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Home My WebLink About820728.tiff e�ce- c1 /1 '-/Y z f fl steam . WELD COUNTY "BURNING WATER" INVESTIGATIO .y li i1 + i` r I ) 1q82 Introduction OMMMMLUCIM Weld County residents living near Milton Reservoir have claim- ed in recent months that their private water wells had been contam- inated with combustible gasses and/or harmful materials . Their concerns ranged from possible health and safety hazards to claims that their livestock operations had suffered significant losses . Public interest grew to precipitate a public meeting at LaSalle Elementary School on the evening of April 7 , which was attended by many local residents . A report from James Stewart Associates and Consulting Engineers confirmed the presence of combustible gasses in samples taken from the area . Comments from residents indicated . the "burning water" phenomenon was not isolated. II Interagency Task Force In response to a growing number of complaints and inquiries concerning Weld County "burning water" , the Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Department of Health formed an Interagency Task Force of geologists , hydrologists , oil and gas specialists , chemists , and other technical experts to investigate the problem. Collection and evaluation of data shall include : 1. Take water and gas samples of affected water wells and of non-affected water wells in the problem area; 2 . Take gas samples from some of the producing gas and oil wells in the area , and attempt to extract gasses from associated coal beds ; 3 . Analyze the various samples in order to determine con- stituent flammable gases (methane , ethane, butane, etc . ) and whether they contain deleterious minerals , or bacteria, and if so, in what proportion; 4 . Collect or review the relevant geologic and hydrologic data for the area in order to understand the transmission of gasses or pollutants through or into the Laramie-Fox Hills aquifer and to determine , if possible, the source of such contaminants ; 5 . Review the well completion logs for the water wells and adjacent oil and gas wells in question in order to deter- mine if the wells were drilled , cased , sealed, and cemant- ed properly; 6 . Examine all possible adjacent sources of contamination for the affected wells , including oil and gas wells , seismic drill holes , land fills , septic systems , and irriagation ditches and reservoirs . ()r _., / 820728 Page 2 WELD COL .:Y "BURNING WATER" INVESTI. .PION It is anticipated that this study will be completed by mid-May . III Progress to Date On April 12 , representatives of the Task Force , accompanied by Weld County Health Department personnel, collected water/gas samples from six private water wells and one public water well, and three samples from local gas wells for analysis . The purpose of this test was to compare the relative abundance of the constit- uent gasses in the water well derived samples versus that of the gas well samples . The comparison, i . e. , methane/ethane ratio , would tend to either implicate or eliminate natural gas wells as a source . At the April 16 meeting of the Interagency Task Force in Denver , preliminary test results of the water/gas samples were re- ported . Hydrocarbons recovered from the samples were nearly 100% methane , indicating that natural gas wells are not the source of the water well contamination. Bacterial tests of the samples proved negative. Methane was reported to have no known toxic ef- fects . It was decided that an estimate of the geographic area in- volved was to be made by means of testing with a methanometer . A complete chemical analysis of Von Feldt ' s water sample was to be done, as well as an examination of the completion logs of natural gas wells in the area. Also , the number of public water wells drawing from the Laramie Foxhills aquifer was to be determined . Immediately after the meeting, Weld County Health Department personnel contacted owners of the six private wells sampled, and arranged to present and explain the test results on an individual basis , in order to preclude misunderstandings or undue worry. On April 23 , the Task Force again met in Denver . The chemical analysis of Von Feldt ' s water showed a significant deterioration in quality since it was last analyized in 1972 . Methanometer testing showed little or no methane in samples taken in the northern half of section 12 : these samples showed H2S , salts and suspended solids . It was reported that 22 public water systems use the Laramie Fox- hill aquifer . An examination of the Oil and Gas Commission records of completion logs of the 94 wells within a five mile radius of Rose Greer ' s water well indicate that all comply with applicable regulations . A report on the explosive qualities of methane in- dicated that , at normal temperatures , the solubility of methane in water ranged from 24 to 33 ml/1, well below the 4k to 15% concen- tration required for an explosion. Discussed at the meeting was the possibility of having a proposed new water well near Rose Greer ' s property cored and E-logged by the Colorado Geologic Survey and the U. S . GS , respectively , and having a mud log performed by a private concern. Page 3 WELD CO ,TY "BURNING WATER" INVEST1 ..aTION Immediate plans call for more methanometer and water sampling over a wider area. Weld County Health Department has obtained the supplies nec- essary to conduct their own gas analysis utilizing the Balcom Chemicals Inc . chromatograph . Unfortunately , Balcom' s chromato— graph is out of order . The April 30 meeting of the Interagency Task Force revealed the following information: Methanometer testing over a wide area showed insignificant occurences of methane in community wells east of Watkins and south of Parker. Testing by this method will be conducted ten to fifteen miles north, east, south, and west of Milton Reservoir. Analysis of water samples taken during the preceeding week are incomplete, as is the survey of Milton Reservoir area water well completion logs. However, future water/gas sampling shall be selected on the basis of these completion logs. James Stewert Associates and Consulting Engineers , which has done gas analysis in the area, is to be contacted regarding the results of their testing. Data collected to date is to be plotted on maps. On May 17, the Oil and Gas Commission shall hold hearings dealing with charges of water well contamination against companies with oil and gas wells in the area. The role of the Task Forceiizn these hearings has yet to be determined. The next Task Force meeting is scheduled for May 7. THE DIR': OR WELD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Friday, Apri 1 9th Dr. Frank Traylor, Exec Dir. Colorado Department of Health I am enclosing a copy of letter for your information. This letter went out to the Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Geological Survey along with Oil & Gas Conservation Comm. Thou. Ralph R. Wooley, M. D. 0 DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PHONE(303)353-0540 1516 HOSPITAL ROAD ' GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 ik COLORADO , 31982 April 5, 1982 'QQAda, John Rold, State Geologist Colorado Geological Survey 1313 Sherman Street, Rm. 715 Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Rold: We are making every effort to establish the extent, severity and solution to the "gas in the water" problem near Hudson in Weld County. We need information on all facets of this situation concerning natural gas in the domestic water supplies in this area. We will need water, oil and gas information on the area wells that exist East of Milton Reservoir, Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, T3N, R65W; also Sections 4-9, 16-21,28-33, T3N, R64W. If available, we would like copies of well logs, in order that we may correlate information on the kinds of soil, rock strata, other geological data, aquifers as well as oil and gas depths. We will need information as to how adequately wells were installed and finished and their construction parameters. Testing, such as water analysis for natural gas, methane, propane,. ethane, etc., is needed. I am very much aware that I am making a monumental request, and that you may not deal with certain aspects of the problem. However, I will also be in contact with the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission as well as other agencies that I feel might help us find a solution to this problem. Our desire, at present, is to get all the information possible, assimilate it, and then derive a meaningful solution. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Si pcerel , n2 Ra ph R. Wooley, M. 4., MPH Medical Director cc: Ron Stow, Environmental Health Services Al Palmquist, Laboratory Services :/l DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH V PHONE(303)353 D TT 4t1 1Plit\ 1516 HOSPITPIT ALLROA ROAD GREELEY,COLORADO 80631 wilC. COLORADO March 31 , 1982 Robert Longenbaugh, Director Division of Water Resources Colorado Department of Natural Resources 1313 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Longenbaugh: We are making every effort to establish the extent, severity and solution to the "gas in the water" problem near Hudson in Weld County. We need information on all facets of this situation concerning natural gas in the domestic water supplies in this area. We will need water, oil and gas information on the area wells that exist East of Milton Reservoir, Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, T3N, R65W; also Sections 4-9, 16-21 , 28-33, T3N, R64W. If available, we would like copies of well logs, in order that we may correlate information on the kinds of soil , rock strata, other geological data, aquifers as well as oil and gas depths. We will need information as to how adequately wells were installed and finished and their construction parameters. Testing, such as water analysis for natural gas, methane, propane, ethane, etc. , is needed. I am very much aware that I am making a monumental request, and that you may not deal with certain aspects of the problem. However, I will also be in contact with the Oil and Gas Commission and other agencies that I feel might help us find a solution to this problem. Our desire, at present, is to get all the information possible, assimilate it and then derive a meaningful solution. