Proposed water well drilling regulation in Colorado could double costs

Coloradans who need a water well dug may be paying double what it costs now if a potential technical regulation about drilling is approved, according to a drilling company.

The Colorado Division of Water Resources and the State Engineer’s Office are seeking approval from the state Board of Examiners for a change in grouting regulations for well casings in water well construction. The board operates under the Division of Water Resources.

Grouting is the process of pouring cement-like grout around the outside of a well casing that is inserted into the drilled well hole. The grout seals water permeable layers off from other layers to prevent contamination and mixing of two or more underground aquifers.

Don Pearson of Pearson Drilling told The Denver Gazette the proposed regulation would require drillers to increase the diameter of the holes they drill to double the distance between the outside of the casing and the ground, which doubles the amount of grout required.

The proposed regulation, said Pearson, also increases the distance down the hole that grouting is required, which he also said could double grouting costs again.

In addition, Pearson said his company would have to spend about $150,000 just to buy new drill bits and other equipment to meet the new requirements.

Pearson said the new grouting requirements would prevent him from using PVC plastic pipe, as a well casing, because the pressure on the sides of the pipe, along with heat created by the chemical reaction as the grout cures, could collapse the casing in deeper wells.

This, he said, means only steel pipe can be used, which costs five times as PVC does.

The Board of Examiners is conducting a meeting on the proposal beginning on Aug. 13 and Aug. 14.

Interested persons can attend virtually on Google Meet on both days. The meetings will take place at 1313 Sherman St, Room 318 in Denver. Information on the meetings can be found at https://dwr.colorado.gov/public-information/boards-commissions/board-of-examiners-meetings.