PB84-159292
Protocol for Establishment of a
Ground Water Management and
Protection Plan
Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
Oklahoma City
Prepared for
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Lab.
Ada, OK
Feb 84
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Technical Information Service
NIKS
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EPA-600/2-84-053
Februar-y .,1984
PROTOCOL FOR
ESTABLISHMENT OF A GROUND WATER
MANACKMKNT AND I'KOTKCTION PUN
by
The Association of Central Oklahoma
Council of Governments
CR-807131
Project Officer
Jerry T. Thornhill
Ground Water Research Branch
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
ADA, OKLAHOMA 74820
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TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read /uaructions on the reverse before completing)
I. HI PORT NO.
EPA-GOO/2-84-053
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSION>NO.
4. 1 ITLE AND SUBTITLE
ProCcicol for Establishment of ;i Ground Water
Man a no mi1 n L ami I1 i.oLc-cl inn IMan
5. REPORT DATE
February^ 1984
(i. I'l.lll OIIMINO UIKiANl^A I ION CUIJL.
V. AIMHQH(S)
Tlit. A.ssociaL.Lon of Central Oklahoma Governments
». I'LflKORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
4801 Classen Boulevard, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
ABPC1A/CBPC1A
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
CR-807131
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory
P. 0. Box 1198
Ada, Oklahoma 74820
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Final
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/15
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
Hi. ABSTRACT
Local officials can provide the impetus for the establishment of a management
program for water-supply aquifers. This report provides information on the
development of a management plan for a specific aquifer in Oklahoma. The
report outlines specific major steps that were taken to accomplish the task.
The approach should be transferrable to other areas of the country.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
Aquifers
water resources
ground-water recharge
ground-water quality
ground-water geology
ground-water management
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
Monitoring wells
c. COSATI Field/Group
68D.
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
Release to public
19. SECURITY CLASS (ThisReport)
Unclassified
A rjpc;
20. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
Unclassified
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
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DISCLAIMER
Although the research described in this report has been funded wholly
or In part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency through
Cooperative Agreement CR-807131 to the Association of Central Oklahoma
Governments, it has not been subjected to the agency's peer and policy
review and therefore does not necessarily reflect the views of the agency
and no official endorsement should be inferred, nor does mention of trade
names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for
use.
ii
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NOTICE
THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED
FROM THE BEST COPY FURNISHED US BY
THE SPONSORING AGENCY. ALTHOUGH IT
IS RECOGNIZED- THAT CERTAIN PORTIONS
A-RE ILLEGIBLE, IT IS BEING RELEASED .
IN THE INTEREST OF MAKING AVAILABLE
AS MUCH" INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE.
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FOREWORD
The Environmental Protection Agency was established to coordinate admin-
istration of the major Federal programs designed to protect the quality of our
environment.
An Important part of the Agency's effort involves the search for informa-
tion about environmental problems, management techniques, and new technologies
through which optimum use of the Nation's land and water resources can be
assured and the threat pollution poses to the welfare of the American people
can be minimized,
EPA'.s Office of Research and Development conducts this search through a
nationwide network of research facilities.
As one of these facilities, the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory is the Agency's center of expertise for investigation of the soil
and subsurface environment. Personnel at the laboratory are responsible for
management of research programs to: (a) determine the fate, transport and
transformation rates of pollutants in the soil, the unsaturated zone and the
saturated zones of the subsurface environment; (b) define the processes to be
used in characterizing the soil and subsurface environment as a receptor of
pollutants; (c) develop techniques for predicting the effect of pollutants on
ground water, soil and indigenous organisms; and (d) define and demonstrate
the applicability and limitations of using natural processes, indigenous to
the soil and subsurface environment, for the protection of this resource.
This report contributes to that knowledge which is essential in order
for EPA to establish and enforce pollution control standards which are
reasonable, cost effective, and provide adequate environmental protection
for the American public.
Clinton W. Hall
Director
Robert S. Kerr Environmental
Research Laboratory
iii
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ABSTRACT
Local officials can provide the impetus for the establishment of a manage-
ment program for water-supply aquifers. This report provides information on
the development of a management plan for a specific aquifer in Oklahoma. The
report outlines specific major steps that were taken to accomplish the task.
The approach should be transferable to other areas of the country.
iv
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreward . ill
Abstract iv
Figures ............ ..... vi
Introduction 1
Step 1: Assemble the Participants . . . 1
Step 2: Establish Means for Plan Development 2
Step 3: Define Physical Characteristics 2
Compile Historical Data 3
Establish Method for Obtaining
Present/Future Data . 3
Locate Water Quality Problems 4
Identify Pollution Potential 5
Utilize Applicable Available Technologies 5
Acoustical Well Probe . 6
Inflatable Packer Pumping System 6
Slow^Start Pump Motor 6
Dual Wall Reverse Circulation
Drilling Technique 6
Multiple Construction of Monitoring Wells . . 6
Remote Water Well Sensors .... 6
Step 4: Determine Present and Future Demands on
the Aquifer 7
Step 5: Select an Appropriate Computer Model for
Data Manipulation 7
Step 6: Define Legal Parameters and Inter-
governmental Responsibilities 8
Step 7: Prepare Management Plan 9
Appendices
I. Resolution Creating the Garber-Wellington Association
II. Forms Used in Computerized Data Base
III. Municipal Well Records Keeping System
IV. Suggested Oil and Gas Ordinance
V. The Economic Impact of the Proposed Regulation of
Uranium in Drinking Water on Municipal Water and
Wastewater Treatment in Central Oklahoma
VI. Preliminary Estimate of Effective Ground Water
Recharge Rates in Central Oklahoma
VII. Legal Factors
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FIGURES
Number. Page
1 Protocol Flow Chart .... 11
vi
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INTRODUCTION
In recent years, many areas of the country have begun to experience
major problems with their ground-water resources. The most notable problems
are: pollution, overdraft or mining, subsidence, and salt-water intrusion.
Not enough research has been done, however, to adequately mitigate
these problems and to develop a systematic method for managing ground-water
resources. In an effort to protect a local ground-water supply and to pro-
vide an approach for effective management of ground-water resources nation-
wide, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments has established protocol
for development of a management plan (including a development and protection
strategy).
The members of the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (a Council
of Governments serving the Oklahoma City metropolitan area), through a sub-
entity referred to as the Garber-Wellington Association developed the protocol
as a product of their research on the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, a major
ground-water supply in central Oklahoma on which they depend.
The aquifer serves as the primary municipal water supply for 24 cities and
towns in addition to hundreds of industrial and private users. Approximately
400,000 people depend on the aquifer for municipal, industrial, domestic and
agricultural water supplies.
This document is designed to acquaint the reader with the steps taken by
this group of mayors, councilmembers and county commissioners to establish a
management program for the aquifer. It is intended to provide enough informa-
tion to aid local elected officials and professional staff in other parts of
the country in the development of management and protection methodologies for
aquifers within their jurisdictions. The report format will outline major
steps to be taken with more specifics included in the Appendices. The steps
are not necessarily chronological, rather some may be addressed simultane-
ously.
STEP 1: ASSEMBLE THE PARTICIPANTS
The local government officials in central Oklahoma determined that suc-
cessful implementation of an effective ground-water management program depends
upon a high degree of plan involvement by those who benefit from the resource.
It is the beneficiaries, the local owners of the resource, whose futures
depend upon continued availability of good quality ground water regardless of
whether the use is agricultural, domestic, municipal or industrial. Every
entity that utilizes or has the potential to utilize a particular aquifer needs
to be identified and Involved in development and implementation of the manage-
ment plan.
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The structure established in the Garber-Wellington Project included
activation of a policy committee composed of local elected officials of com-
munities/counties that use the aquifer and a technical committee of engineers,
water works directors, city managers and other related staff people of the
municipalities and counties involved. A copy of the resolution creating these
commit'tees and outlining their functions and responsibilities is included in
Appendix I. These committees guided the activities of the research staff,
and as individual municipal staff members, were responsible for implementation
of several of the management components as they surfaced, such as implementa-
tion of a water well records keeping system.
Citizens and state and local agencies with an interest in development of
the Carber-Wellington Aquifer were also included throughout the planning pro-
cons through representation on the technical committee, media coverage, dis-
tribution of a monthly newsletter about the project and presentations to
numerous civic organizations.
Identifying participants is an ongoing process. All local people and
organizations with a vested interest in the water supply should be kept in-
formed and involved to the maximum degree possible throughout the development
of a plan.
STEP. 2: ESTABLISH MEANS .FOR PLAN DEVELOPMENT
As alluded to previously, the responsibility for developing a management
plan for the Garber-Wellington Aquifer was assumed by a group of local elected
officials who formed a project policy committee. In this case, a professional
staff was retained to actually perform the work to be reviewed and interpreted
by the policy group. The staff for this project included a hydrologist, data
management specialist and a secretary in addition to part-time administrative
and public participation support staff. Whether this professional staff is
contracted or hired directly, a method for generation of revenues to support
research and ongoing management must be identified. Examples of such revenue
sources are local member dues assessments, water use fees, loans, grants or a
combination of the above. The ultimate decision on where to procure funds
rests with the beneficiaries.
STEP 3: DEFINE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The first objective for the project was to define the physical character-
istics of the aquifer. An adequate historical and current data base is cri-
tical to Identification of all internal factors which can affect an aquifer.
The general goal was to develop a computerized data base to be used in
evaluation of the ground-water system.
The information examined Included:
Hydrologic parameters of the aquifer.
Delineation of recharge areas.
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Historical, current and project water levels.
Chemical qn.il I Hy parameters.
(' ) Compile Historical Data
Detailed information was assembled from the U.S. Geological Survey; Okla-
homa Geological Survey; Oklahoma Water Resources Board; the Oklahoma Corpora-
tion Commission; municipal files; Oklahoma State Department of Health; and the
technical consultant to the project, Engineering Enterprises, Inc. All exist-
ing information on the aquifer was collected and translated into compatible
forms to be included in the ACOG/GWA Data Management System.
The Data Management System information was indexed in 10 separate cate-
gories to expedite manipulation and retrieval (see Appendix II). This cate-
gorical information was stored on a 64K microcomputer. Several microcomputers
were researched by ACOG/GWA in an effort to test low cost, low maintenance
equipment for its application to ground water management activities. The
result was the purchase of a 64K-Intertech Data System Superbrain microcompu-
ter, which utilizes dual disk drives and single sided double density 5 1/4 inch
floppy diskettes, coupled with a NEC Spinwrlter Printer terminal. Several
software packages are available including some with graphics capabilities.
All well information entries were listed by township, range, section and
location in order to specify particular areas to examine with a minimum of
data manipulation. Each township and range was contained on a separate disk-
ette to minimize turnaround time when only small areas or a single well were
examined. This effectively eliminated disk overloading and facilitated adding
new information or deletion of duplicate records without searching through the
entire data base for a single record. This Data Management System is the
single most complete source of information on the aquifer and was the first
essential step toward effective management of this resource.
(2) Establish Method for Obtaining Present/Future Data
After the historic data was computerized, researchers plotted the aquifer
areally so that they could identify areas where data was lacking. A plan for
procuring the necessary information was developed and implemented which in-
cluded selection of locations for test holes, monitoring wells and electric
logging. The most critical component of the plan for obtaining more informa-
tion, however, was the implementation of a water well records keeping system.
A detailed description of the system is provided in Appendix III.
The records keeping system, and related documentation provided the cities
and towns involved in the study with a uniform means to collect data on their
municipal water wells and feed necessary information into the data system. A
key advantage was a tremendous cost savings realized by the municipalities
through close monitoring of their well fields, charting of well efficiencies
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and elimination of major breakdowns through early problem detection. Through
this regular monitoring system, significant electrical cost savings have been
realized and "downtime" of wells can be better controlled.
The study consultants and ACOG/GWA staff held training sessions to intro-
duce municipal personnel to the records keeping system. Individuals with pri-
vate wells who expressed concerns about the performance of their individual
wells have also been acquainted with the system. ACOG/GWA is collecting data
on water Levels, water quality, water use and well efficiency on a monthly or
bi-monthly basis on over 200 municipal and industrial wells in the region.
Many of these wells have been modified to enable personnel to more efficiently
collect necessary data, thus encouraging regular and timely data recording.
Most municipalities have allocated funds for modification of existing
wells to provide accurate data. New construction is being completed in adher-
ence to the specifications Included in the records keeping system packet. The
study participants determined that with an accurate accounting by the .major
municipal and industrial ground-water users, the limited production data from
domestic well users would not significantly affect the definition of the
aquifer's physical characteristics or future management decisions.
Other raeanfl for obtaining current information about the Garber-Welllngton
Aquifer included the development and adoption of a municipal ordinance (Appen-
dix IV) designed to protect the aquifer from contamination associated with oil
mid gas activities (a highly ranked potential pollution problem). The ordi-
nnnc.o requires oil companies to provide information on the location of the
saltwater/freshwater Interface. Data on proposed and completed oil and/or gas
wells are maintained In the Data Management System.
Five monitoring wells were drilled in key locations where historic data
was lacking to ascertain water levels, water quality and the freshwater/salt-
water Interface. The wells are monitored on a regular basis (bi-monthly) to
obtain necessary information fr6m those locations.
(3) Locate Water Quality Problems
A critical element in the evaluation of the physical characteristics of
an aquifer is the definition of natural or background water quality. The
availability of water is of little Importance unless the water is of a quality
suitable to meet the user's requirements.
Historic water quality data on the Garber-Wellington Aquifer was col-
lected throughout the initial data search.
After all existing water quality data was entered into the Data Management
System, a major sampling effort was conducted to determine current conditions.
The initial parameters evaluated were pH, specific conductance, total hard-
ness sulfates and chlorides. These constituents were selected so that back-
ground water quality could be established. Changes in water quality would
generally be noted by a change in one or more of these parameters.
Analysis for chromium, selenium, arsenic, barium, gross alpha and uranium
were then examined for areas exhibiting other than average specific conduc-
tance and pH.
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One-hundred fifty samples were collected from municipal wells throughout
the aquifer, and the results were entered into the computer Data Management
System. Although the water quality of the aquifer had been thought to be very
good, the sampling efforts revealed in certain wells the existence of chromium,
selenium and arsenic in excess of Environmental Protection Agency- standards
and uranium at levels above "proposed" standards. Fifty percent of the wells
tested were producing water In excess of the proposed standard for uranium
(see Appendix V).
Various methods for mitigating these problems have been and continue to
be explored including (1) mixing poor quality water with better quality water
in the distribution system, (2) reconstruction of wells to cut off .infiltration
from problem zones, (3) abandonment of a few wells, (4) reassessment of stan-
dards based on more current data, and (5) research on potential treatment pro-
cesses.
Each ground-water resource will have its own natural water quality char-
acteristics. The point is that determination of those characteristics is
critical to the development of a management plan and possible problem areas
should be Identified early in the study process.
(4) Identify Pollution Potential
Once naturally occurring sources of water quality degradation are located,
one must identify past, present and future human activities that could nega-
tively affect the water quality of the aquifer.
Major potential threats to ground-water quality identified by the National
Center for Ground Water Research (NCGWR), included past present and future oil
field activities such as the proliferation of pits, ponds, lagoons and other
surface and subsurface disposal practices.
