Decommissioning a well means to permanently fill and seal it, eliminating it as a source of water. Unused and unmaintained wells threaten the groundwater that supplies your well, and possibly your neighbours’ wells. If you have an unused well on the property that could potentially contaminate the aquifer, the department of environment requires that it be decommissioned by a licensed driller.
If more than one well exists on the property, you should find out why. It may indicate previous
- water shortages
- well contamination
- improper construction of a well
- construction of a well for purposes other than drinking and regular household use