2 CCR 402-2-11 - MINIMUM PUMP INSTALLATION AND CISTERN INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Basis and Purpose: The statutory authority for this Rule is found in sections 37-91-101(1), 37-91-104(1)(c), 37-91-109(1) & (2), 37-91-110(2), C.R.S. The purpose of this Rule is to establish the minimum standards for installing pumping equipment and cisterns that are connected to water well supply systems in order ensure that such installation prevents harm to the public health, will not impair water quality or cause contamination of shared groundwater resources, and will ensure the safety of groundwater resources for Colorado's existing and future populations.

11.1 General Rules - All permanent pump installations and cistern installations in or connected to a new or existing water well supply system must be completed by a licensed pump installation contractor or a private pump installer (see Sections 37-91-102 (12.5) and 37-91-109(2), C.R.S.). Pumping equipment may be installed in wells constructed and used solely for purposes of aquifer remediation (recovery well) or temporary dewatering (dewatering well) by authorized individuals or anyone directly employed by or under the supervision of an authorized individual. It is the responsibility of the person installing the pumping equipment to ensure that a valid well permit authorizing such installation exists in accordance with the requirements of Rule 6.2.2.1 and 6.2.2.2.

11.1.1 Licensed water well construction contractors who are not licensed as pump installation contractors may not install pumping equipment in a well, except for temporary pumps used only for well development and testing.

11.1.2 Licensed pump installation contractors may not remove casing or install casing except for:

a. removal, alteration, or repair of casing to install a pitless adapter or pitless unit,

b. the upward extension of existing casing from the pitless adapter or pitless unit, or

c. the installation or replacement of casing in a well constructed through a single aquifer where such installation or replacement does not require the placement of grout in the annulus to meet the standards of these Rules.

11.1.3 Licensed pump installation contractors may not install grout in the annular space of a well or between well casing as required by Rule 10. This prohibition does not apply to grout installation associated with the installation of a pitless adapter, or grout installed in a well to abandon the well pursuant to Rule 16.

11.1.4 Pumping systems may not be designed to exceed the permitted pumping rate at the point of delivery when operating under normal design conditions.

11.1.5 Pump installation contractors and private pump installers must submit a pump installation report every time a pump is installed in a well or for any change in the pump depth setting. The report must describe the pump, date of installation, its depth setting, static water level, and the results from the production equipment test required by Rule 12.

11.2 Installation Standards - Pumps, cisterns, pitless units and adapters, and related equipment that will be installed as part of, or connected to, a water well supply system must be installed in such a manner that the well, pump, cistern, and surrounding area will be kept in a sanitary condition, and will provide adequate protection against contamination from any surface or subsurface source.

11.2.1 Pump installation contractors may not cut off or penetrate well casing below ground level except to install a pitless adapter or a pitless unit. Pitless adapters must be installed on steel casing that extends to a minimum of one (1) foot above the finished ground level and must be watertight. Pitless units must have steel extensions to a minimum of one (1) foot above the finished ground level. All connections to the pitless adapters or pitless units must be made with threaded, flanged, welded or mechanical joints. Mechanical joints must be rodded across the connection and secured to the body of the well casing or pitless assembly. In the event it is necessary to cut off the outermost casing below ground level in order to install a pitless unit on the inner casing, the contractor must comply with the requirements of Rule 10.5.2.1.

11.2.2 A pump installation contractor may only install a pitless adapter or pitless unit if, after such installation, the minimum continuous grout interval required by Rule 10.4 and Rule 10.5 is maintained.

11.2.3 Flowing wells must be equipped so that the discharge can be controlled or stopped at all times. It is the responsibility of the pump installation contractor or private pump installer to install such equipment. Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the well owner to ensure the equipment is maintained and operational.

11.2.4 Pump installation contractors may not cut off or penetrate cisterns below ground level except to install watertight devices for water line or electrical connections.

11.3 Cistern Installation and Location - When selecting a cistern location, consideration must be given to topography, drainage, sources of contaminants, and other onsite conditions in order to promote sanitary conditions and prevent contamination of the well and aquifer.

11.3.1 A cistern installed below ground level must be constructed and placed in such a manner to withstand saturated soil pressures when empty.

11.3.2 A cistern installed below ground level must be watertight and the access portal must extend to at least one foot above the ground surface. The backfill material must be sloped away from the access portal.

11.3.3 A cistern installed below ground level must be buried to an adequate depth to prevent freezing.

11.3.4 A cistern installed below ground level must be properly bedded and backfilled in accordance with the manufacturers recommendation.

11.3.5 A cistern placed in a building must be placed in an area that is adequate to support the anticipated loads of the cistern, full of water, all pumping equipment, and controls.

11.3.6 A cistern must be placed in an area accessible to service.

11.3.7 When an existing cistern is connected to a water well supply system, the installation or connection must be performed by a licensed pump installation contractor. See § 37-91-109(2), C.R.S. The cistern that is connected to the water well supply system must meet all of the requirements of Rules 11.3 and 11.4 and any relevant local regulation.

11.4 Location Variance - A cistern installed below ground level must not be located closer than one hundred (100) feet horizontally to the nearest existing source of contaminants or fifty (50) feet horizontally from a septic tank, sewer line or other vessel containing contaminants. A request for variance must be submitted and written approval from the Board must be obtained prior to the construction of a cistern that cannot meet this spacing requirement. The variance request must be prepared in accordance with Rule 18.2 by a pump installation construction contractor or authorized individual, and must be based on hydrogeologic information.