Other possible pollution sources were examined including runoff resulting
from increased urban expansion, development near or over recharge areas and
wastewater discharge. A complete inventory of all surface and subsurface acti-
vities was performed and a ranking system developed to determine where the
greatest threats existed to the aquifer.
This pollution potential priority system, when combined with area land use
and other development plans, will help to ensure that future threats to water
resources are minimized. For example, future development in critical recharge
areas can be minimized through proper zoning requirements which can incorpor-
ate open space development, preservations of natural habitat and/or use of
storm water detention facilities, thus, preserving recharge capacities to the
aquifer.
New methods for avoiding potential pollution or dealing with existing pol-
lution need to be sought and tested throughout development of a management
plan, then incorporated into the plan and its implementation.
(5) Utilize Applicable Available Technologies to^ Make Your Job Easier and
Save Money
There have been several technological advances in the past few years that
5
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can help ground-water managers perform the tasks described above. Although
the following list is not all inclusive, the items discussed were identified
In tlio Carber-Wellington Research Study and can provide the reader with some
Idea of technologies available.
Acoustical Well Probe
An acoustical well probe is an innovative, relatively inexpensive device
(less than $1,000) Cor testing depths to water. The probe uses sound waves
to measure the distance between land surface and the standing water level in
the well. Although the readings are not accurate enough to use in aquifer
tests, the instrument offers excellent capability for rapid water-level mea-
surements on reconnaissance operations.
Inflatable Packer Pumping System
The inflatable packer pumping system can be utilized to sample specific
/ones within the formation. This would be particularly helpful when trying to
Identify areas of possible water quality problems prior to completion of a
new well. A single well installed and rigged with the system costs approxi-
mately $150,000, but the packer system could be used on other wells once it is
built to specifications.
Slow-Start Pump Motor
There is a relatively new energy saving, slow-starting motor device on the
market that can help water well owners, including municipalities, save on
energy costs associated with water well pump motors. The unit is designed to
slow-start electric motors so that high cost energy peaks are eliminated, thus
saving electrical pumping costs. Escalating electrical costs are becoming a
major consideration to ground-water users.
Dual Wall Reverse Circulation Drilling Technique
While this procedure has been around for some time, its applications to
ground-water investigation has only recently been realized. The methods
employed allow for individual zones of a particular aquifer to be sampled
while the initial test hole is under construction. Since no drilling mud or
additives are utilized, only formation water is produced. Some primary fil-
tration of water samples is required after collection to remove suspended
sediment, however, excellent representative samples can be obtained with this
method.
Multiple Construction of Monitoring Wells
By drilling test holes in a manner such that multiple piezometers can be
installed, substantial Information can be obtained utilizing a single bore
hole. In deep aquifers, for instance, information can be acquired on initial
Writer levels, water quality in several zones and saltwater upconing with a
single test hole utilizing multiple construction techniques.
Remote Water Well Sensors
Current advances in micro-chip technology have led to development of nu-
merous devices designed to give continuous readouts and recording of static and
pumping water levels in wells. These devices can be utilized to gather signi-
ficant amounts of data over short or long periods. Instruments are available
now that can be utilized for continuous monitoring of water levels during aqui-
fer pumping tests thereby reducing the potential for interpretation error.
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STEP A: DETERMINE PRESENT AND FUTURE DEMANDS ON THE AQUIFER
A critical component of a management plan is how to ensure that present
use of the resource does not endanger the aquifer's potential as a viable
water supply in the future. To accomplish this, it is necessary to determine
how much water is being withdrawn, how much is being replenished (recharged)
(see Appendix VI) and the effects current and projected pumping activities
may have on the hydrologic balance of the water basin.
Records on past use, present use data (from the municipal records keep-
ing system), projected population figures and per capita water use estimates
will help researchers make some realistic estimates on present and projected
demands on the aquifer. Coupled with scientific estimates of basin wide,
and specific area safe yield rates (how much water can be withdrawn safely
from each area of the aquifer without upsetting its hydrologic balance), this
information can help determine whether or not the aquifer can meet demands.
Pumping may need to be limited In some areas of the aquifer to avoid a
hydrologic Imbalance of the system as a whole (such as upconing of saltwater
or lowering of the water table). Such a finding would naturally need to be
addressed in a management plan. If more water is being withdrawn than is
being replenished, then the aquifer is being mined and the beneficiaries are
faced with another potentially serious situation to be addressed.
The management plan should also take into account the availability of
surface water supplies and how these resources may be Intermingled with the
ground-water resources to provide the most efficient utilization of both.
Through continual accumulation of water well information, current and
projected water demands should be compared regularly to the physical capabil-
ities and vulnerabilities of the aquifer.
STEP 5: SELECT AN APPROPRIATE COMPUTER MODEL FOR DATA MANIPULATION
Computer models are useful tools for simulating characteristics of an
aquifer and how certain activities can impact the aquifer (such as the addi-
tion of a number of high volume water wells in a particular location). By
calibrating the model (making it duplicate the aquifer's characteristics
and how the aquifer has reacted to certain situations in the past), you can
Impose new situations on the model and get an idea of how the aquifer would
react.
A suitable ground-water model or series of models should be able to
translate the mathematical results back to the physical conditions existing
In the ground-water system with an acceptable degree of accuracy.
An example of the types of questions a model might answer to help in
development of a management plan would be: If a city currently has 15 muni-
cipal wells pumping 200 gallons of water per minute to meet the demands of
20,000 people, what will be the effect on the water table and well efficien-
cies of an addition of 10 more wells when the city well field will need to
supply water for a population of 30,000 people? The model will enable you
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to more accurately predict whether or not the aquifer will be able to naturally
meet the future demand on a local and regional basis, how to properly space and
construct the wells to most efficiently produce the amount of water needed and
whether artificial recharge or other alternatives may be required.
There are several ground-water models available including ones that can
be used on mala frame computers, mini-computers or micro-computers. The type
of model that Is appropriate depends upon the computer capacities available and
Lhe type of ground-water system to be modeled. Information about ground-water
models can be obtained through The International Ground Water Modeling Center,
llolcomb Research Institute, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.
Once future demands on the aquifer are projected, the model can help with
tin- decision-making involved In the development of a management and protection
p I a n.
STEP 6: DEFINE LEGAL PARAMETERS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Oklahoma has been referred to as a "riparian doctrine" state because water
laws maintain the rights of riparian owners (owners of land adjacent to water)
to utilize the waters that exist on or beneath their property. Current ground-
water law not only provides land owners with equal and proportionate shares of
the water, it placed municipal, industrial, farming, domestic and commercial
use of ground water on equal footing by failing to appropriate ground water
based on prioritized-beneficial uses. (See Appendix VII).
Each state and the municipalities within that state operate under a unique
seL of state and local statutes that dictate different jurisdictional respon-
sibilities and authorities. Before a viable management plan can be estab-
1 Ished the beneficiaries must determine what legal authorities they have to
the plan and identify any legal barriers that may exist.
In the case of the Garber-Wellington Project, some of these existing local
anchorI ties were identified and exercised even before completion of a manage-
ment plan. As noted previously in this report, a major potential pollution
factor Identified was the abundance of oil and gas drilling activity through-
out the aquifer area. Through the GWA, the municipalities and counties devel-
oped an oil and gas ordinance designed to enable them to exercise some control
over such activity occurring in their individual jurisdictions. The ordi-
nance adopted wholly or in part by several of the local governments, estab-
lishes permitting and Inspection procedure for oil and gas exploration
ventures as well as production activities.
Potential threats to the aquifer do not always come from "outside" commer-
cial or Individual activities. Realizing that the municipalities that utilize
the resource can be their own worst enemy if they do not monitor the cumulative
effects of their activities In the'aquifer, the Garber-Wellington benefici-
aries applied their extensive monitoring system and compilation of data to
methods for policing their own activities, also. Municipal utilization of the
aquifer must be self regulated and specifically provided for in the management
plan. State and federal regulatory authorities over municipal activities,
specifically provisions for safe drinking water, can be utilized as an assur-
ance of local government's success with self regulation.
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Local governments generally have the authority to monitor and regulate
urban expansion, development within recharge areas, wastewater discharge and
public servicesall factors that need to be addressed in a management plan.
Results from the Garber-Wellington Research Project indicate that local
control of a resource is an essential element for assurance that a management
plan is implementable and that efficient enforcement of regulations can be
accomplished. A local entity that is a beneficiary is more inclined to ensure
compliance with local regulations than is a more remote federal or state
agency. This does not imply, however, that federal and state involvement in
ground-water protection is not necessary. To the contrary, preservation of
these resources is of vital concern on a national basis. Federal and state
research efforts are particularly needed. It is to suggest that ground-water
management belongs at the local level and that federal and state governments'
efforts should be supportive of local decisions and should become primary only
if it is concluded that the local beneficiaries are unwilling or unable to
manage their ground-water resources. The primary rationale for local control
is simply that the beneficiaries of the aquifer have the most to lose if the
system is ineffective and the most to gain if ground-water management is suc-
cessful.
The development of local ground-water districts/associations composed of
the beneficiaries of an aquifer, whose boundaries generally coincide with
defineable hydrogeologic units which encompass underground reservoirs and
their recharge areas, was found to be a logical place to begin the management
process.
STEP 7: PREPARE MANAGEMENT PLAN
The previous discussion provides a list of the major steps to be taken
toward the development of an aquifer protection and management plan; identifi-
cation of participants, establishment of means to finance plan development,
definition of the physical characteristics of the aquifer, selection of a
computer model for data manipulation and definition of legal parameters and
responsibilities.
These steps seem rather straightforward, however, within completion of
each component, you are likely to encounter unexpected situations that will
require additional work in certain areas. For example, during collection of
data on the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, possible problems with excessive levels
of chromium, selenium and uranium were discovered, which prompted additional
water quality research.
After each of these steps has been studied and all questions answered to
the satisfaction of the beneficiaries, a plan for the use, protection and
management of the resource can be written. At this writing, such a plan has
not been completed for the Garber-Wellington Aquifer due to several remaining
questions such as: What is the actual recharge rate, and is artificial recharge
a viable option in this aquifer? How can the policy makers mitigate problem
situations caused by overpumpage in certain areas? How can excessive levels of
chromium, selenium and uranium be avoided? Research will continue until these
questions and others are answered to the satisfaction of the participants.
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Once Che basic data is compiled, a plan for the use, protection and man-
agement of the aquifer will be completed and implemented. It will include
such components as:
A complete description of the aquifer's physical characteristics
Withdrawal and recharge rates
Present and future use information
Suggested zoning actions to ensure appropriate land use decisions to
protect the recharge area
Appropriate local control of oil and gas activities to mitigate pollu-
tion potential
Pumping rates and suggested well spacing for municipalities
IdentifLcatton of locations where more development of the aquifer can
occur safely and locations where more development should not occur
Specifications for appropriate well construction and locations
A .plan for continued data collection and monitoring of the aquifer
An aquifer development, management and protection plan is an evolving
documentit is not meant to be a static blueprint for action, but a point to
work from. Through continual data collection on an aquifer, the beneficiaries
wl I I be In a position to continually update the plan and improve their manage-
ment el"fortsthus helping to ensure the continued viability of their water
resource.
10
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Figure 1
Protocol Flowchart
The chart indicates steps to be taken to insure that local
aquifers are fully evaluated and adequately protected for
future uses.
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-------
ADEQUATE PROTECTION
AT STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL
U res&\
GROUND UATER PROTECTION
POLICY IN FORCE
4
r' ' '"
ADEQUATE
AT LOCA
L
J
f USERS inPLf
1
r A*7
X
INTEREST A/<7 , ^\ SEEK STATE/FEBERAL ACTION J
J
f Yes
yes
^^^
SUFFICIENT LOCAL FUNDING ?J - ^7 ^ 1
J
r.^^
^^^^^^H
AVENUES FOR PUBLIC | NO fc t. BE
INPUT TO PROJECT J \ PUBLI
J
\^^^^^
V*^3C* .^tt
I
RESEARCH ALL |
REVENUE SOURCES I
1
VELOP AND UIPtCMENT I
C PARTICIPATION PROGRrtl I
|
f CROUND-UATER DATAA A/r fr f ASSEMBLE ALL A
L IN ONE LOCATION J r ^CROUNO-UATER DATA/
1
[ GROUND-UA
1 COMPUTE
1
TERDATA I A//> ^ [
RIZED J 1D
1
RESEARCH AND ACCESS J
«TA RETRIEVAL SYSTEM I
I '
^AQUIFER BOUNDARIES^ NO +\ ««TA COLLECTION TO IDENTIFY 1
1 DEFINED J 1 AQUIFER CHARACTERISTICS J
1
Yes 4
1
12
-------
GROUND-WATER QUALITY
CIEETS STANDARDS
INVESTIGATE ALTERNATIVES
TO INSURE COMPLIANCE
Yes
HAN-HADE POLLUTION SOURCES
IDENTIFIED
NO
IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP
CONTROL PROCEDURES
Yes «$
UATER-OUANTITY
ADEQUATE
NO
IDENTIFY/DEVELOP CONSERVATION
AND/OR RECHARGE TECHNIQUES
Yes
ADEQUATE DATA BASE
FOR PLANNING/MODELING
NO
IHPLEI1ENT UELL RECORDS
KEEPING SYSTEM
ADOPT ZONING REGULATIONS
RECHARGE AREA PROTECTED
DEVELOP AND IHPLET1ENT
PROTECTION MEASURES
AQUIFER PROTECTED FROtl
SUBSURFACE CONTAMINATION
ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR
THESE SOURCES
i
Yes
AQUIFFR PROTECTION VESTED
IN ONE AGENCY
NO
1
DEVELOP PLAN FOR AQUIFER
PROTECTION BY ONE AGENCY
Yes
Jl
GROUND-UATER PROTECTION
AT LOCAL LEVEL
HODIFY LAUS FOR ENFORCEHENT
AT LOCAL LEVEL
Yes
13
-------
LOCAL AGENCV ADEQUATELY
PROTECTING GROUND UATER
\
NO
Yes
SUCCESSFUL GROUND UATER PROTECTION
POLICY IN FORCE
REVIEU ENTIRE PROCEDURE
mPLEHENT CHANGE
-------
Appendix I
Resolution Creating the
Garber-Wellington Association
-------
A RESOLUTION
BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
WHEREAS, the general purpose local units of government in
Central Oklahoma have established under Title 74, O.S. 1971 §
1001 - 1008a, a Council of Governments to enable said public
entities to efficiently use their powers by cooperating with each
other on a basis of mutual advantage; and,
WHEREAS, Section II(D) of the Agreement Creating the Assoc-
iation of Central Oklahoma Governments provides for the identifi-
cation and determination of locally perceived issues, problems
and priorities requiring concerted coordinated action of a multi-
jurisdictional nature; and,
WHEREAS, Section II(H) of the Agreement Creating the Assoc-
iation of Central Oklahoma Governments provides for the ACOG Board
of Directors to act on behalf of all or part of the membership to
negotiate and consummate contractual agreements of mutual interest
to federal, state and local governments; and,
WHEREAS, Section II(I) of the Agreement Creating the Assoc-
iation of Central Oklahoma Governments permits local governmental
units to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling
them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advan-
tage and thereby provide services and facilities in a manner pursuant
to forms of governmental organization that will accord best with
geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the
needs and development of local communities; and,
WHEREAS, it is the purpose and desire of the undersigned
Garber-Wellington Aquifer beneficaries to join in a cooperative
effort to perform a study of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer designed
in part to determine the boundaries of the fresh water, recharge
characteristics of the aquifer, production potential and safe
withdrawl zones and rates to identify pollution sources and recom-
mend preventive measures. This study is expected to produce a
data base that can be used by local ground water management agencies
to better protect and manage the nation's ground water resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The undersigned members of the Association of Central Oklahoma
Governments enter into agreement to carry out the process for
a study of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer in Central Oklahoma; and
further that it is the intention of said parties to participate
with and through the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
(ACOG) as the Council of Governments in this initial effort and
in turn the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments shall
delegate policy authority to a new policy committee of ACOG as
detailed below:
1-1
-------
SVTTTON I
Garber-Wellington Association
(A) There is hereby established an association of Garber-Welling-
ton Aquifer beneficiaries that shall be known hereafter as the
Garber-Wellington Association (GWA).
