  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 1996
96-140
CONTACT:
Igor Vern (360) 407-0281
Renee Guillierie (360) 407-6239
Goldendale Well Driller Fined For Repeated Violations
LACEY, WA --Donald Read of Goldendale has been fined $4,000 for repeated violations of state well drilling standards to protect public health and the environment. Read's company is known as Bill's Well Drilling.
"We know of three situations where Mr. Read's work has left consumers with unusable water and put the neighbors' drinking water at risk," said Carol Fleskes, Department of Ecology Shorelands and Water Resources Program manager. "Mr. Read has caused serious problems for people who hired him to drill wells for them. And he has failed to correct the problems."
The latest incident left rural Skamania County resident Suzanne Hannonen with sand and mud in her water from two wells drilled by Read. Hannonen is now getting water from a third well through a one-inch pipe running across an easement road.
When Ecology staff responded to Hannonen's complaints they found five wells that were improperly sealed. Improper seals can allow dirt, debris and other pollutants to enter wells. They also found that two wells drilled for Hannonen had water in them, although the driller claimed they were dry. The wells were so poorly constructed that they allowed groundwater to move from one underground aquifer to another. When this happens, contamination can spread from one well to many others.
-MORE- Since January 1995, the Southwest Washington Health District, under an agreement with Ecology, has had authority to administer and enforce the well sealing and decommissioning portions of the state Water Well Construction Act. Drillers working in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties must notify the Health District 48 hours before they work on a well. This gives the District opportunity to spot check well sealing and decommissioning work.
"The response from the drilling community has been fabulous, very enouraging and nearly and 100 percent compliance," said John L. Louderback, Environmental Health Supervisor. "However, Mr. Read has refused to provide this basic information even after numerous written and verbal requests."
Ecology has ordered Read to repair or decommission the Hannonen wells within ten days, and wells owned by her neighbors within 30 days. For the next six months, Read must call Ecology 72 hours before any well drilling work is done, in addition to mailing the normally required written notice. He also must meet with Ecology to work out a plan to ensure that he meets well drilling standards in the future. Read can appeal the penalty and order to the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
"We will be checking Mr. Read's work for the next six months to make sure he's drilling wells properly and not causing problems for consumers or water quality," said Fleskes.
There is a three-year limitation of liability for well drillers in Washington State. This means that three years after a well is drilled the owner must pay to correct any problems caused by improper drilling. Fleskes advised consumers to make sure a well driller is licensed and check references before hiring a driller.
Problems and questions about well drilling can be directed to Joe Hunt at the Health District at 360-696-8428 or to Ecology at 1-800-468-0261. Ecology has several brochures on wells for consumers, including sealing wells, capping wells, abandoning wells, and a homeowners guide to wells. Single copies are free and can be obtained by calling (360) 407-7472.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
