Wells are where we access groundwater, which is an essential resource for not only our lifestyles but our planet. Many plants and creatures alike depend on groundwater resources to stay alive.
This is also a vital part of what makes Olympia so gorgeous and such an amazing place to live–our access to natural beauty is unmatched. But that natural beauty must be treated well in order for it to continue living alongside us, and well decommissioning in Olympia is one major part of that.
An incorrectly decommissioned well can be a disaster for the local environment, not only incurring large legal fees, but also damaging local plant life and harming the wildlife we adore so much. Let’s talk about some of the dangers that come with improper well decommissioning.
Cross-Contamination Concerns
Water flows in very predictable ways, but it can reach other bodies of water easily. For instance, water always flows down where gravity pulls it, but it also can flow through materials like the ground. This means that your well might actually be a resource that flows into another water source, like a reservoir or a pond. These are integral for the local ecosystem.
While your well might seem like it’s disconnected from the rest of your neighborhood or local properties, that’s not always the case. Improper decommissioning or abandonment can lead to cross-contamination where this well water becomes contaminated and leeches into another water source.
Erosion of Land and Structural Instability
Water tables can be studied to see where erosion will take place. Water is one of the most powerful terraforming forces on the planet, and it can easily wipe away a cliffside when given enough time. This is why knowing where water flow is going to be a huge benefit to your local municipality.
If we’re not careful and too many wells drop off the radar, either through abandonment or improper decommissioning, we could see erosion on nearby properties that cause damage and even endanger lives.
Contamination of Local Wildlife
Local wildlife might still depend on that groundwater even if you don’t anymore. Part of our pledge as a local well decommissioning company is to be stewards for the next owner of the land. Someone else might buy property nearby and drill a well, but they deserve to have access to the same beautiful natural wildlife that you do. This means taking care of the decommissioned well properly so that no critters or plants are harmed by possible contamination.
Public Health Hazards, Fees, and More
Our local municipality is very good at determining when a public health hazard is affecting our community. It’s an essential service and that’s why we’re very thankful. But this also means that they can pinpoint when or where a contaminant was introduced to the local water supply, and those can sometimes be from abandoned wells that were not properly decommissioned.