(B) Membership eligibility in the GWA shall consist of all general
purpose local units of government within the principal water pro-
duction/recharge area of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. Membership
in the GWA shall be voluntary.
(C) The governing body of any eligible general purpose local unit
of government may attain membership in the GWA by passage of an
ordinance, resolution or otherwise pursuant to law by the governing
body of the general purpose local unit of government seeking member-
ship and the signing of this resolution signifying concurrence with
the objectives of this resolution.
(D) Responsibility for the Garber-Wellington project design, con-
sultant selection, policy direction, plan selection and program
development is vested solely with the Garber-Wellington Policy
Committee (GWPC), the governing body of the GWA.
(E) Membership eligibility in the Garber-Wellington Policy Com-
mittee (GWPC) shall consist of all general purpose local units of
government within the ACOG water product ion/recharge area of the
Garber-Wellington Aquifer.
(F) Each individual on the GWPC shall be designated as a Director,
and as such shall b& entitled to one (1) vote on the GWPC. Each
respective governmental member of the GWPC shall select its voting
delegate to the GWPC. They shall select not more than two (2)
alternate delegates by the same process. Either of the alternate
delegates may serve in the absence of the regular selected delegate
and have all the voting rights of the regular selected delegate
and such delegate shall be a member of the governing board.
Such appointment shall be in writing and specify the power or
powers delegated, thereto and shall be filed with the GWPC, duly
signed by the appointing authority. Provided, however, such alter-
nates shall be elected officials from the appropriate local unit
of government.
(G) The GWPC shall meet regularly to perform the following duties:
(1) Initiate, conduct or cause to be conducted studies
related to the protection, development and management of
fresh water aquifers.
1-2
-------
(2) Prepare or cause to be prepared comprehensive plans
for the use and protection of ground water aquifers; pre-
pare and adopt plans, policies and programs recommending
the governmental and organizational devices or structures
necessary for providing proper ground water development
in central Oklahoma.
(3) Review recommendations of a Garber-Wellington Technical
Committee (GWTC).
(4) Direct establishment of and adopt a budget for the
Garber-Wellington Plan of Study; review the overall project
annually and make amendments as appropriate.
(H) Officers (chair, vice-chair, secretary) shall be elected by
the GWPC from among its members and meetings shall be held on a
regular basis. The officers of the GWPC shall be the officers
of the GWA. A quorum for the purposes of voting and otherwise
conducting the business of the GWPC shall be a simple majority of
the designated members. The project staff shall have the primary
administrative responsibility to serve the GWPC. Each member
entity of the GWPC shall be entitled to a single vote.
SECTION II
Garber-Wellington Technical Committee
Technical guidance of the project shall be vested with the project
staff and a Garber-Wellington Technical Committee (GWTC) established
to serve the technical needs of the project. The GWTC shall consist
of technical and professional local entity staffs. The GWTC shall
review the technical aspects of the project and make recommendations
to the GWPC.
The Garber-Wellington Technical Committee membership shall consist
of an official staff person from each local governmental member
entity of the GWA designated by the City Manager or Chief Admini-
strator, (either management or engineering consultants may serve
instead of official staff as non-voting members only), the Assoc-
iation Project Director and the EPA Project Director.
The GWTC may, upon approval of the GWPC, appoint other qualified
individuals to full voting membership in order to utilize profes-
sional expertise and to coordinate the project activities with
other related functions.
A chairperson shall be elected by the GWTC and meetings shall be
held on a regular basis to review technical procedures and advise
the Association Project Director and, in turn, the GWPC. A quorum
1-3
-------
of the GWTC shall consist of one-fifth of the designated members
listed above; however, business conducted in the absence of a
quorum shall be forwarded in the same manner as business conducted
with a quorum, except that it shall be noted a quorum was not
present.
SECTION III
Advisory Commission
There may be established an Advisory Commission whose members
shall be appointed by the GWPC and whose duties shall be to serve
as a special technical advisory task force to the GWTC. The
primary purpose of the Advisory Commission is to provide technical
input that will enhance the transferability of the results of
this study to other areas of the country that have similar ground
water resources and related problems. From time to time, the dif-
ferent agency representatives will be asked to clarify any new
state and/or federal rules, regulations and policies affecting
the GWPC decision process.
Membership of the Advisory Commission may consist of representatives
from each of the national water resources agencies, interested
Oklahoma State agencies and interested representatives from agencies
of other states and from other entities within the state, but out-
side the ACOG area. At minimum, the national/state water resources
representatives to be requested to serve shall be from the U.S.
Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, Environmental Protection
Agency, Corps of Engineers, the National Water Well Association and
state water resources agencies.
SECTION IV
, Work Program
\
A work program, which contains a multi-year framework for the pro-
ject, will be developed in accordance with federal requirements.
Detailed work activities will be developed each year in an overall
program design and adopted by the Garber-Wellington Policy Committee.
SECTION V
Financing
Any local financing of the joint undertaking contemplated by this
agreement and effort created thereby shall be based upon the decision
of the participating entities of the GWPC.
T-4
-------
As a contribution to their continuing efforts to develop and
protect the total water resources available to the ACOG area and
in conformance with the ACOG Regional Water Plan Years 1985-2000,
this resolution is approved through formal adoption by the Board
of Directors of the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
and may be executed in multiple counterparts by each participating
unit of local government through the ACOG Board representative.
1-5
-------
Signature Page
.Executive /Director
Chairman, AGOG
Board of Directors
< Deli Gordon
Attorney at Law
December 28, 1978
1-6
-------
Appendix II
Forms Used in Computerized
Data Base
II-
-------
WELL CONSTRUCTION
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T
UIELL ft:
DATE OF CONSTR.:
DATE OF WORKOVER:
DRILLING METHOD:
COMPLETION METHOD!
SCREEN TYPE:
SHOTS/FT:
SCREEN SLOT SIZEi
CASING MATERIAL!
SCREEN MATERIAL!
HOLE DIAMETER:
HOLE DIAMETER!
HOLE DIAMETER:
SCREEN/CASING SCHED
SCREEN/CASING SCHED
SCREEN/CASING SCHED
SCREEN/CASING SCHED
TOTAL DEPTH SCREEN i
HT. OF TOP OF CASING:
MASTER FORM #1
(FILE NAME B:CONST)
/R
S.
(CT,AR,MR,RV,OT)
(gvl-si, gvl-sc,cem-pf, sit-cas,screen, ope
(siotted,wr-wrp,1ouvrd,mi1-sit,
tor-si t ,pf-gun ,pf-jet,pf-unk,unk>
(stee1,pvc,st i re)
(steel,pvc,stain,stire)
FT.
FT.
FT.
FT,
FT,
FT,
FT,
IN. FROM
IN. FROM
IN. FORM
: DIA.
i DIA.
: DIA.
: DIA.
R CASED:
FEET
FT.- TO
FT.- TO
FT.- TO
IN. FROM
IN. FROM
IN. FROM
IN. FROM
FT.
ABOVE GROUND
TO
TO
TO
TO
FT.
FT.
FT.
FT.
SURFACE
SCREENED OR PERFORATED
<
(100
(200
(300
(400
(500
(600
(700
(800
(900
(1888
8-99
- 199
- 299
- 399
- 499
- 599
- 699
- 799
- 899
- 999
- 1299
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.)
FT.) !
FT . ) :
INTERVAL: FROM-TO / FROM-TO / FROM-TO /
GROSS INTERVAL SCREEN/CASE-TOTAL FOOTAGE: . FEET
AGGREGATE TOTAL OF SCREEN/PERFORATED SANDS: . FEET
SANITARY SEAL TYPE: (CEMNT,CLAY,CL/CA,NONE)
FROM . FT.- TO .FT. BELOW GROUND SURFACE
OTHER SEALS: (CEMNT,CLAY,CL/CA,NONE)
FROM .FT.-TO . FT. BELOW GROUND SURFACE
FROM . FT.-TO . FT. BELOW GROUND SURFACE
II-1
-------
MASTER FORM #2
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T
UELL «:
REPORTED ORIG.STATI
MOST RECENT STATIC
MEAS.POINT HT.I
MEAS.POINT ELEV. t
UTR LEV.i DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
DATE
/R
S.
C LEVEL:
DATE : /
LEVEL:
DATE : / /
HT. ABOVE
FEET
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
/WL
FEET
/
FEET
GROUND SURFACE
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /W EL.
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
FT /METHOD
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
/STAT
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT: AIR.,EST.,PR/GA,CA/GA,REPRT,ST/TP,EL/TP
SITE STATUS: PUM,RP,NP,NRP
-2
-------
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T /R S.
WELL tt:
DATE UELL PLACED IN SERVICE:
ANNUAL PUMPING RATE:
INLINE RATE OR VOLUME METER:
PUMP CAPACITYi 0PM
REPORTED YEILD: . GPM
REPORTED USE: YEAR
IN ACRE FEET/YEAR
(YES,NO)
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
19
USE
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
MILLION GAL.PER
METHOD
MEASUR.
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
DAY / /
PMPING
LEVEL
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT: WIER,VOL.MT,ORIFIC,VOLUMT
PUMPING LEVELS ARE FROM MEASURING POINT
H-3
-------
MASTER FORM #4
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T /R S.
WELL lit
TOP OF FRESH WATER DEPTH: . FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
BOTOM OF FRESH WATER DEPTHt . FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
TOP OF SALT WATER DEPTH« . FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
TOP OF BRACKISH WATER DEPTH: . FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
BOTTOM OF SULFATE WATER DEPTH: . FEET BELOW LAND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
GROSS AQUIFER THICKNESS OF FRESH WATER: . FEET
AGGREGATE THICKNESS OF FRESH WATER: . FEET
SAND SHALE RATIO: . /
II-4
-------
MASTER FORM #5
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T /R S.
I.IFI I «!
r-iniir-, i i DI i i.-,rrci.. roil, n I, ur»i , ul
IOP OF FORMATION DEPTH: . FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
BOTTOM OF FORMATION DEPTH: . FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACE
ELEVATION! . FEET
*********«*##***
FORMATION TAPPED:
TOP OF FORMATION DEPTH: . FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
BOTTOM OF FORMATION DEPTH: . FEET BELOW GROUND SURFACE
ELEVATION: . FEET
*#*#*****#*#*##*
FORMATION TAPPED:
-------
MASTER FORM #6
LEGAL DESCRIP..: T /R
WELL «:
COMMENTS:
II-6
-------
MASTER FORM #7
LEGAL DESCR1P.: T /R S.
WELL tt:
PUMP HORSE POWER: . HP
RATED CAPACITY: . GPM
PUMP TYPE: < SUBM.,TURB.,CENTR,JET,OTHER>
PUMP INTAKE SETTING: . FEET
OTHER INFORMATION: (YES,NO)
II-7
-------
MASTER FORM #8
LEGAL DESCRIP.i T /R S.
WELL *i
DATE OF ANALYSES! / /
SOURCEi
LENGTH OF TIME IN SERVICE PRIOR TO SAMPLING: YEARS
LENGTH OF TIME PIMPED PRIOR TO SAMPLING I . HOURS AT GPM
ANALYSESi DATA , UNITS
pH
CONDUCTANCE
TDS
TOTAL HARDNESS
CALC. HARDNESS
ALKALINITY
CHLORIDES
IRON
SULFATES
MANGANESE
CHROMIUM
SELENIUM
***********
DATE OF ANALYSES) / /
SOURCEt
LENGTH OF TIME IN SERVICE PRIOR TO SAMPLINGi YEARS
LENGTH OF TIME PUMPED PRIOR TO SAMPLINGi . HOURS AT GPM
ANALYSES: DATA , UNITS
pH
CONDUCTANCE
TDS
WTAL HARDNESS
CALC. HARDNESS
ALKALINITY
CHLORIDES
IRON
SULFATES
MANGANESE
**«*»*»*****
DATE OF ANALYSESi / /
SOURCEt
LENGTH OF TIME IN SERVICE PRIOR TO SAMPLINGi YEARS
LENGTH OF TIME PUMPED PRIOR TO SAMPLINGi . HOURS AT GPM
ANALYSESi DATA UNITS
PH
CONDUCTANCE
TDS
TOTAL HARDNESS
CALC. HARDNESS
ALKALINITY
CHLORIDES
IRON
SULFATES
MANGANESE
-------
MASTER FORM #9
LEGAL DESCRIP.: T /R S.
WELL «:
LAT./LONG.: . /
dea min sec deg min sec
OWNER:
TYPE OF WELL: (PROD.,T.H.,MONT.,DBS.,ABAN.>
FORMAT.TAPPED:
ELEVATION: . FEET
CURRENT USE: UMP TEST:
ANNUAL USEl
WATER LEVELS:
WATER QUALITY:
AQUIFER DATA:
GARBER W.Q.:
COMMENTS:
(Y-yesjN-no;1,2,3 number of entries)
ENTITY:
ACCURACY :
/
< EEI,MUNC,OSDH,OWRB,USGS)
II-9
-------
MASTER FORM #10
PUMP TEST INfORWTlON (FILE NAME BiPUMPT)
LEGAL DESCRIP.t T /R S.
WELL Ni
ORIGINAL PUMP TEST DATE i / /
TYPE OF TEST i, (SP.CP. , CT.RT. , ST. DW. >
ft***********
PUMPING RATE AT BEGINNING OF TESTi GPM *
PUMPING RATE AT END OF TESTi GPM »
LENGTH OF TEST I HOURS
DRAWDOWN I PIKT
**************
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT i
Q/S AT END OF TESTi . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
Q/S AFtER 24 HOURS i . GPM PER FOOT OF ORAUDOUN
TRANBMISSIVITYi . GAL. /DAY/SO. FT.
PERMEAilLlTYi . GAL./DAY/CU.FT.
