4725.3650 REQUIREMENTS FOR DESIGNATED SPECIAL WELL AND
BORING CONSTRUCTION AREAS.
Subpart 1. Plan review. When the commissioner designates an area where
contamination is detected as a special well and boring construction area, a well or
boring must not be constructed, repaired, or sealed until the commissioner has
reviewed and approved a proposed plan submitted by the installer. Sealing, repair,
construction, and location must be in accordance with the approved plans. In
addition to the information on the permit or notification, the plan must include the:
A. depth;
B. location;
C. casing type, diameter, and depth;
D. method of construction, including grout materials and grout method;
E. pumping rate; and
F. use.
Subp. 2. Water quality monitoring. The commissioner may require water quality
monitoring by the property owner, well or boring owner, or other person in a
designated special construction area if the commissioner finds monitoring is
needed to determine the degree of contamination.
Subp. 3. Additional requirements. The commissioner may specify well and
boring location and construction requirements more stringent than those specified
in this chapter if the commissioner determines, based on an assessment of
hydrogeologic conditions and contaminant characteristics, that additional
requirements are needed to protect the public health or prevent degradation of the
groundwater.
Subp. 4. Water treatment. The commissioner shall require the owner of a newly
constructed contaminated well in a special well and boring construction area to
install, use, and monitor an effective water treatment device if the commissioner
determines that such a device is reasonably necessary to assure a safe drinking
water supply or monitor the degree of contamination.
Special Well and Boring Construction Areas (SWBCA) were originally referred to as “Well Advisory
Areas.” The name changed to “Special Well Construction Areas” (SWCA) when Minnesota Rules,
Chapter 4725 was revised in 1993, and to “Special Well and Boring Construction Areas” (SWBCA) when
Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725 was revised in 2008.
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A SWBCA is a defined area in Minnesota where significant groundwater contamination is present in one
or more aquifers and has, or may, pose risks to public health and/or the environment. The purpose of
designating a SWBCA are to ensure that new potable water-supply wells provide a safe source of supply,
that unused wells and borings are properly sealed, and that construction and repair do not spread the
contamination or interfere with remedial measures.
SWBCAs are established by the MDH Well Management Section. The MDH publishes and issues a
notice for each SWBCA. The notice includes a description of the SWBCA boundaries; a map depicting
the boundaries; information about the contaminant(s); its source; aquifers affected; site investigation and
remediation; site hydrogeology; public health risks; and special construction, repair, sealing, monitoring,
and treatment requirements for wells and borings within the boundaries. The requirements within a
SWBCA supersede requirements or exemptions in the rules. The requirements are dependant on the
geology, contamination type and extent, and remediation at each site. Therefore, the requirements for one
SWBCA may be different from other SWBCAs. The requirements within a SWBCA may vary within the
SWBCA, and requirements may change through time as the contamination and site conditions change.
A SWBCA notice alerts the public, including property owners, contractors, and local officials to the
presence of groundwater contamination in a particular area and the need to place special requirements on
well and boring construction, repair and sealing activities within the area. Contractors, government
officials, and the public are notified of the implementation of a new SWBCA by a press release, public
meeting, direct mailing, notice in the Minnesota Well Management News newsletter, direct mailingsand
by a notice on the MDH Web site at: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/wells.
When contractors are hired to construct, repair, or seal wells or borings in a designated special well and
boring construction area, the contractor and the owner must submit a proposed written plan to the MDH
district hydrologist or well inspector, or the delegated authority; and the plan must be approved in writing
before any work may begin. In cases of new water-supply well construction where water samples are
required to be collected and tested, analytical results must be sent to the MDH or the delegated authority
and be reviewed before a water-supply well may be placed into service.
SPECIAL WELL AND BORING CONSTRUCTION AREAS
September, 2010
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Baytown Township/West Lakeland Township/Bayport/Lake Elmo – Washington County.
CMC Heartland Lite Yard Site – Minneapolis, Hennepin County.
East Bethel Sanitary Landfill – East Bethel, Anoka County.
Eckles Township – Beltrami County.
Inver Grove Heights (Pine Bend Area) – Dakota County.
Lake Elmo/Oakdale – Washington County.
Lakeland/Lakeland Shores/Afton/West Lakeland Township – Washington County.
Lehillier – Blue Earth County.
Long Prairie – Todd County.
Northern Township (Kummer Landfill) – Beltrami County.
Perham – Otter Tail County.
St. Paul Park & Newport – Washington County.
Spring Grove Township and Spring Grove – Houston County.
Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) – Ramsey, Hennepin, and Anoka Counties.
Additional details and maps of each SWBCA are included in the appendix.
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STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.111; 103I.205; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.401;
103I.451; 103I.501; 103I.525; 103I.531; 103I.535; 103I.541; 103I.621; 144.05;
144.12; 144.383; 157.04; 157.08; 157.09; 157.13
HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR 211
4725.3700 [Repealed, 17 SR 2773]
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End
of
Special Construction Areas Section
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