We get calls every day from well owners who are experiencing yellow water, low water pressure or no water coming out of their faucets at all. Most of the time, it is an issue with the well, the pump or the pressure tank. However, more and more frequently, the cause of these type of problems is because of a nearby high-capacity well or wells that are drawing down large amounts of water. In these instances, people want to know if they can do anything about it. Below is an excerpt from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that has some helpful information if your well happens to be affected by a neighboring high-capacity well:
“State statute IC 14-25-4 is known informally as the ‘ground water rights law.’ It protects owners of most small-capacity water wells from significant ground water withdrawal facilities. The law defines a significant ground water withdrawal facility as "the ground water withdrawal facility of a person that, in the aggregate from all sources and by all methods, has the capability of withdrawing at least one hundred thousand (100,000) gallons of ground water in one (1) day." One hundred thousand gallons per day equals 70 gallons per minute. High-capacity ground water users may be industries, irrigators, public water supply operators, or quarries. To be protected from a nearby significant ground water withdrawal facility, a small-capacity well must satisfy one of the following criteria:
If your well no longer furnishes its normal supply of water, and if you suspect that the well is being affected by a nearby high-capacity ground water user, submit a written complaint to the director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by email at [email protected] or the address provided below. The DNR Division of Water will make an on-site investigation. If the investigation finds evidence that nearby high-capacity pumping has substantially lowered the water level in your small-capacity well, and your well is protected by statute IC 14-25-4, the high-capacity user can be declared liable and may be required to provide you with an alternate water supply.
Send complaint letters to:
Director
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington Street, Room W256
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
If you have questions about IC 14-25-4 or 312 IAC 12, contact the Division of Water, Water Rights & Use Section (317-232-4160 or toll free 877-928-3755).”
While that’s good information to have, before you write a letter to DNR, give us a call at 317-773-7128 or 765-642-2092, and we can diagnose whether your problem is due to a neighboring well or is simply an issue with your well, pump or tank.
Also, if you are looking to build or buy a home in a certain area that is not served by city water, we recommend that you do some research so that you can make an informed decision about water availability before you build or buy a home. Call us at 317-773-7128 or 765-642-2092, and we can identify, for free, any high-capacity wells that are in the area where you are looking to build or buy a home.
“State statute IC 14-25-4 is known informally as the ‘ground water rights law.’ It protects owners of most small-capacity water wells from significant ground water withdrawal facilities. The law defines a significant ground water withdrawal facility as "the ground water withdrawal facility of a person that, in the aggregate from all sources and by all methods, has the capability of withdrawing at least one hundred thousand (100,000) gallons of ground water in one (1) day." One hundred thousand gallons per day equals 70 gallons per minute. High-capacity ground water users may be industries, irrigators, public water supply operators, or quarries. To be protected from a nearby significant ground water withdrawal facility, a small-capacity well must satisfy one of the following criteria:
- The well must be a properly functioning domestic well drilled prior to January 1, 1986.
- If completed after December 31, 1985, the well must be constructed in accordance with rules set forth in 312 IAC 12 Water Well Drilling and Ground Water. These rules require certain minimum pump depths in domestic wells, and they specify how much of the source aquifer must be penetrated.
If your well no longer furnishes its normal supply of water, and if you suspect that the well is being affected by a nearby high-capacity ground water user, submit a written complaint to the director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources by email at [email protected] or the address provided below. The DNR Division of Water will make an on-site investigation. If the investigation finds evidence that nearby high-capacity pumping has substantially lowered the water level in your small-capacity well, and your well is protected by statute IC 14-25-4, the high-capacity user can be declared liable and may be required to provide you with an alternate water supply.
Send complaint letters to:
Director
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
402 W. Washington Street, Room W256
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
If you have questions about IC 14-25-4 or 312 IAC 12, contact the Division of Water, Water Rights & Use Section (317-232-4160 or toll free 877-928-3755).”
While that’s good information to have, before you write a letter to DNR, give us a call at 317-773-7128 or 765-642-2092, and we can diagnose whether your problem is due to a neighboring well or is simply an issue with your well, pump or tank.
Also, if you are looking to build or buy a home in a certain area that is not served by city water, we recommend that you do some research so that you can make an informed decision about water availability before you build or buy a home. Call us at 317-773-7128 or 765-642-2092, and we can identify, for free, any high-capacity wells that are in the area where you are looking to build or buy a home.
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