Decommissioning Abandoned Water Wells in Hamilton

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Decommissioning Abandoned Water Wells in Hamilton

The Hamilton Watershed Stewardship Program is delivering this program on behalf of the City of Hamilton in Hamilton Conservation Authority’s watershed to assist landowners with the cost of decommissioning their abandoned water wells. This project aims to protect ground water resources through the “plugging and sealing” of unused wells.

Abandoned wells provide a direct pathway to ground water, creating risk of ground water contamination. Abandoned wells also pose safety hazards for children and animals that could fall into the well.

Under REGULATION 903 landowners are required by law to decommission any unused wells on their property. Protect yourself, your family and neighbours!

Residents may be eligible to receive 100% financial assistance to decommission a well up to a maximum of $1,000 per well, with a limit of two wells per property.

NOTE: Funding is not available to landowners retro-actively. Please contact Cherish Gamble, Watershed Stewardship Technician, 905-525-2181 at Extension 181 or Cherish.Gamble@conservationhamilton.ca, to learn how to apply for funding before starting any work to decommission a well.

Resources

Decommissioning of Abandoned Water Wells Brochure
Abandoned Well Decommissioning Factsheet
To find a licensed well contractor please visit – https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-licenced-well-contractors

Decommissioning Abandoned Water Wells in Hamilton

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Current Water Levels

Water Level Explanations

Flood Status Explanations

	Normal No low water conditions exist.
	Level 1 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 10 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 80 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 100 / 70 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 2 Water users are asked to voluntarily reduce consumption by 20 percent. Precipitation totals are less than 60 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 70 / 50 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.
	Level 3 There is also potential for economic harm to water takers and/or significant harm to the ecosystem. The Hamilton Water Response Team may ask the province to impose mandatory restrictions on those holding Permits to Take Water. Precipitation totals are less than 40 percent of long-term averages and/or 30-day average streamflows are less than 50 / 30 percent (springtime / otherwise) of the minimum of the long-term average monthly flows for summer months.

	Normal No flood conditions exist.
	Watershed Conditions Statement - Water Safety High flows, unsafe banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
	Watershed Conditions Statement - Flood Outlook Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding or erosion.
	Flood Watch Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individual landowners in flood-prone areas should prepare.
	Flood Warning Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities and individuals should take action to deal with flood conditions. This may include road closures and evacuations.