STORAGE COEFFICIENT. . «16-
USE OF WELL BETWEEN TESTS i
WHO CALCULATED THE DATA ABOVE i
IS RAU DATA AVAILABLEi
22222232222222222222222222222222222
PUMP TEST DATE i / /
TVPE OF TESTt (SP.CP. , CT.RT. , ST. OW. >
**«*«***********«
PUMPING RATE AT BEGINNING OF TESTi GPM
PUMPING RATE AT END OF TESTi GPM *
LENGTH OF TESTi HOURS '
DRAWDOWN t FEET
a*****
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT i (METER, BAILER, ORIFI . ,UIER>
Q/S AT END OF TESTi . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
Q/S AFTER 24 HOURS i . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
TRANSMISSIVITYi . GAL ./DAY/ SO. FT .
PERMEABILlTYi . GAL./DAY/CU.FT.
STORAGE COEFFICIENT i . «18-
USE OF WELL BETWEEN TESTS i
WHO CALCULATED THE: DATA ABOVE i
IS RAW DATA AVAILABLE I
33333333333333333333333333333333333
PUMP TEST DATE I / /
TYPE OF TESTi (SP.CP. , CT.RT. , ST. DW. >
PUMPING RATE AT BEGINNING OF TESTi GPM
PUMPING RATE AT END OF TESTi GPM
LENGTH OF TESTi HOURS
DRAWDOWN t FEET *
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT i (METER, BAILER, OR I FI . ,WI ER>
Q/S AT END OF TESTi . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
Q/S AFTER 24 HOURS t . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
TRANSMISSIVITYi . GAL. /DAY/SO. FT.
PERMEABILlTYi . GAL./DAY/CU.FT.
STORAGE COEFFICIENT i . «li-
USE OF WELL BETWEEN TESTS i
WHO CALCULATED THE DATA ABOVE t
IS RAW DATA AVAILABLE i
44444444444444444444444444444444444
PUMP TEST DATE I / /
TYPE OF TESTi (SP.CP. , CT.RT. , ST. DW. )
PUMPING RATE AT BEGINNING OF TESTi GPM »
PUMPING RATE AT END OF TESTi GPM «
LENGTH OF TESTi HOURS *
DRAWDOWN i FEET *
METHOD OF MEASUREMENT i (METER, BAILER, ORIFI . ,WIER>
Q/S AT END OF TESTi . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
Q/S AFTER 24 HOURS i . GPM PER FOOT OF DRAWDOWN
TRANSMISSIVITYi . GAL. /DAY/ SO. FT.
PERMEABILlTYi . GAL./DAY/CU.FT.
STORAGE COEFFICIENT i . !«-
USE OF WELL BETWEEN TESTS i
WHO CALCULATED THE DATA ABOVE i
IS RAW DATA AVAILABLE I
-------
Appendix 111
Municipal Well Records
Keeping System
III-
-------
WELL FIELD MONITORING
Objectives:
Just as with a surface water lake, the ground-water reservoir must be
managed. To have a continuing supply, the amount of water pumped from the
reservoir must be controlled to match the amount of recharge or inflow.
Good management of a ground-water reservoir is difficult. It requires
(1) an accurate historical account of all water removed by pumping, natural
outflow.and other losses, (2) accurate measurements of the historical recharge
or Inflow into the reservoir, and (3) control of water removed to balance
inflow.
In addition to providing the necessary data required for the proper and
efficient maintenance of the well field, this data will provide invaluable
engineering data. This data can then be used when future expansion to the
existing well field are made and will help to insure a safe and efficient
design of any future expansion to the well field.
An effective monitoring program should include the following monitoring
functions.
1. Monitoring of the well and well house operation.
2. Monitoring of the water levels.
3. Monitoring of pumps.
4. Monitoring of the water quality.
The monitoring of the water levels and water quality needs to be done not only
on the production wells, but also on the monitoring wells, and abandoned pro-
duction wells.
Monitoring Program
Monitoring of Water Levels
Data on water levels should be collected in three different groupings
as follows:
1. Monthly measurements taken with the pump on.
2. 81-yearly measurements of each production well.
3. Bi-yearly measurements of the monitoring wells.
each we!1:
Monthly Measurements:
Once each month the following measurements should be made of
1. Water meter reading
2. Power meter reading
3. Depth to water
4. Water pressure
5. Pumping rates
Hi -1
-------
a. City name. . ,
b. Well number.
c. Well location.
, . d. Date of sampling.
6. Obtain samples.
7: Place the sample in a cooler containing ice (ACOG will provide
the cooler).
8. Deliver sample to Greg Wallace with ACOG as soon as possible.
When the analyses are completed the results will be forwarded on to the
City. The first round of samples should be taken by October 1, 1980.
Ill- 2
-------
These measurements will monitor the performance of both the
well and the pump. If any sudden change is noted in these data, the cause of
the change should be identified. Forms for recording this data are given.
After collection of this data the following information should be calculated:
1. Elevation of the water table.
2. Total head.
3. Total volume of water pumped since the last measurement.
4. Adjusted volume of water pumped (volume meter corrected
for its inaccuracies).
5. The power consumed since the last measurement.
6. The average power consumed since the last measurement.
Forms for the calculation and recording of these data are provided.
Bi-Yearly Measurement of Each Production Well:
Twice each year each of the Production Wells should remain-out
of operation for approximately two -weeks. After this period of time the depth
to water should then be measured. Forms for recording these measurements are
provided.
Bi-Yearly Measurements to be Taken at Monitoring Well:
Twice each year the depth of water should be measured in each of
the monitoring and observation wells. In addition to recording the depth to
water in each well, a listing of all the production wells on at the time of the
measurements should be made. Forms for these data are also included.
Monitoring of Pump Performance
Once each year Pump Performance curves should be run of each pump.
Procedure:
I. Before starting the tests the well being tested should have been
on for at least 8 hours.
II. Close prelube water ,line valve.
III. Record the following measurements on the forms provided.
A. Pumping Rate
1. Using rate meter
2. Using volume meter
B. Depth to water
C. Line pressure
D. Rate of power consumption (determined by timing the
length of time required for the power usage disk
(located in the power meter) to make 1 revolution.
Ill-3
-------
IV. Attach an orifice weir
V. Open the pressure relief valve to bypass line.
VI. Close the valve to the main waterline. Caution: Do not
exceed a line pressure of 200 psi.
VII. Install an accurate pressure gauge on the water tap (gauge
should be accurate to 1 psi).
VIII. Adjust pressure relief valve such that the line pressure is at
80 psi and wait 10 minutes before proceeding.
IX. Record the following data
A. Pumping rate.
1. Using rate meter.
2. Using volume meter.
3. Using orifice wier.
B. Depth to water.
C. Line pressure using both pressure gauges.
D. Rate of power consumption.
X. Increase the pressure by 20 psi, wait 10 minutes.
XI. Repeat steps IX and X until measurements have been made at a
line pressure of 180 psi.
XII. Set pressure relief valve at 140 spi.
XIII. Return the system to a normal operating condition.
Calculations:
After completion of the test, calculate the following data:
1. Total head. Calculate according to the following
equation:
HT HL x 2.31 + DTW + 18
where
HT 1s the total head
HL is the line pressure
and
DTW is the depth to water
III- 4
-------
2. Calculate the pump efficiency by using the following
equation:
E « HT x P x Q
191 x Kh
where
P is the rate of power consumption
Kh is the meter constant
and
Q is the pumping rate determined using the orifice weir.
After all of this data has been collected, the data should then be placed
on the forms provided.
Overa11 Pump Eff i ci encies
The overall efficiency of a well can be determined by using the following
equation:
E" VxHT
318^00 xHcw
where
V 1s the volume pumped
HT is the total head (in feet of water), and includes
both the pumping lift and discharge heads.
K is the number of kilowatts consumed (read from the
power meter).
Ill- 5
-------
PORM WJTM aOKPLG TQ:
?aA
O e
M.C. 1
Greg Wallace* Pro.ie(it__Enainp
-------
161
PftOJCCT
SUBJECT
DIAGRAM I
.IDC. 1225 West Main - Suite 215 Norman, Oklahoma 73069 (405) 329-8300
frOR
PROJECT NUMBER '
8Y ^V HAT"r"-£- 17-80
MONITORING PROGRAM PA
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
MONITORING WELLS STATIC WATER LEVELS
WELL NUMBER
ELEVATION OF MARKER POINT
tat*
corded By
Depth to Miter
ot
toter Table
III - 8
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
riTY
B1-Yearly Measurement of the Static
Water Levels
Well #
Date
Date the Well
Was Last Purr.ped
Depth to
Water
Production Wells on at the
Time of the Measurement
To be made after the pump has been off for at least two weeks)
III-9
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
DATA SHEET
WELL NUMBER
DATE
RECORDED
IT
UATER HETEI
READING
POUEt HETER
READING
PUMP
ON
orr
DEPTH TO UATER
CAGE
fEET
UATER LINE
PRESSURE
PUMPING
RATE
REMARKS
[lectrtc Meter ScrU) 1
lectrlc M«ter Const«nt
SfRVICC WORK ON UEU
DATE
WE or WORK PERFORMED
1
REMARKS
i _ .
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
cm
HELL FIELD MONITORING CALCULATION SHEET
WELL NUMBER
DATE
RECORDED
BIT
ELEVATION
Of WATER
TABLE
TOTAL
HEAD*
i
VOLUME or
WATER
PIMPED
ADJUSTED
VOLUME OK
UATER
PUMPED
POWER
CONSUMED
POWER
CONSUMED
/IOOO GAL.
REMARKS
'
Includesl£>ft. of head loss In pump and ^ ft. of held loss between pimp and pressure gage.
The factor to adjust volume meter to orlHce aeler Is . determined from pump curve.
Elevation of Pisnp House Floor
Elevation of Drawdown Tube
Depth of the bottom of the drawdown tube
Original Static Water Table Elevation
Depth -
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL ^ELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
PUMP TEST DATA
WELL I
DATE
METER CONSTANT
TIME
DEPTH TO
WATER
GAGE FEET
PUMPING RATE
ORIFICE
RATE
METER
VOLUME
METER
i-
/
LINE
PRESSURE
POWER
USAGE
TOTAL
HEAD
X
EFFICIENCY
REMARKS
i
1
NOTES:
-------
EEI *3?I5-BO
i
M
OJ
j
WftOA-
fe.
I
§MO_
X
c-
'
24O
160
ISO 30O 320
GALLONS PE« MINUTE
8
34O 9@9
TO 5
k
g
0 &
IATE.^...^.. AC OG
WELL MO.
MUNICIPAL RECORDS
-------
EEI 5-15-80
WELL I
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
PUMP TEST DATA
DATE
METER CONSTANT
TIME
DEPTH TO
WATER
GAGE FEET
PUMPING RATE
ORIFICE
RATE
METER
VOLUME
METER
LINE
PRESSURE
POWER
USAGE
TOTAL
HEAD
%
EFFICIENCY
REMARKS
-
i
i
NOTES:
-------
EXAMPLES
III - 15
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
MONITORING WELLS STATIC WATER LEVELS
HELL NUMBER
ELEVATION OF MARKER POINT /'.
Date
8-vB-r
B-4S-T*
y-i^S
1-/4-70
!/ -25.7s
\
\
\
i
1
1
i
i
Recorded By
JH
JH
zu
KC
VTA
Depth to Water
36,1
311
373.04
371
386.10
i
EvtlMtlon of
Miter Table
twurks
i
i
III _ 16
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY tiowue&z
BI-Yearly Measurement of the Static
Water Levels
Well I
/
2
2
4
6
<£
7
8
o.oi
A55.&2
Production Wells on at the
Time of the Measurement
3,4. 5,7, &, /O
$,+,,7,8 ,/G
/, 2,6,?
1.2, b,.
-------
EEI 5-1S-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY Yu
HELL FIELD MONITORING
DATA SHEET
WELL NUMBER
DATE
6-24-7ft
?./* 75
10 I&-7&
3-9t>-T3
6-/1 7f
RCCORDCD
IT
66
HB
KB
AJTA
MT A
HATCH METER
READING
-&-
&I47
111837
:») 12081
POWER MttCfe
READING
-c*
8064
A4>$OO
(V 80141
(4) llov.
PUMP
ON
t^
r
r
y
OFF
*x
OCPTH 10 WATER
GAGE
fEET
309.0$
480.3S
5O9.U
6l>t>.3&
6H. H
UATCR I INC
PRESSURE
&
*?t>
SO 7
/OO
no
.
PUMPING
RATE
&.
380
370
36O
REMARKS
Electric Heter Serial » 46*74 $/£>$
llectrlc Meter Constant 43.2
SERVICE UORK ON Bill
OATt
TTPC Of WORK PEfirOftHCO
. _ *
-------
EEI 5-15-80
ACOG MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING CALCULATION SHEET
WELL NUMBER &
DATE
< **«
/??}
RECORDED
BY
e>&
xe>
? KB
It/fA
M/TA
aCVATION
OF WATER
TABLE
151. 3t>
111.05
^t>-1t*
613.08
741.30
TOTAL
HEAD*
VOLUME OF
WA1ER
PIMPED
-&-
&I1100
I031>40M
t&iniot
tozino
i
ADJUSltO
VOlUHl Of
WATER
PUMPtO *
->-
7105/8
7742/60
t>/7t84-
0 2841S13
POWtR
CONSUHCO
^>-
8034
3844t>
23374*?
U.2&S1
POWER
CONSUMED
/IOOO (A.
10.5
3.1
3-8
4:3
REMARKS
61. 0% overall eff. ?/nce
£> 34-78
Include! l£,f 1. of head lost in pwp and ^ ft. of head loss between pu*p and pressure gag*.
The factor to adjust volume Meter to orlf tee «eter Is -14- , determined fro* puap curve.
Elevation of Pu«p House Floor 1257, 4J
Elevation of Drawdown Tube I? 51. 4-1
Depth of the bottox of the drawdown tube
Original Static Water Table Elevation 304 . OB
Depth 778 ff. ____
-------
tti D-i
ACOG MUNICIPAL HELL RECORDS
WELL I Y-8
HELL FIELD MONITORING
PUMP TEST DATA
DATE 3 q4> 71
METER CONSTANT 43.3
TIME
tow
to:/6
I0'.?5
IO'-35
lo:44
fo:4B
DEPTH TO
WATER
GAGE FEET
311.10
£(>t,.30
551. 37
54-1.00
54-4.40
534.40
PUMPING RATE
ORIFICE
-0-
33k
313
3d
2t,5
254-
RATE
METER
^
350
330
3/o
a&&
21>O
VOLUME
METER
&
360
335
315
210
26>5
LINE
PRESSURE
-O-
/OO
J20
14-0
/(,S
/&0
POWER
USAGL
-6-
/.?6
/.?6,.-J
X
EFFICIENCY
-o-
65.1
&4.6
4,5.6,
63.7
(,3.4-
REMARKS
%
~
NOTES:
-------
EEI 5-15-80
H
WonO-
4.
s
a
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c
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240
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T
H£A$
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fO^A
~ -
\&D
^
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28O 300 320
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fEP 5
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\
3 SO
-»n ^t
S
TO £
hi
0 w
'""I? -£-£*- A COG
WELL MO. V- ft )
1 MUNICIPAL RECORDS
-------
toco-
H
k.
2§«©-
e
^
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140
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ISO 300 320
QALLONS PCR DINUTC
fi? 5
-* ,
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§
J
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wu.ljs-IL-.j2. A COG
""ll"aY~6 P0«l« ftlfltfdKVC to 1 MUNICIPAI^ RECORDS
-------
EEI 3-15-80
to
OJ
H.
