proposed changes will require a larger diameter hole, and an additional 200' vertical grout seal. This additional length in the gout seal and increased in hole diameter will increase the cost of this already expensive well by 30-40% .
 
Why are they proposing such a dramatic change in regulation?
There is no evidence that a larger hole diameter, or a longer grout seal will be more effective. The Colorado Division of Water Resources has acknowledged this fact. They simply believe what they are proposing will be better.

Is there a problem with the way wells are drilled now?   
The Colorado Division of Water Resources cannot find even one well that is creating issues because of current practices.  The way wells are drilled today far exceeds what is necessary for the protection of our groundwater.  

What can I do to avoid paying more for my well?
There are 2 ways to avoid paying more for your well. 

Number one is to wait and hope this regulation is not adopted. These rules may or may not be adopted; however, it is our belief that they will adopt this unnecessary change in regulation as they did in 2016. They had no evidence or need for the changes that were made in 2016, however they still adopted them.

The second way is to get your well drilled before these rules are adopted.  Although the timeline is not yet set, we anticipate these rules to become effective (if adopted) sometime around spring of 2025.   

Should I wait until early 2025 to get started?
We recommend starting the process now.  The well permitting process takes 4-8 weeks.  At minimum you should obtain a water well permit.  Permits are good for 2 years, can be renewed, and cost $100.00.  Water well drillers are already busy and have large backlogs.  Once word of this change in regulation gets out we will be even busier.  In 2016 we were unable to drill all the wells on our backlog before the rule change.  We recommend getting on the schedule while there is still time.  

Is there anything I can do to fight this change in regulation?
The adoption of these changes is the sole responsibility of the Board of Examiners. A board of 5 people will determine the future of well construction for the state of Colorado.  This link will take you the boards contact page.  We encourage you to contact members of the board and tell them these rules are not for Colorado; and they should not be adopted without scientific evidence of their necessity.   

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K7ju26nG1egvBIDcQn_iU5aEKBh1st-z/view


If you would like an estimate please email us at pearsondrillingps@hotmail.com.  We would be more than happy to write an estimate and answer any questions you have.