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Committee adopts revised well-construction rules; bond amounts and geothermal thresholds clarified
Summary
The committee approved rewritten well-construction standards that add definitions (geotechnical borings), allow low-temperature geothermal wells to be built to cold-water standards under conditions, and set graded bond amounts for decommissioning based on flow and temperature.
Eric Bowe, Water Compliance Bureau chief for the Idaho Department of Water Resources, presented a 0-based rulemaking package to update the state's well-construction standards, citing clearer format, new definitions and changes intended to reflect drilling-practice feedback.
The committee approved the docket after industry testimony supporting the negotiated changes, which include a new definition for geotechnical borings, clarified casing and sealing requirements, provisions allowing low-temperature geothermal wells with bottom-hole temperatures under specified thresholds to be constructed to cold-water standards, and a graded bond schedule tied to flow and bottom-hole temperature.
Nut graf: The revisions aim to simplify and harmonize construction requirements across well types, reduce administrative waiver needs for non-well borings, and set bonding levels that reflect the complexity and cost of decommissioning different well types.
Bowe told members the pending rule reorganizes and clarifies several sections; substantive changes occurred in Rule 10 (definitions), Rule 25 (modifications), Rule 30 (construction) and Rule 45. The department added a definition for geotechnical borings to reduce the need for case-by-case waivers for work that does not create a water well. Bowe also described changes allowing low-temperature geothermal (LTG) wells with a bottom-hole temperature below 140 degrees Fahrenheit and that do not flow at the land surface to be constructed to cold-water well standards.
Committee members asked detailed questions about bonding requirements and the practical effects for drillers and owners. Mr. Bell (role: staff member) explained the new bond schedule: an owner of an artesian low-temperature geothermal resource well must maintain a bond of $5,000; a flowing low-temperature geothermal well that flows at land surface must maintain a $10,000 bond; and an LTG well that flows at land surface with a bottom-hole temperature of 140°F or more would require a $20,000 bond. Bell said the tiered amounts reflect increasing decommissioning complexity and are consistent with Idaho statute allowing bonds up to $20,000.
Roger Batt of the Idaho Groundwater Association, representing the well construction industry, told the committee the association “is in full support of these rules” and that the group helped negotiate the changes. Representative Raybould moved approval of the docket; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Ending: With the docket approved, IDWR said the revised construction standards will be incorporated into permit and inspection procedures going forward.