S
^mmlr
fc *O-
TArt-
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M'^
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t80 500 320
GALLONS PCM MINUTE
fr ^
rsr
all?
\cpi
\
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w
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340
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1
TO E
hi
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WSh
""If -i-^ A COG
wen. NQ Y- ft
T R>£0tf fliflkt? ^Jm MO. 2 MUNICIPAL RECORDS
-------
EEI 5-15-80
WELL I
ACO& MUNICIPAL WELL RECORDS
CITY
WELL FIELD MONITORING
PUMP TEST DATA
DATE
METER CONSTANT
TIME
DEPTH TO
WATER
GAGE FEET
PUMPING RATE
ORIFICE
RATE
METER
VOLUME
METER
LINE
PRESSURE
POWER
USAGE
TOTAL
HEAD
%
EFFICIENCY
REMARKS
1
NOTES:
-------
EEt fc'-M5-80
I
ho
IOM)
H
t.
I
2 MO-
t A9tfV
'
24O
240
880 300 320
GALLONS PER MINUTE
340
SCO
-M rf
«
io5
tal
g
.» &
;
a*w-K--r- A COG
WELL Ntt
MUNICIPAL RECORDS
-------
E9-
1@§O
5to
I
74»
40 t«O
Fhtorc
tool EK
^N
C^5-
N
*==5?pSg
ftCfff
N
Mtiat
0
900
OALLONS
MIMUTC
CITY Of YUKON. OK
llft
s-««_i^_ ..
Zffkltitcy tog to«
^
N
1*0 149
^0
«
40
vO
csl
t-l
l-l
l-l
»»««»»».»
-------
EQUIPMENT
III - 27
-------
ORIFICE TABLES
ORIFICE TABLES
kw l_ f. IM»
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-------
.Inc.
1225 Wtst Moin - Suit* 215 Nortnon, Oklohomo 73069 (405) 329-8300
SUBJECT L*P->0N OP
Etf U£IK Br '''V
PA«E
1
DATE
or
FLOW MEASUREMENT
The Orifice Method of Measuring Water Flow
The orifice method is a simple way to measure
How of water from a pipe discharging horizontally
into the open air. The sketch shows the general
arrangement.
A plate or cap is affixed to the end of the pipe
with the circular orifice in the exact center of the
pipe. The size of orifice
should be from one-half to
three-quarters of the sue
of the pipe, but must be of
such sue that it win run
full of water.
A hole for ft" pipe
should be drilled and tap-
ped 14* back from the ori-
fice and a short V»" nipple
screwed in until the inner
end u exactly flush with
the inner wail of the pipe.
One end of a piece of rub-
ber hose is slipped over '«* />
the end of the nipple and the other end over a
glass tube, which should be supported in a ver-
tical position.
Ratio R u the diameter of the orifice divided
by the inside diameter of the pipe, and the proper
value of K is found from the curve. In the formula
A U figured as the area of
the orifice in square indies,
C«)2:2. and H is read u
the height in inches of the
water in the glass tube
above the center of the
pipe. Gallons per minute
(g) then can be figured.
For convenience when
determining capacities dur-
ing pumping teats, tables
for various orifices, cover-
ing readings at one-half
inch intervals, are given
The following page shows a design of an orifice weir suitable for a
pumping test. This particular design 1s nearly symmetrical when the PVC
extension 1s removed. The symmetry allows the weir to be used 1n either
direction with a change of V fittings. The change of fittings may
be necessary 1f the nipple falls to operate properly at one of the tapped
holes.
The weir is made of PVC pipe which Is considerably less in weight
than a metal weir would be. This allows the weir to be manipulated into
place with less trouble. The PVC weir 1s also more economical than the
metal design. However, any design which Incorporates the described guide-
lines of the weir 1s acceptable.
Ill- 29
-------
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MACHINE 50
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WLX
WATER LEVEL
INDICATOR
n Standard lengths: 1000 and 1500 feet
a Brass type diameter 34 " electrode
EJ Sturdy metai stand type reel
a Cable brake control
n High tensile strength cable tagged
every five feet
n Self-contained battery power supply
a Readings in high or low mineral water
FALLING
WAT en
in
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OIL
CASINO
NO
CASINO
U-Scope* Model WLX Water Livel Indicator
This unit operates on the same principle as the regular
Water Level, but uses a geophysical reel to hold the
cable. The indicating unit, including the battery power
supply, is mounted on the left-hand side of the reel, and
can easily be observed by the operator as the cable is
lowered into the well A weighted electrode with only
X" diameter gives assurance that there is no slack in the
cable when taking deep readings. An additional feature
is a selector switch on the indicating unit to permit the
taking of readings in highly saline wells, but also in wells
with very low mineral contents or soft water. No ground
connection is required and the WLX will operate on
cased or non-cased wells. The insulated two-conductor
high tensile strength cable is calibrated at intervals of
5 feet with metal tags. These instruments are available
in standard lengths,of 1000 feet or 1500 feet -
The design of all WL and WLX electrodes permits trouble-tree
operation In wellt with ttlllng wtter, heivy oil slick* tnd regard'
Iota of whether or not a well la cued.
Your M-SCOPE* dealer is:
Fischer Research Laboratory
'1005 I Street
,Los Banos, California 93635
Primod In USA WL 1
III- 31
-------
^i M «.* t u t u r' M ',* "> i' L ' »*~ * t_it".>^a.ii
Available frwn Federal Corp.
: P. 0. Box 26408
j ytOklahoma-'Gity, OK 73126
i .'''.' :..';'»
-------
Appendix IV
Suggested Oil and Gas
Ordinance
IV-
-------
Sections:
CAREER-WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION
TITLE
OIL AND GAS WELLS
Oil and Gas Regulations
2.010 Intent and Purpose.
2.020 Definitions.
2.030 Permits.
2.040 Application and Filing Fee.
2.050 Issuance or Refusal of Permits
2.060 Permittee's Insurance and Bond.
2.080 Enhanced Recovery and Saltwater or
Deleterious Substances Disposal Wells.
2.090 Annual Fee to Operate.
2.100 Disposal of Salt Water.
2.110 Compliance with Applicable Laws.
2.120 Surface Casing.
2.140 Abandonment and Plugging.
2.160 Well Location.
2.170 Fences.
2.180 Noise and Other Nuisances.
2.190 Facilities.
2.200 Storage Tanks and Separators.
2,210 Fire Prevention.
2.220 Pits.
GWA 1-13-82
IV-1
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2.225 Retaining Walls
2.230 Motive Power.
2.240 Derrick and Rig.
2.260 Drilling Operations - Equipment.
2.265 Moving of Drilling Rig.
2.270 Streets and Alleys.
2.280. Flaring of Gas.
2.290 Fracture and Acidizing.
2.300 Swabbing and Bailing.
2.310 Rupture in Surface Casing.
2.320 Depositing Oil Products.
2.330 Safety Precautions.
2.350 Water for Muds.
2..360 Oil and Gas Inspector.
2.370 Service Companies.
2.380 Accumulation of Vapor.
2.390 Inspection of Pressure Lines.
2.400 Ingress and Egress.
2.410 Order to Cease Operations.
2.420 Appeals.
2.425 City Council Review of Permit
Recommendations.
2.430 Conduits on Streets and Alleys.
2.440 Annual Fee for Conduits.
2.450 Applicability to Existing. Operations.
Z.455 Informal Complaints
2.460 Penalties.
2.010 Intent and Purpose. Whereas the imprudent operation
of an oil and gas facility can constitute a menace to the public.
health, safety and welfare of the City of ,it is
the intent and purpose of this Chapter that oil and gas
operations be reasonably regulated for the public good.
GWA 1-13-82
IV- 2
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2.020 Definitions. For the purpose of this Chapter, the
following definitions shall apply:
(a) "City shall mean the Municipality of ,
Oklahoma;
(b) "City Council" shall mean the governing body of the
City;
(c) "Mayor" shall mean the chief elected official of the
City;
(d) "City Manager" shall mean the chief administrative
officer of the City;
(e) "State" shall mean the State of Oklahoma, its
branches, departments, agencies, boards or the officers thereof;
(f) "Person" shall mean and include any person, firm,
partnership, association, corporation, trust, cooperative, or
other type of organization;
(g) "Permittee" shall mean the person to whom is issued a
permit or permits under the terms of this chapter;
(h) "Well" shall mean, unless specifically qualified, any
hole or holes, bore or bores, to any depth for the purpose of
producing and recovering any oil, gas or liquified petroleum
matter or deleterious substances, or for the injection or
disposal of any of the foregoing; ^
(i) "Natural production" shall mean the raising to the
surface of the earth, by natural flow, petroleum or natural gas;
(j) "Artificial production" shall mean the raising to the
surface of the earth, by means other than natural flow,
petroleum or natural gas;
(k) "Deleterious substance" shall mean any chemical, salt
water, oil field brine, waste oil, waste emulsified oil, basic
sediment, mud or injurious substances produced or used in the
drilling, development, producing, transportation, refining and
processing of oil, gas or condensate;
GWA 1-13-82
IV-3
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(1) "Pollution" shall mean the contamination or other
alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological properties
of any natural waters of the City, or such discharge of any
liquid, gaseous or solid substance into any water of the City as
will or is likely to create a nuisance or render such waters
harmful or detrimental or injurious to public health, safety, or
welfare; to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
recreational, or other beneficial uses; or to livestock, animals
or aquatic life;
(m) "Water", "Waters of the City" or "City Water" shall mean
all streams, lakes, ponds, marshes, watercourses, waterways,
wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, and all
other bodies or accumulations or water, surface and underground,
natural or artificial, public or private, which are contained
within, flow through or border upon the City or any portion
thereof;
(n) "Pressure maintenance" shall mean an operation by which
gas, water or other fluids are injected into a supply of oil to
maintain pressure or retard pressure decline therein for the
purpose of facilitating recovery therefrom, and which has been
approved by the Corporation Commission after notice and hearing.
(o) "Enhanced Recovery" shall mean an operation by which
fluid or energy is introduced into a source of supply for the
purpose of facilitating recovery therefrom:
(p) "Corporation Commission" shall mean the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission;
(q) "All technical or oil and gas industry words or phrases
used herein and not specifically defined herein shall have that
meaning customarily attributable thereto by prudent operators in
the oil and gas industry;
(r) "Oil and Gas Inspector" shall mean that person, firm or
corporation qualified and employed by the City of
to enforce the provisions of this ordinance, or by his/her
authorized representatives;
GWA 1-13-82
IV-4
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(s) "Abandoned well" shall mean? (1) each well in which no
production casing has been run, and for which drilling or
testing operations have ceased for thirty (30) consecutive days,
or; (2) any other well for which there is no current city
permit.
(t) "Salt water" as used in this ordinance shall mean any
water containing more than 500 mg/1 chlorides.
(u) "Treatable water" shall mean surface and subsurface
water in its natural state which may or may not require
treatment to be useful for human consumption, and contains less
than 10,000 ppm total dissolved solids and/or 5,000 ppm
chlorides.
2.030 Permits. It shall be unlawful and an offense for any
person acting for himself or acting as agent, servant, employee,
subcontractor, or independent contractor of any other person, to
well within this City, or to work upon or assist in any way in
the production or operation of any such well, without a permit
having first been issued by the authority of the Oil and Gas
Inspector in accordance with this Chapter.
2.040 Application and Filing £££*.
A. Every application for a permit to drill an original well
or to re-enter an abandoned well shall be in writing, signed by
the applicant or by some person duly authorized to sign same on
his behalf, and it shall be filed with the Oil and Gas Inspector
and be accompanied by a filing fee of Three Thousand Five
Hundred Dollars ($3,500.00) No application shall request a
permit to drill more than one well. The application shall
contain full information required by the Oil and Gas Inspector,
including the following:
(1) Name and address of applicant and date of application;
GWA 1-13-82
IV-5
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(2) Where applying for a proposed original well:
(a) A block map of the ten (10) acres surrounding the
drill site, including thereon the location of the
proposed well, and distance therefrom to all
existing dwelling-houses, buildings, or other
structures, designed for the occupancy of human
beings or animals, within three hundred (300) feet
of any such well, and the location of all existing
oil, gas or fresh water wells within said ten (10)
acre tract.
(b) The names of the mineral, surface and lease owners.
(3) A drilling prognosis, to specify in detail the amount,
weight, and size of conductor pipe and surface pipe and
the procedures to be used for cementing such. Plugging
procedures to be used in the event production is not
established shall also be specified.
(4) A statement of the provisions for water for the drilling
rig.
(5) A written plan for disposal of deleterious substances
produced during the drilling operations and any
deleterious substances produced as a result of
production from the well. This plan shall include the
method of transportation and name of transporter or
transport contractor for the deleterious substances and
the name and location of the permitted disposal site,
including a copy of the permit for the disposal site and
a contract with the owner of the permitted site for the
disposal of said deleterious substances, or in the
alternative, provide proof of ownership of the permitted
disposal site. The permittee shall provide monthly
reports to the City of the amount of saltwater and other
deleterious substances produced, along with receipts for
disposal of same.
GWA 1-13-82
IV-6
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(6) The name and address of the person within the State of
Oklahoma upon whom service of process upon applicant may
be made within this State; and in the case of any non-
resident person who has no such service agent within
this State, there shall be attached to the application
the designation of such a service agent resident in
Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, and a consent that service of
summons may be made upon such person in any action to
enforce any of the obligations of the applicant
hereunder.
(7) A verification of the above information by the applicant
hereunder.
B. A copy of the approved Drilling Permit from the
Corporation Commission and a copy of the staking plat shall be
filed with the City prior to issuance of the municipal permit.
C. Where the application is one for the re-entry of an
abandoned well, said application shall contain all the
information required by Section 2.040 A. above, with the
exception that the Oil and Gas Inspector may vary the
requirements thereof to suit the application before him.
Provided, that such an application for a permit to re-enter an
abandoned well shall provide the following information in every
case:
(1) A statement of:
(a) The then condition of the well;
(b) The depth to which it is proposed such well shall be
deepened;
(c) The proposed casing program to be used in connection
with the proposed deepening; and
(2) Evidence of adequate current tests showing that the
casing strings currently passed the same tests that are
GWA 1-13-82
IV-7
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required in the case of the drilling of an original
well.
2.050 Issuance pr Refusal of Permit.
A. The Oil and Gas Inspector's office within thirty (30)
Business days after the filing of an application for a permit
jnder this ordinance shall determine whether or not said
application complies in all respects with the provisions of this
>rdinance and applicable Federal and State law, and, if it does,
shall recommend to the Mayor and City Council that the permit be
.ssued. Each permit issued under the terms of this ordinance
(1) By reference have incorporated therein all the
provisions of this o'rdinance with the same force and
effect as if this ordinance were copied verbatim
therein;
(2) By reference have incorporated therein all the
provisions of applicable State law and the rules,
regulations and standards adopted in accordance
therewith relating to the protection of human beings,
animals, and natural resources;
(3) Specify that the term of said permit shall be for a
period of one (1) year from the date of issuance
thereof, and for like periods thereafter upon the
successful inspection of the permittee's well and
operations, as is provided for elsewhere herein;
(4) Specify such conditions imposed by the Oil and Gas
Inspector as are by this ordinance authorized?