11.5 Seals and Vents -

11.5.1 Well Seals - All pumping equipment must be installed with an effective metal well seal at the top of the casing that will prevent the entry of contaminants into the well. The pumping equipment must be designed to allow for its installation and removal through an approved well seal and to prevent unprotected openings from connecting with the interior of the pump or well. Only metal well seals (with metal caps) are approved well seals within the meaning of this Rule and section 37-91-102(18), C.R.S.

11.5.2 Well and cistern vents - When needed or used, well or cistern vents must be connected with watertight joints and permit air to freely enter and exit the well with changing water levels in the casing. Vents may be an integral part of the well or cistern seal or be attached to the seal and terminate a minimum of one (1) foot above the finished ground level, be turned down, and screened to prevent entry of insects and rodents. Vents must be constructed to vent all gases to the atmosphere outside of a building and to prevent gas accumulation that could produce a health or explosion hazard.

11.6 Well Vaults - New well vault installations are not permitted unless the Board approves a specific variance request. If a variance is granted by the Board, provisions must be made to prevent contaminants from entering the well and for gravity drainage of the vault through a floor drain or by an automatic sump pump.

11.6.1 Existing Well Vaults The vault must be structurally sound to support anticipated surface loads and the top must be watertight, including any manhole covers. The well casing must extend at least one (1) foot above the floor of the vault and must have a well seal to prevent contaminants from entering the well. Provisions must be made for gravity drainage of the vault through a floor drain or by an automatic sump pump. All drain openings must be screened to prevent the entry of rodents and insects.

11.6.2 Well construction or pump installation contractors encountering unacceptable well vaults must make every effort to bring the well vault into compliance with these Rules. If it is not possible to correct the problems, the contractor must notify the Board of Examiners.

11.7 Water Level Measurement Devices - A water level sounding tube must be installed on all wells whenever the permit issued by the State Engineer requires installation of water level measuring equipment. The water level sounding tube must have a minimum inside diameter of 3/4 (.75) inch. It must extend from the well head to the top of the pump discharge equipment and must be securely attached to the column or drop pipe so that it hangs straight. All tubes must be equipped with a removable cap or plug to prevent entry of foreign material. The bottom of the tube must be constructed to allow the free entry and exit of water and to prevent the measuring device from passing out of the bottom of the tube.

11.8 Compliance with Applicable Law All persons authorized to install pumps and cisterns must comply with applicable federal, state, county, municipal and local laws, regulations, and codes.

11.8.1 Electrical Connection of Pumping Equipment Only licensed pump installation contractors, private pump installers, or licensed electrical contractors, using appropriately licensed or supervised personnel, may install electrical materials and connections between the well head junction box and the pump service disconnect box (see Figure 6). The materials, fittings, and control assemblies used for this installation must meet the standards of the NFPA 70: National Electric Code (2014), and are subject to permitting and inspection by the Colorado State Electrical Board. Electric power to the pump service disconnect box must be installed by either a licensed electrical contractor or the property owner.

FIGURE 6

REQUIREMENTS FOR WELL WIRING

* Electrical permit required prior to installation

* Inspection required before concealment

* Rejections require reinspection fee

* Residential, domestic use only

* Not over 300 volts single phase

* use approved Electrical fittings, materials, and control assemblies

Click to view image

1. Well casing

2. Well head

3. Metal nipple

4. Approved weatherproof box

5. Approved electrical conduit

6. Conductors approved for direct burial. Size of conductors to be determined by size of pump motor and distance. Well casing shall be bonded to the pump circuit equipment grounding conductor in junction box on well casing

7. Controller- licensed electrical contractor or licensed well contractor

8. Disconnect- installed by licensed electrical contractor or licensed well contractor

9. Foundation- all wiring through or under foundation, or under concrete floor, to be installed in approved electrical conduit

Note: Conduit must extend 18 inches below finished grade from well junction box

11.8.2 Plumbing Connection of the Pumping Equipment Only persons authorized to install pumps may install piping and connection between the well and the point of discharge from the pressure tank, if such a tank is installed. All materials and fittings used to connect the well to the pressure tank must meet the standards of the Rules and Regulations of the Colorado State Plumbing Board, 3 CCR 720-1.

11.9 Pressure Relief Valve All water well supply systems capable of producing pressures greater than seventy-five (75) pounds per square inch must be equipped with a pressure relief valve sized to discharge the production rate of the pumping system.

11.10 Backflow Prevention Pump installations and cistern installations must have check valves, backflow prevention devices or suitable air gap cross-connection controls, if necessary to prevent damage to the pumping equipment and contamination of the aquifer.

11.10.1 Pump installations and cisterns supplying irrigation water where fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or other chemicals are injected into the water must be equipped to prevent well or aquifer contamination. The installation must comply with Section 35-11-107, C.R.S. and the Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Chemigation Act, 8 CCR 1203-8, promulgated by the Department of Agriculture pursuant to the Colorado Chemigation Act, Article 11 of Title 35, C.R.S.

11.11 Disinfection After installing a pump or cistern, and prior to placing the well in service, the person authorized to install pumping equipment must disinfect the well, all pumping equipment, and the water supply system up to the pressure tank according to the provisions of Rule 15.

Notes

2 CCR 402-2-11

39 CR 11, June 10, 2016, effective 9/1/2016 41 CR 11, June 10, 2018, effective 7/1/2018