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Sinc ly, 17 Ralph Wooley, M. D. , MP Medical Director RRW/hv cc: Ron Stow, Env. Health Services Al Palmquist, Laboratory Monte Pascoe, Executive Director-Dept. of Natural Resources 6 to ‘ .. rDEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PHONE(303( 353-0540 1516 HOSPITAL ROAD lige GREELEY, COLORADO 80631 WI COLORADO April 5, 1982 Doug Rogers, Director Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission 1313 Sherman Street Denver, CO 80203 Dear Mr. Rogers: We are making every effort to establish the extent, severity and solution to the "gas in the water" problem near Hudson in Weld County. We need information on all facets of this situation concerning natural gas in the domestic water supplies in this area. We will need water, oil and gas information on the area wells that exist East of Milton Reservoir, Sections 1-3, 10-15, 22-27, T3N, R65W; also Sections 4-9, 16-21, 28-33, T3N, R64W. If available, we would like copies of well logs, in order that we may correlate information on the kinds of soil, rock strata, other geological data, aquifers as well as oil and gas depths. We will need information as to how adequately wells were installed and finished and their construction parameters. Testing, such as water analysis for natural gas, methane, propane, ethane, etc. , is needed. I am very much aware that I am making a monumental request, and that you may not deal with certain aspects of the problem. However, I will also be in contact with the Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Geological Survey and other agencies that I feel might help us find a solution to this problem. Our desire, at present, is to get all the information possible, assimilate it and then derive a meaningful solution. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. /Ca, tu (daleri Ralph R. Wooley, M.D. , MPH Medical Director RRW/hv cc: Ron Stow, Environmental Health Services Al Palmquist, Laboratory Services GAS IN THE WATER CONCERNS The Colorado Department of Natural Resources and the Colorado Department of Health have combined their resources to form a group of geologists, hydrologists, oil and gas specialists, chemists and other technical experts to address the problem of "burning water" in Weld County. This group will : 1. TAKE WATER AND GAS SAMPLES OF AFFECTED WATER WELLS AND OF NON-AFFECTED WATER WELLS IN THE PROBLEM AREA. 2. TAKE GAS SAMPLES FROM SOME OF THE PRODUCING GAS AND OIL WELLS IN THE AREA AND ATTEMPT TO EXTRACT GASES FROM ASSOCIATED COAL BEDS. 3. ANALYZE THE VARIOUS SAMPLES IN ORDER TO DETERMINE CONSTITUENT FLAMMABLE GASES (METHANE, ETHANE, BUTANE, ETC.) AND WHETHER THEY CONTAIN DELETERIOUS MINERALS, OR BACTERIA AND IF SO, WHAT PROPORTION. 4. COLLECT OR REVIEW RELEVANT GEOLOGIC AND HYDROLOGIC DATA FOR THE AREA IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND TRANSMISSION OF GASES OR POLLUTANTS THROUGH OR INTO THE LARAMIE-FOX HILLS AQUIFER AND DETERMINE, IF POSSIBLE, THE SOURCE OF CONTAMINANTS. 5. REVIEW THE COMPLETION LOGS FOR THE WATER WELLS AND ADJACENT OIL AND GAS WELLS IN QUESTION TO DETERMINE IF THEY WERE DRILLED, CASED, SEALED AND CEMENTED PROPERLY. 6. EXAMINE ALL POSSIBLE ADJACENT SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION FOR THE AFFECTED WELLS INCLUDING OIL AND GAS WELLS, SEISMIC DRILL HOLES, LANDFILLS, SEPTIC SYSTEMS, AND IRRIGATION DITCHES AND RESERVOIRS. The alleged contamination of private water wells in Weld County raises a number of serious legal and policy questions about the state' s role in protecting water quality. At this time, there are a few laws controlling groundwater pollution. 1. THE OIL AND GAS CONSERVATION COMMISSION HAS SOME AUTHORITY TO CONTROL POLLUTION OF WATER SUPPLIES IF ITS CAUSED BY OIL AND GAS WELLS OR BY DRILLING FOR OIL AND GAS. 2. THE STATE BOARD OF WATER WELL AND PUMP INSTALLATION CONTRACTORS IS AUTHORIZED TO LICENSE WELL DRILLERS TO INSURE THAT WELLS ARE CONSTRUCTED IN A MANNER TO MAINTAIN NATURAL PROTECTION AGAINST POLLUTION OF WATER-BEARING FORMATIONS AND TO EXCLUDE KNOWN SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION. 3. THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ADVISORY OPINIONS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THE SITING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITIES. 4. THE STATE ENGINEER NOW ISSUES NEW WELL PERMITS WHICH UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES CONTAIN A NOTATION THAT THE WATER QUALITY OF A WELL SHOULD BE CHECKED BEFORE THE WATER IS CONSUMED. • (over) There is no question that both state and local governments have general responsibilities to assure that public water supplies remain free of con- tamination, whether the water is derived from surface supplies or from wells. However, as pointed out above, state authority to deal with contamination of private water wells is limited, disjointed and clearly not comprehensive. This is beginning to be recognized as a big problem in Colorado. The Department of Health and Department of Natural Resources are trying to find a better way to control groundwater pollution without creating a bureaucracy that is more complex than the problem itself. We hope to have some suggestions for consideration by the Legislature during 1983. Legal and technical questions presented by the "burning water" situation are fairly complex. The collection and technical evaluation of the data will take several weeks at a minimum. We hope to complete a full and careful study of the technical issued by mid-May. In viewing the problem of "burning water" it is important to point out that existence of methane in water wells in Colorado is not unusual nor is it known to be injurious to public health. If liquid hydro-carbons, bacteria, heavy metals, or other contaminants are present in these wells„ they may present health problems. However, many water wells in Colorado and other states produce methane. In most cases the methane can be simply released to the atmosphere with the addition of a release valve in the water system or it can be flared, or it can be separated and used for various domestic heating purposes. Hello