(5) Specify that no actual operations shall be commenced
until the permittee shall file and have approved the
required bonds and certificate of insurance in the
appropriate amounts as provided for elsewhere herein.
GWA 1-13-82
IV-8
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B. If the permit be issued, it shall, in two (2) originals,
be signed by the Oil and Gas Inspector and the permittee, and
when so signed shall constitute the permittee's license to drill
and operate in the City and the contractual obligation of the
permittee to comply with the terms of such permit, such bonds as
are required, and applicable State law, rules, regulations,
standards and directives. One executed original copy of said
permit shall be retained by the Oil and Gas Inspector? the other
shall be retained by the permittee and shall be kept available
for inspection by any City or State law enforcement official who
shall demand to see same.
L
C. If the permit be refused, or if the applicant notifies
the Oil and Gas Inspector in writing that he does not elect to
accept the permit as tendered and wishes to withdraw his appli-
cation, or if the bonds of the appliant be not approved, then
upon the happening of any of said events the cash fee filed with
the application shall be refunded to the applicant, except that
there shall be retained therefrom by the City the sum of Two
Hundred Dollars ($200.00) as a processing fee.
2.060 Permittee's Insurance .and Bond. In the event a
permit shall be issued by the Oil and Gas Inspector, no actual
operations shall be commenced until the permittee shall file
with the City bonds and a certificate of insurance as follows:
A. A bond in the principal sum of at least Twenty-five
Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). Said bond shall be executed by a
reliable insurance company authorized to do business in the
State, as surety, and with the applicant as principal, running
to the City for the benefit of the City and all persons
concerned, conditioned that the permittee will comply with the
terms and conditions of this Chapter in the operation of the
GWA 1-13-82
IV-9
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well for either natural or artificial production, injection or
disposal. Said bond shall become effective on or before the
date the same is filed with the City and remain in force and
effect for at least twelve (12) months subsequent to the
expiration of the permit term, and in addition the bond will be
conditioned that the permittee will promptly pay fines,
penalties and other assessments imposed upon the permittee by
reason of his breach of any of the terms, provisions and
conditions of this Chapter, and that the permittee will promptly
restore the streets, sidewalks and other public property of the
City which may be disturbed or damaged in permittee's
operations, to their former condition; and that the permittee
will promptly clear all premises of all litter, trash, waste,
and other substances, and will, after abandonment, grade, level
and restore said property to the same surface condition, as
practicable as is possible, as existed prior to commencing
operations; and f.urther that the permittee shall indemnify and
hold harmless, the City from any and all liability attributable
to granting the permit.
If, after the completion of a producing well, permittee has
complied- with all of the provisions of this Chapter, such as
removing derrick and clearing the premises, he may apply to the
Oil and Gas Inspector to have said bond reduced to a sum of not
less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,00,0.00) for the remainder of
the time said well produces without reworking. During reworking
operations the amount of the bond shall be increased to the
original amount..
B. In addition to the bond required in paragraph A. of;
this section, the permittee shall obtain a bond in the principal
sum of at. least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) Said bond
shall be executed by a reliable insure.r licensed to do business
in the State, as surety, and with applicant as principal, all
persons concerned, conditioned that the permittee will comply
with every applicable Federal and State law, rule, regulation,
standard or directive relating to the maintenance of the safe
and beneficial physical, chemical and biological properties of
any natural waters of the City; that the permittee shall obtain
IV"10 GWA 1-13-82
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the necessary permits from the City and State with regard to any
operations which have the potential of rendering such waters
harmful or detrimental or injurious to the public health, safety
and welfare; that the permittee shall bear all the costs
necessary and incidental to the correction of any pollution to
said waters caused by the permittee or permittee's agents,
servants, employees, subcontractors or independent contractors;
that the permittee shall pay all fines, penalties, assessments
or judgment resulting directly or incidentally from the
permittee's activities and which result in pollution of City
waters; that the permittee shall indemnify and hold harmless the
City from any and all liability resulting from the pollution of
City waters.
C. In addition to the bonds required in paragraphs A. and B.
of this section, the permittee shall carry a policy or policies
of standard comprehensive public liability insurance, including
contractual liability covering bodily injuries and property
damage, naming the permittee and the City, issued by an insurer
authorized to do business within the State, said policy or
policies in the aggregate shall provide for the following
minimum coverage:
(1) Bodily injuries, One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000.00) per person; Three Hundred Thousand Dollars
($300,000.00) per accident.
(2) Property damage, Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
($200,000.00).
Permittee shall file with the City certificates of said
insurance as above stated, and shall obtain the written approval
thereof of the Oil and Gas Inspector who shall act thereon
promptly after the date of such filing.
GWA 1-13-82
iv -11
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Said insurance policy or policies shall not be cancelled
without written notice to the Oil and Gas Inspector at least ten
(10) days prior to the effective date of such cancellation. In
fltn r>f> r» M h c a i r^ poli^v r» r pn I 1 ' 1 o e» nro nan"o11
-------
(1) A block map of the well site, showing all equipment to
be used thereat, location of pipelines, access road, and
distances from the well to any and all fences, public
roadways, and buildings within a radius of three hundred
thirty (330) feet;
(2) A block map of the project, showing the location of;
(a) all water supply wells within a 1/4 mile radius of
each injection or disposal well; (b) all public water
supply wells, disposal wells, injection wells, producing
wells and plugged and abandoned wells within the project
area and those sections immediately adjacent; (c) all
conduits, and; (d) tank battery, pumping station and
appurtenant equipment.
(3) All wells within the project area and those sections
immediately adjacent shall be indicated by status (e.g.,
plugged and abandoned, injection, salt water, oil,
etc.), and show the following additional information;
(a) Footage location (surface casing)
(b) Derrick floor and ground level elevation;
(c) Drilled total depth;
(d) Packer body total depth;
(e) Size, depth and quality of surface and production
casing, including zones from which casing has
been removed;
(f) Location of all plugs, packers, cement plugs,
tubing anchors, etc., with the well bore;
(g) D^pth and nature of all cement squeeze jobs;
(h) Formation name and depth of all open perforations
in a producing open hole;
(i) Volume and type of cement used on surface and
production strings;
(j) Top of cement.
GWA 1-13-82
IV-13
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(4) One copy of all electric, mechanical, sample and
driller's logs, if available;
(5) Fee and operation name for each well;
(6) One copy of all cement bond logs and production logs;
(7) One copy of all work performed on the well;
(8) Copies of all information supplied to the Corporation
Commission, and said.Commission's approval of the
project;
C. Upon the completion of the application required
hereunder, the Oil and Gas Inspector shall have thirty (30)
business days to review same and make a recommendation of
approval or disapproval to the Mayor and City Council.
D. Prior to placing any enhanced recovery or substance
disposal well into service, a permit to operate such well shall
be obtained from the Oil and Gas Inspector. Every application
for a permit to operate such well shall contain the following
information:
(1) Depth to static water level (hydrostatic head).
Such data shall be obtained by means of a method
approved by the Oil and Gas Inspector. Such data shall
be obtained not less that forty-eight (48) hours after
openings have been made through the casing into the
injection disposal zone or zones.
(2) Based on the static water level identified in the previous
paragraph, maximum operating pressures and rates of
injection shall be established and maintained so as to
prevent the hydraulic pressure level at a radius of ten
(10) feet from the injection or disposal wells from rising
above the base elevation of treatable water. Such maximum
operating pressures and injection rates shall be noted on
the permit. No injection or
GWA 1-13-82
-------
disposal well will be permitted to operate if the well's zone of
influence will exceed the above referenced limits.
E. A fee in the sum of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00)
shall be submitted along with every application for a permit to
operate an injection or substance disposal well.
F. Copies of Corporation Commission Form No. 1015,
indicating successful pressure testing of each injection well at
a pressure greater than the maximum proposed for the project, or
if no such Form No. 1020 has been filed and approved, then
sufficient evidence of the successful pressure testing of each
injection well shall be filed with the Oil and Gas Inspector.
G. Every such injection or disposal well shall be
constructed so as to seal the injection zone from the upper
portion of the casing. The annulus between the injection tubing
and the casing shall be filled with a noncorrosive fluid, then
sealed and a one-fourth (1/4) inch female fitting with cut off
valve shall be attached so that the pressure in the annulus may
be measured by the oil and gas inspector by attaching a guage
having a one-fourth (1/4) inch male fitting. A pressure shall be
maintained in the annulus sufficient to monitor the fluids in
the annulus. Any significant deviation from the established
pressure shall be cause to shut down the well, and may result in
cancellation of the operating permit, until such time as the
established pressure can once again be maintained.
H. Injection lines shall be buried in a trench of a depth
no less than four (4) feet, and shall be pressure tested
(static) annually at a minimum of 150% of the pressure normally
encountered at the injection pump discharge for a period of
hours to be fixed by the Oil and Gas Inspector. Said Oil and
GWA 1-13-82
IV-15
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gas Inspector shall be notified five (5) days in advance of such
test and may supervise same. Test results shall be filed with
the City upon completion.
I. Domestic and public water supply wells located within a
radius of one-quarter (1/4) mile of any enhanced recovery or
disposal well shall be tested prior to beginning injection or
disposal and thereafter semi-annually for the presence of
deleterious substances, such as chlorides, sulphates and
dissolved solids. Such testing is the responsibility of the
permittee and at permittee's expense, to be conducted by a
person approved by the Oil and Gas Inspector. Said Oil and Gas
Inspector shall be notified five (5) days in advance of such
testing and may be present therefore. Test results shall be
filed with the City upon completion.
2.090 An'njial Fee ££ Operate. An annual inspection fee is
hereby levied upon each well operated or maintained under a
permit issued by the City; such fee shall be in the amount of
Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), payable to the City on or
before the annual anniversary date of the issuance of any permit
under this ordinance. No permit for any well shall be
considered valid for any year for which the annual fee has not
been paid. Failure to pay any required permit fee within thirty
(30) days of a delinquent notice sent to the latest address
provided by the permittee will result in cancellation of said
permit.
2.100 Disposal ££ Salt Water.
A. Every permittee under this Chapter shall be responsible
for the safe disposal of salt water or other deleterious sub-
stances which he may bring to the surface of the earth and shall
GWA 1-13-82
IV-16
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provide a plan for sucrh disposal as requited in 2.040 A. (6).
Such disposal shall not result in pollution of the waters of the
City and shall not result in any other environmental hazard, and
shall incorporate the best available techniques and equipment.
B. In the event of any leakage or spillage of any pollutant
or deleterious substance, whatever the cause thereof, the
permittee shall cause the Oil and Gas Inspector to be notified
thereof promptly. If, in the judgment of the Oil and Gas
Inspector, such leakage or spillage represents a potential
environmental hazard, he may issue whatever corrective orders he
deems appropriate, and additionally may require the appropriate
testing of the surface and subsurface for pollutant incursion,
the cost of such test or tests to be borne by the permittee.
C. No person shall dispose of saltwater or other deleterious
substance in any lined or unlined earthen pit within the city
limits.
D. No person shall inject any saltwater or other deleterious
substance into the annulus between the inside of the surface
casing string and the next inside casing string, except when the
bottom of the properly cemented surface casing extends 200' or
more through or into a continuous impermeable clay barrier below
the base of treatable water.
2.110 Compliancy with Applicable La^s. No person shall
drill an original well or re-enter an abandoned well for any
purpose, or permit to exist any well, structure, equipment,
pipeline, machinery, tank or other appurtenance, in violation of
any of the provisions of this ordinance or other City ordinances
as may be applicable, or the laws, rules, regulations, operative
standards or directives of the State.
GWA 1-13-82
IV- 17
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2.120 Surface Casing.
A. i. Surface casing shall be set a minimum of two hundred
feet below the deepest encounter of treatable water found in
eight (8) sections adjacent to the section in which the well is
located. Logs which identify the base of treatable water,
shall be run in the surface hole before the surface pipe is set.
A copy of such logs shall be filed with the Oil and Gas
Inspector, or; ii. surface casing may be set without the above
required logging, provided the applicant can demonstrate to the
satisf action of the Oil and Gas Inspector that the bottom of the
surface casing will extend through or into at least 200' of
continuous impermeable clay barrier below the base of treatable
water, is properly cemented and cement bond logs run with the
qqality of the cement bond approved by the Oil and Gas
Inspector. Surface pipe shall have a centralizer on the shoe
joint, and centralizers within fifty (50) feet of the shoe
joint, and centralizer no more than two hundred (200) feet apart
above the second centralizer.
B. Surface pipe shall be cemented by attempting to circu-
late good cement to surface by normal displacement practices.
If cement cannot be circulated to surface due to washed out hole
or lost circulation, the existing cement shall not be over-
displaced and a plug shall be left in the bottom of the casing
string to be drilled out once the surface is set. The remaining
open hole behind the surface pipe shall be cemented by running a
tubing string between the conductor string and the surface pipe
until the top of the cement is tagged. The remaining uncement-
ed annular space will then be cemented until good cement is
circulated to surface. No further drilling shall be
accomplished until the cement has set for at least twenty-four
GWA 1-13-82
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(24) hours, or in the alternative, until samples of the cement
have passed independent laboratory tests satisfactory to the Oil
and Gas Inspector.
C. Where an existing well is to be used as an injection or
disposal site, the existing casing and cement shall be of such
integrity and depth as to adequately and safely isolate fresh
water producing zones from the seepage or bleeding of injection
fluids or disposants. Where additional protective operations
are undertaken to comply with his paragraph, the Oil and Gas
Inspector shall be notified thereof sufficiently in advance in
order for him to be present for such operations.
2.140 Ab.aJld.flJlfid, and PliiaaJLna. Whenever any well is
abandoned it shall be the obligation of the permittee and the
operator of the well to set a two hundred (200) foot cement plug
in the bottom of the surface casing, with the bottom of the plug
one hundred (100) feet below the surface casing section; and to
set a fifty (50) foot cement plug in the top of the surface
casing. No surface or conductor string of casing may be pulled
or removed from a well. During .initial abandonment operations
it will be the obligation of the permittee and operator to flood
the well with mud-laden fluid weighing not less than nine (9)
pounds per gallon, and to circulate this mud until stabilized,
and the well shall be kept filled to the top with mud-laden
fluid of the weight herein specified, at all times; mud-laden
fluid of the above specifications will be left in the well bore
below and between cement plugs. Any additional provisions or
precautionary measures prescribed by the State or the
Corporation Commission of the State in connection with the
abandonment and plugging of a well shall be complied with by the
permittee.
GWA 1-13-82
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2.160 Hfill Location. No permit shall be issued for the
drilling of an original well or the re-entry of an abandoned
well at any location which is nearer than two hundred (200) feet
of any permanent residence or commercial building, or which is
closer than three hundred (300) feet to a producing fresh water
wel 1.
2.170 Fences. Any person who completes any well as a
producer shall have the obligation to enclose said well,
together with its surface facilities, by a fence sufficiently
high and properly built so as to ordinarily keep persons and
animals out of the enclosure with all gates thereto to be kept
locked when the permittee or his employees are not within the
enclosure. Provided, that in non-platted areas the Oil and Gas
Inspector, at his discretion, .may waive the requirement of any
fence or may designate the type of fence to be erected. Fences
must be kept locked at all times workers of permittee are not
present; a duplicate set of keys to said lock shall be filed
with the Oil and Gas Inspector.
