Is a Virtual Well Completion Report in California’s Future?

Bob PierottiChief, Resources Assessment Branch

Southern District

Well Completion Reports

Background

• WCRs provide essential information about:– Geologic conditions (i.e., bore hole log)– Hydrologic conditions (e.g., yield, depth to

water)– Well construction (e.g., casing, screen, seal)

• Filing WCRs has been required in California (§13751) since c1950.

• WCRs are confidential documents. (§13752)

Well Completion Reports• ~140,000 WCR in our data base• We receive ~300 new WCR each month• In the process of scanning all WCR• Well driller outreach• Local agency coordination• Many requests for WCR

– Public agencies– Consultants– Well owners

Return to Copy todriller temp file

Incoming Is loglog complete?

Is well in: Is it a publicCoachella WD supply well?

Mojave WAOrange Co WD Enter into Scan File in

Ventura Co data base log binderAssign SWN

Send to agency Plot on digitalfor SWN map

no

yes

nono

yes

yes

Well Completion Report Processing Procedure

Water Code Section 13751

• (a) Every person who […] drills a water well […] or destroys such a well […], shall file with the department a report of completion of that well within 60 days from the date its construction […] or destruction is completed.

Water Code Section 13751

• (b) The report shall be made on forms furnished by the department […]

• (1) […] the report shall contain information as required by the department, including, but not limited to all of the following information:

• (A) A description of the well site sufficiently exact to permit location and identification of the well.

• (B) A detailed log of the well.

Water Code Section 13751

• (C) A description of type of construction. • (D) The details of perforation. • (E) The methods used for sealing off

surface or contaminated waters. • (F) The methods used for preventing

contaminated waters of one aquifer from mixing with the waters of another aquifer.

• (G) The signature of the well driller.

Problems & Challenges

• Should we add, delete, or modify any field?

• Formatting data entered into DB– Text vs. Numeric– If numeric, should there be decimals

• QA/QC• Can driller view or modify after WDR is

submitted?• Location sketch & attachments

Problems & Challenges

• Security: – Who has access?– How much access?

• Training drillers to use• Legal questions:

– Is online WCR a legal document?– Driller signature: how do they sign?– Will Water Code need modification?

Goals

• Adobe Acrobat WCR by early 2006.• Virtual (online) WCR by 2007.

Do you have comments or suggestions?

Send your comments to me at:pierotti@water.ca.gov