Abandoned Wells
The Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) is asking for the public’s help in identifying improperly abandoned wells. Wells that have not been properly abandoned can be deadly hazards to animals and humans and can contaminate Idaho’s ground water. With an estimated 250,000 wells in the state, one doesn’t have to be too imaginative to consider that there may be dangers.
Here’s Bob McLaughlin, ?Public Information Officer, ?Idaho Department Of Water Resources: “Many domestic wells are only six inches in diameter, but some irrigation wells can be as large as 16 to 24 inches in diameter -- large enough for a full-grown person to fall into if not properly decommissioned. Earlier this month, a hunting dog fell 270 feet into the bottom of an abandoned well in the South Hills near Twin Falls, nearly killing the dog. Improperly abandoned wells also can provide a direct pathway for chemicals, bacteria, pesticides, herbicides, manure, fertilizer and petroleum products to contaminate underground aquifers that are used to provide drinking water. Once an underground aquifer is contaminated it is nearly impossible to remediate.”