2.180 Noise .and Other Nuisances. All oil operations,
drilling and production operations shall be conducted in such a
manner as to eliminate, as far as practicable, dust, noise,
vibration or noxious odors, and shall be in accordance with the
best accepted practices incident to exploration for, drilling
for and production of oil, gas and other hydrocarbon
substances. Proven technological improvements in exploration,
drilling and production methods shall be adopted as they become,
from time to time, available, if capable of reducing factors of
nuisance and annoyance.
2.190 Facilities. All lease equipment shall be painted and
maintained in a good state of appearance, and shall have posted
GWA 1-13-82
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in a prominent place a metal sign no less than two (2) feet
square in area upon which the following information shall be
conspicuous: Permittee's name; lease name; location of the
drill site by reference to the United States survey; identifying
number of the permit issued by the City.
2.200 Storage Tanks and Separators.
A. Crude oil storage tanks shall not be constructed,
operated or used except to the extent of two (2) steel tanks for
oil storage, not exceeding five hundred (500) barrels capacity
each and so constructed and maintained as to be vapor tight.
Provided, that additional tankage may be approved by the Oil and
Gas Inspector.
B. A permittee may use, construct and operate a steel
conventional separator and such other steel tanks and appurten-
ances as are necessary for treating oil with each of such facil-
ities to be so constructed and maintained as to be vapor tight.
Each oil, gas separator shall be equipped with both a regulation
pressure-relief safety valve and a bursting head.
2.210 £JJL£ Prevention. Adequate fire fighting apparatus
and supplies approved by the City Fire Department shall be
maintained on the drilling site at all times during drilling and
production operations. All machinery, equipment and installa-
tions on all drilling sites within the City limits shall conform
with such requirements as may from time to time be issued by the
Fire Department.
2.220 JliLs. Steel mud or circulating pits shall be used.
Such pits and contents shall be removed from the premises and
the drilling site within fifteen (15) days after completion of
GWA 1-13-82
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the well. Earthen pits will be allowed only as temporary
emergency pits and/or as catch basins. Catch basin pits shall
be used only for the purpose of catching any deleterious
substance runoff and shall be no greater than 320 cubic feet.
Such catch basin will be equipped with a liquid level activated
pump designed to keep fluids pumped out of such catch basin pit.
All such earthen pits must be lined and approved in writing by
the Oil and Gas Inspector. Emergency pits shall be emptied as
soon as the emergency is over and all such pits shall be emptied
and then leveled within fifteen (15) days after completion of
the well.
2.225 Retaining ftaJULs. An earthen retaining wall of
adequate size for the terrain involved will be constructed on
the low side of the well site in the event the well site is
located on sloping or unlevel ground. The top of the retaining
wall shall be at least level with the top of the base of the
Christmas Tree or other wellhead connections on any completed
well, or at least level with the ground at the point where
surface casing is set in the well when drilling.
An earthen diversion wall of adequate size for the terrain
involved shall be constructed on the high side of the wall site
in the event the well site is located on sloping or unlevel
ground. The diversion wall will be of sufficient height and
strength so as to divert runoff waters around the well site.
2.230 Motive .£££££. Motive power for all well pumping
equipment shall be electricity unless otherwise approved by the
Oil and Gas Inspector.
2.240 Derrick and &ig.. It shall be unlawful and an offense
for any person to use or operate in connection" with the
GWA 1-13-82
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drilling, re-entry or reworking of any well within the City, any
wooden derrick or any steam-powered rig, and all engines shall
be equipped with adequate mufflers approved by the Oil and Gas
Inspector. Permitting any drilling rig or derrick to remain on
the premises or drilling site for a period of longer than sixty
(60) days after completion or abandonment of a well is hereby
prohibited.
2.260 Drilling Operations - Equipment. All drilling, re-
entry and operations at any well performed under this ordinance
shall be conducted in accordance with the best practices of the
reasonably prudent operator. All casing, valves, and blowout
preventers, drilling fluid, tubing, bradenhead, Christmas tree
and well head connections shall be of a type and quality
consistent with the best practices of such reasonably prudent
operator. Setting and cementing casing and running drill stem
tests shall be performed in a manner and at a time consistent
with the best practices of such reasonably prudent operator.
Any permittee under this ordinance shall observe and follow the
recommendations or regulations of the American Petroleum
Institute and the Corporation Commission, except in those
instances that are specifically addressed by this ordinance. A
copy of all logs associated with the surface casing shall be
filed with the Oil and Gas Inspector.
2.265 Moving .oj; Drilling ILLS. It shall be unlawful and an
offense for any person to move or cause to be moved the drilling
rig from a well until the hole has been cased or properly
plugged unless written permission to do so is obtained from the
Oil and Gas Inspector.
2.270 Streets and. Alleys. No well shall be drilled, and no
permit shall be issued for any well to be drilled at any
GWA 1-13-82
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location which is within any of the streets or alleys of the
City; and no street or alley shall be blocked or encumbered or
closed in any drilling or production operation except with the
written approval of the Oil and Gas Inspector, and then only
temporarily.
2.280 Flaring Q± Gas. All produced gas shall either be
sold or flared with the flaring procedures being approved by the
Oil and Gas Inspector and the Fire Marshal.
2.290 Fracture and Acidizing. In the completion of oil and
gas, injection, disposal or service well,, where acidizing or
fracturing processes are used, no oil, gas or other deleterious
«\
substances or pollutants shall be permitted to pollute any
surface or subsurface fresh waters.
2.300 Swabbing and Bailing. In swabbing, bailing or
purging a well, all deleterious substances removed from the bore
hole shall be placed in appropriate tanks and no substances
ah all be permitted to pollute any surface or subsurface fresh
waters.
2.310 Ruptupe, in Surface Casing. In the event a rupture,
break or opening occurs in the surface or production casing, the
permittee or the operator or drilling contractor shall take
immediate acton to repair it, and shall report, the incident to
the Oil and Gas Inspector promptly.
2.320 Depositing OJJ. Products. No person shall deposit,
drain or divert into or upon any public highway, street or
alley, drainage ditch, storm drain, sewer, gutter, paving,
creek, river, lake or lagoon, any oil or oily liquid with petro-
leum content or any mud, rotary mud, sand, water or salt water,
GWA 1-13-82
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or in any manner permit by seepage, overflow, deliberate release
or otherwise, any of such substances to escape from any property
owned, leased or controlled by such person and flow or be
carried into or upon any public highway, street or alley,
drainage ditch, storm drain, sewer, gutter, paving, creek,
river, lake or lagoon, within the City.
2.330 Safety Precautions. Persons drilling, operating or
maintaining any well shall use all necessary care and take all
precautions which shall be reasonably necessary under the
circumstances to protect the public. The provisions of this
Chapter shall be deemed to be the minimum requirements for the
preservation of the public health, safety and welfare, and
compliance with the terms hereof shall not be deemed to relieve
any persons of any additional duty imposed by law.
2.350 UflJLSJ: £ojc HUjiS. In the event a fresh water supply
well is drilled to provide water for drilling muds, upon the
completion of operations for which such well is required, such
well shall be plugged by cementing top to bottom, after notice
of intention to so plug is provided the Oil and Gas Inspector,
who may supervise the operation.
2.360 Oil and fias Inspector.
A. The City Manager shall employ a qualified person,
persons, firm or corporation as an Oil and Gas Inspector, whose
duty it shall be to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
B. The Oil and Gas Inspector shall have the authority to
issue such orders or directives as are required to carry out the
intent and purpose of this Chapter and its particular
GWA 1-13-82
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provisions. Failure to abide by any such order or directive
shall be a violation of this Chapter.
C. The Oil and Gas Inspector shall have the authority to go
upon and inspect any premises covered by the terms of this
Chapter to ascertain whether this Chapter and the applicable
laws, rules, regulations, standards or directives of the State
are being complied with. -Failure to permit access to the Oil
and Gas Inspector shall be deemed a violation of this Chapter.
D. The Oil and Gas Inspector shall have the authority to
request and receive any records, specified in this ordinance
relating to the status or condition of any well or project ox
the appurtenances thereof within the City. Failure to provide
any such requested material shall be deemed a violation of this
Chapter.
2.370 Service CQmpapj.es. Upon request of the Oil and Gas
Inspector, service companies or other persons shall furnish and
file reports and records showing perforating, hydraulic
fracturing, cementing, shooting, chemical treatment and all
other service operations on any site covered by this Chapter.
Such furnished material shall remain confidential where such
confidentiality is usually granted by the State. Failure to
provide any such requested material shall be deemed a violation
of this Chapter.
2.380 Accumulation Q£ Vapor. The Oil and Gas Inspector
shall have the authority to require the immediate shutting in or
closing of any well if he finds that there exists, within a one
hundred (100) foot radius of any well, any gas or gasoline vapor
in a quantity sufficient to constitute, in his judgment, or in
GWA 1-13-82
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the judgment of the City Fire Marshal, a fire hazard. The well
shall remain shut or closed in until the hazard and its cause
are removed.
2.390 Inspection Q£ Pressure Ujie_§. The Oil and Gas
Inspector shall inspect all pressure lines in use at any well or
at any project to assure that tubing, fittings, equipment or
connections are reasonably tight, safe and free from Ieaks0
2.400 Ingress and Egress. Lease roads shall be maintained
in such a manner as to safely and comfortably allow for ingress
and egress of City or State personnel traveling in a common
passenger motor vehicle.
2.410 Order to £e_aSfi Operations.
A. If the Oil and Gas Inspector finds that, in his judgment,
a hazard to life or natural resources exists, he shall order
immediate rectification of the cause. If the permittee takes no
immediate measure to reduce the hazard, or if the situation be
so perilous as to constitute an imminent threat to safety, then
in either of these events he may order the prompt cessation of
activity, and if necessary, the clearance of the premises.
B. The Oil and Gas Inspector shall apply to the City
Manager for a hearing upon such order, which hearing shall be
held not longer than twenty-four (24) hours after the issuance
of said order by the Oil and Gas Inspector. The City Manager
shall determine if proper cause existed, and, if not, shall
order the permittee's activity to resume without delay. If the
City Manager determines that proper cause did not exist for the
order to cease activity to issue, then he shall make whatever
ruling is proper to assure rectification of the cause of the
GWA 1-13-82
IV-27
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peril. Such ruling and compliance with it by the permittee
shall not be construed to absolve the permittee of any liability
for any violation of this Chapter or for any damage or injury
caused thereby.
2.420 Appeals. Any permittee aggrieved by any order,
directive or ruling issued by the Oil and Gas Inspector, or by
any ruling by the City Manager may appeal the same to the. City
Council which shall hear the matter at its next scheduled
meeting. The lodging of such appeal shall not stay the
enforcement of any of the provisions of this Chapter. The
Council, upon hearing the matter, may issue whatever ruling or
order is appropriate, provided that such ruling or order be in-
keeping with the spirit and purpose of this Chapter.
2.425 City Council Review Q£ Permit Recommendations. Upon
the consideration of any application for a permit required by
the terms of this ordinance, the Oil and Gas Inspector shall
recommend approval or disapproval thereof to the Mayor and City
Council, who shall review the matter at a regularly-scheduled
meeting, and thereupon uphold or reverse the recommendation with
or without the addition of any conditions thereto.
2.430 Conduits on Streets and Alleys.
A. No permittee shall make any excavations or construct any
lines for the conveyance of fuel, water or minerals, on, under
or through the streets and alleys of the City without first
having obtained a permit therefor upon application to the
Department of Public Works.
B. The Director of Public Works shall prescribe the forms to
be used for such application and the information to accompany
it.
GWA 1-13-82
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C. Each application for a permit under this Section shall
be accompanied by a non-refundable filing fee in the amount of
Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00).
D. The Director of Public Works shall, within twenty (20)
days of receipt of the properly executed application, either
grant or deny the request.
E. The granting of any such permit shall not be construed
to be the granting of a franchise.
2.440 Annual Fee for Conduits.
A. The permittee under 2.430 of this Chapter shall pay to
the City an annual renewal and inspection fee being the total of
One Dollar ($1.00) per rod of conduit multiplied by the number
of rods in the conduit for which the permit was issued.
B. The Director of Public Works shall appoint a
representative who shall inspect such conduits to assure the
public safety. No permit issued under 2.430 of this Chapter
shall be renewed if the conduit or any part thereof covered by
such permit is in an unsafe condition.
2.450 Applicability to Existing Conditions.
A. This Chapter shall apply to any person drilling an
original well, re-entering an abandoned well, conducting natural
or artificial production projects or operations, or maintaining
a disposal well within the City of
on the (date) and every such person shall
have no longer than ninety (90) days to come into compliance
with this Chapter. Provided that:
GWA 1-13-82
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(1) No initial permit fees shall be charged such person as
would otherwise apply;
(2) No penalties shall be sought against any activity
violative of this Chapter where such activity pre-
existed the adoption of this Chapter and was otherwise
in compliance with the applicable State law, rules,
regulations, standards or directives.
2.455 IniiZJijnjal ££jnj3JLa.i.n.Ls.. If, upon information or
inspection, it is found that a permittee is violating any
portion of this chapter or causing damage or pollution to any
surface or underground treatable water the Oil and Gas Inspector
shall file a written administrative complaint with the City
Manager, a copy of which shall be delivered or mailed to the
permittee or his agent. If upon subsequent inspection, it is
determined that the permittee has taken the corrective actions
specified, the complaint may be dismissed; otherwise, formal
application will be made to the City Council for an order
revoking the permit, and for any other appropriate remedy;
pending the outcome of the final determination of the City
Council on the formal application, the Oil and Gas Inspector
shall, after an onsite inspection, have the authority to shut
down those operations where conditions appear obvious that
surface or underground pollution is occurring.
2.460 Penalties. It shall be unlawful and an offense for
any person to violate or neglect to comply with any provisions
hereof irrespective of whether or not the verbiage of each
section hereof contains the specific language that such
violation or neglect is unlawful and is an offense. Any person
who shall violate any of the provisions of this Chapter, or any
of the provisions of a drilling and operating permit issued
pursuant hereto, or any condition of the bond filed by the
permittee pursuant to this Chapter, or who shall neglect to
comply with the terms hereof, shall be fined in a sum not more
than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), and the violation of each
separate provision of this Chapter, and of said permit, and of
said bond, shall be considered a separate offense, and each
day's violation of each separate provision thereof shall be
-------
considered a separate offense. In addition to the foregoing
penalties, it is further provided that the City Council at any
regular or special sessions or meeting thereof, may, provided
ten (10) days notice has been given to the permittee that
revocation is to be considered at such meeting, revoke or
suspend any permit issued under this Chapter and under which
drilling or producing operations are being conducted in the
event the permittee thereof has violated any provision of said
permit, said bond, of this Chapter. In the event the permit be
revoked, the permittee may make application to the Oil and Gas
Inspector for re-issuance of such permit, and the action of the
City of thereon shall be final. Any continuing
offense shall be considered a public nuisance, the remedies for
which under law shall be in addition to those hereinbefore
enumerated.
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Appendix V
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED REGULATION
OF URANIUM IN DRINKING WATER ON MUNICIPAL WATER -
AND WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN CENTRAL .OKLAHOMA
Gregory L. Wallace, Hydrogeologist
Garber-Wellington Association
Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
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Abstract
Recognizing a vital need for a development of a procedure to
be utilized locally and nationally, the local elected
officials of the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments
(AGOG) developed and presented a research program to the
Oklahoma Congressional delegation in Washington. This
proposal resulted in the authorization and partial funding of
a four year comprehensive project to design, develop and
implement a plan for the protection and management of the
nation's ground water resources. In order to achieve these
objectives, ACOG created the Garber-Wellington Association.
This Association consists of the Garber-Wellington Policy
Committee and the Garber-Wellington Technical Committee.
These committees have a steering committee and direct the
development of its project and make the management decisions
based on conclusions drawn from continuing research. Never
before has a research project of this magnitude, involving
the beneficiaries and local elected officials, been
accomplished.
Research being conducted in central Oklahoma on behalf of the
Garber-Wellington Association has documented some potential
problems related to uranium in municipal water supplies. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of
reviewing possible promulgation of regulations limiting
uranium content in drinking water. This authority is granted
under Public Law 93-523, the Safe Drinking Water Act, which
established the National Interim Primary Drinking Water
Regulations which took effect in 1977. These regulations set
maximum contaminant levels for several constituents including
radionuclides. Currently, 300,000 central Oklahomans are
served by several water systems which utilize ground water
from the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. The Garber-Wellington is
a Permian deltaic sandstone with alternating layers of shale
which underlies approximately 9,200 square miles in central
Oklahoma.
Research to date has been involved with data collection,
ground water quality monitoring, design and implementation of
a municipal records keeping system and innovative new
techniques in ground water monitoring methodologies. Data
accumulated is being utilized for aquifer modeling as a
guideline for protection and management of the area's ground
water resources with protocol documented so that the benefits
of the project can be utilized nationwide. During the first
year of the Garber-Wellington Research Study, over 200
municipal wells have been incorporated into a monitoring
program with historic information documented on each well.
During subsequent phases of the project, it was discovered
that 50% of the 200 municipal wells sampled contain amounts
of naturally occuring uranium, 238 in quantities exceeding
v-l
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the "proposed" EPA drinking water standard limit of 10 pico
curies per liter (pc/1).
Alternative sources of potable water are not available in
this and other similar regions. If the proposed limit is
enforced, the economic effects could financially cripple this
area, and a good portion of the Southwestern United States,
due to the common occurance of Permian deltaic environments.
Current investigations are underway to document the financial
impact of treating the ground water to remove the uranium by
conventional methods. The associated costs, while
staggering, are insignificant when compared to the
requirements necessary for disposal of the uranium after
treatment due to the classification of the residue as low
level radio-active waste.
If the uranium is not removed prior to water distribution,
the burden of treatment will lie within the confines of the
wastewater treatment facility. The presence of the uranium
in the wastewater magnifies already existing problems with
economic disposal of municipal sludge through conventional
techniques.
The most practical solution appears to lie in proper
monitoring of the network of water wells and special
construction techniques to prevent tapping zones of the
aquifer which contain high concentrations of uranium.
Other areas of the nation should also be examined, since
uranium concentrations above the 10 pc/1 level should be
quite common in Permian deltaic environments throughout the
southwest.
If the proposed limit of 10 pc/1 of uranium is adopted and
strictly enforced, billions of dollars and years of study
will be required to ascertain the cause, effect and possible
solutions to dealing with the problem.
The study suggests appropriate management of well placement
and re-evaluation of suggested uranium limits as the most
appropriate responses to present concern over uranium in the
country's drinking water.
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Introduction -...,.-...
Ground water resources provide as much as half the nation's
vital domestic water supply and are a major factor in the
nation's economy. That fact holds true in the greater
Oklahoma City area where almost one-third of the state's
population resides, and where municipal ground water produc-
tion averages 40 million gallons daily to supply some 300,000
residents with water. Of a total of 46 municipalities and
entities in the region, 12 have no municipal systems, 24
depend solely on ground water and 10 utilize surface water
with some conjunctive use of surface and ground water. The
towns without municipal systems rely on individual wells for
domestic and commercial supply (Canter, et. al. 1979).
There are more than 800 industrial and agricultural wells, in
addition to the 250 plus municipal water wells tapping the
deep major aquifer, the Garber-Wellington formation. Addi-
tional development in the area and the continuing periodic
drouths are causing rapid increases in that number.
Surface water sources play a vital role in supplying this
region with water, however, that resource alone could not
begin to adequately service the 900,000 plus population of
the metropolitan area. Therefore, the protection, develop-
ment and utilization of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer is
essential for assuring a continued water supply for the
public, industry, agriculture and one of the nation's major
air force bases.
General Geologic Setting
Permian strata in central Oklahoma were deposited in a com-
plex series of sublittoral environments ranging from alluvial
deltaic fans to tidal flat evaporites.
The Garber-Wellington Aquifer consists of a complex
multistoried deltaic series of alternating shales and sand-
stones commonly referred to as "red beds."
The Anadarko Basin, a large asymmetrical geosyncline west of
the Neimeha Ridge (Figure 1) was the major despositional
basin which received sediments throughout Pennsylvanian and
Permian time contributing to the delta's origin.
As a result of erosion of the Wichita and Arbuckle areas
during the Pennsylvanian and Permian periods, Precambrian and
Cambrian felsic igneous rocks were exposed and became sources
of significant quantities of feldspar in the sandstones and
conglomerates.
The Garber and Wellington formations contain lobes of deltaic
and interdeltaic sands with associated crossbedding at varied
angles. The sandstones are thickest in the Midwest City, Del
City and Tinker Air Force Base area and tend to pinch out
westward.
V-3
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Shelton (1979) described the area most comprehensively by
describing "units" of disconnected sandstone lenses with a
consistent stratigraphic interval. A considerable
differentiation in paleocurrent direction was observed and
the genetic; units were characterized as tidal creek (small
scale crossbedding) and stream deposits (those with medium
scale crossbedding).
The stream deposits showed a more consistent paleocurrent
direction and thus (Shelton) concluded that the source of
terrigenous classtics was from streams oriented toward the
south and east in the vicinity of the Quachitas (Shelton,
1979).
It has been theorized that these Precambrian feldspathoics
are quite possibly asource of uranium anomolies noted
throughout Oklahoma. (Al-Shaieb, et. al. 1977)
The Garber sandstone outcrops in a north-south trending bed
in eastern Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties with the exposed
bedrock formations becoming progressively younger as you move
westward. The overall strike of the formation is generally
to the north and the formations dip 30 to 35 feet per mile to
the west-southwest (Wood & Burton, 1968). (Plates 1 & 2)
Since the Garber-Wellington Aquifer also contains many
organic shales and is overlain by the seleniferous Hennessey
shale it is also possible that the shales -are the main source
of uranium in the aquifer. Due to the increased density of
feldspathoic elastics in the shales combined with the slow
movement of ground water through the aquacludes a
mobilization of uranium occurs. This theory seems to hold
true since those areas with the least amount of shale also
contain little or no uranium.
Research to Date
The Garber-Wellington Research Project is designed to develop
protocol for protection, development and management of the
nation's ground water supplies. In th-e process of fully
defining the aquifer, all existing information is being
assembled with bits and pieces coming from various state and
federal agencies as well as cities, towns, industries and
individuals. This effort, in conjunction with the
development and implementation of a well records-keeping and
water quantity and quality monitoring system, has revealed
some previously unrealized potential liabilities that exist
in this ground water supply.
Specifically, levels of chromium and selenium in excess of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's primary drinking
water limits exist in a significant number of wells
penetrating the aquifer. In addition to these two elements,
evidence exists that indicates much of the water produced
from the aquifer also contains high concentrations of
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AREA OF
INVESTIGATION
[~
! V- ; '
NORTHER lj"\ iS H E L F
." I* " l I p. . - « -
a !--.. ! .'
MARIETTA BASIN
ARDMORE BASIN
FIGURE I Major geologic provinces of Oklahoma
V-5
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uranium. This is a significant finding, since EPA is in the
process of promulgating primary regulations for uranium in
drinking 'water. At this point, EPA's suggested upper maximum
limit for uranium is 10 picocuries per liter, a limit that is
exceeded locally in some cases by a factor of 10 (OSDH,
1980).
Our research indicates that these naturally occur ing elements
exist in
-------
TABLE #1
GROUND WATER REPORT ON URANIUM, CHROMIUM AND SELENIUM
Entity Uranium Chromium Selenium
1. Choctaw * XX
2. Del City X
3. Edmond * * X
4. Harrah * X
5. Jones * X
6. Luther * X X
7. Midwest City X
8. Moore * X *
9. Nichols Hills * X
10. Noble *
11. Norman * *
12. Oklahoma City
13. Piedmont * *
14. Yukon * X
Others
15. Central State Hos. * * X
16. Coyle *
17. Deer Creek Water
Corp. * * *
18. Independent Water
Corp. * * X
19. Lexington Trmt.
Center *
20c Okla. Univ. * * X
21. Orlando *
22. Silverlake, Inc. * * *
X reported to have been detected but in compliance
* reported to have been sampled and above the U.S. EPA Limit
Entities not denoted with an (X) or (*) have not yet been sampled.
This Table was compiled using information from the OSDH and the
GWA sampling programs. It is important to understand that while
£0.m£ wells sampled are above the limits, all municipal water
systems are meeting the current water quality EPA standards.
V-7
-------
While research to date had not concluded the problem even
existedf project personnel at the EPA Robert S. Kerr
Environmental Research Laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma referenced
a report completed in 1978 by Union Carbide Corporation,
which appeared to show some similarities (Union Carbide NURE,
1978).
The NURE project was directed at sampling approximately 189
Garber-Wellington water wells in the Oklahoma City 1° by 2°
quadrangle. All the wells for the most part penetrated the
Garber-Wellington Aquifer and had been analyzed for uranium
among other constituents. A summary of the report (published
in Oklahoma Geology Notes, June 1981 by Bloch et.al.)
indicated that only a minute percentage of wells sampled
would exceed a uranium standard of 10 pc/1.
Further investigation on the part of the Garber-Wellington
Research Project revealed that of the 189 wells sampled, less
than 10% were greater than 300 feet deep, and the 19 which
exceeded the proposed uranium standard were all in that
group. Only 4 wells sampled were greater than 400 feet in
depth. Since all of the 250 municipal wells in the
metropolitan area are over 300 feet deep and are producing
from 500 to 900 feet, it was determined that futher
investigation was warranted.
Health Effects
The Garber-Wellington Association staff after contacting the
EPA Office of Drinking Wat-er., He.alth Effects. Branch in
Washington, D.C., received reports and documents confirming
that EPA will indeed attempt to promulgate a primary maximum
contaminant level (mcl) for uranium in drinking water during
1982.
Information to date from that office maintains that
"knowledge regarding the effects of doses, of ionizing
radiation requires data concerning the relationship between
dose and effect in humans." However, for moral reasons we
cannot deliberately expose humans to radiation on an
experimental basis. Thus, we have to depend on information
from experiments with animals or on epidemiological
information for humans exposed to ionizing radiation. There
are difficulties and problems with both of these approaches.
The effect of any insult to a human may not be the same as
that to animals and vice versa. (Radioactivity in Drinking
Water, July 1980). To date no epidemiological study has been
performed in central Oklahoma and the scientific basis of the
regulation of uranium is highly questionable. Table II
summarizes the potential risks to people in the United States
from various causes. Note that the potential for dying from
consuming water in excess of the uranium mcl is the same as
the risk of dying from an insect bite. It is apparent to
this author that a continued and indepth research effort to
V-8
-------
establish a figure based on sound scientific fact rather than
conjecture would be considerably more justified than forcing
economically unsound regulations on the already water short
southwest.
Table II Risks to people in the United States from various causes
DEATHS/MILLION
CAUSE PEOPLE EXPOSED (IN 1977)
All Cardiovascular Disease 4700
Cancer 1750
Major Cardiovascular Disease 880
Automobile 230
Home Accidents 150
Falls 65
Air Pollution from Fossil Fuel Power Plants 50
Fire/Burns 30
Drowning 30
Melanoma (Skin Cancer thought to be due to ultraviolet
Radiation from the sun) (15) 26
Poison 25
Cancer Deaths from Natural Radiation (100 mrem/yr) 20
Cancer Deaths Due to Medical X-Rays 16
Firearms 9
Air Travel 7
Electrocution 6
Cancer Deaths from Exposure to 5 mrem/yr 1
(EPA Standard for Drinking Water)
Animal & Insect Bites 1
Lightning 0.5
Tornados/Hurricanes 0.4
(From Cothern, 1981)
V -9
-------
Qther pqcurrences Nationally
"Uranium is present in trace or minor amounts in all ground
water. The solubility of many uranium compounds in water is
high enough to suggest that several parts per million (ppm)
could occur in solution. Actual amounts found generally vary
from 0.05 to 10.0 parts per billion" (Davis and De Wiest).
1.5 ppb is roughly equivicable to 10 pc/1 for uranium. It
appears that EPA feels strongly enough about its 10 pc/1 mcl
that it wishes to force a number of the potable g.round water
supplies nationwide to come up with alternative supplies or
treatment facilities. <
Continuing investigations in other areas of the country
continue to document the widespread national occurrence of
radionuclides in ground water, yet little or no information
has been disseminated documenting health risks.
Cartwright (1978) performed an extensive investigation of
municipal water supplies in Illinois and combined that with
soil analyses. "Analyses of water from municipal wells in
Illinois by the Illinois EPA showed that more than 300 wells
exceeded the upper limit of gross alpha (15 pc/1) radiation
in drinking water." The study went on to state that the
natural occurrence of uranium 238 was the obvious source and
that the nature of the geology indicated the problem was not
limited to just Illinois.
"Analyses of a limited number of rock samples indicated that
uranium and thorium1 concentrations were- highest in fi.ne
grained sediments in the aquifer systems; the highest concen-
tration was in shales that confine the aquifer" (Cartwright,
1978).
Several other areas of the United States, have already identi-
fied concentrations of uranium in ground water well above the
proposed 10 pc/1 mcl. Some cases in point are:
Research in Colorado by the Las Alamos Scientific Laboratory
documents ground water samples from wells in the Lamar NTMS
quadrangle are well above the proposed 10 pc/1 standard. "The
mean uranium content of well water samples is 19.42ppb; water
samples from 21 wells contain more than lOOppb uranium"
(Shannon, S.S.Jr., 1979).
The report concluded the source of uranium to be the Pierre
shale and associated underlying members.
Shelton, 1977 deduced through intensive investigations ,that
radioacative anomolies occur throughout southeastern Oklahoma
and are positively associated with feldpars and shales. The
highest concentration of uranium was from a well near Cement,
Oklahoma and contained 120ppb uranium.
As before, samples were associated with organic shales.
v_in
-------
Common occurences in the Colorado plateau are in the vicinity
of 15ppb, and 90ppb canon have boon reported in the Soviet
Union. A Canadian publication recently reported that more
than one third of the wells tested near Halifax, Nova Scotia
show high levels of uranium. Of 299 wells tested, 101 <§x-
ceeded 15 pc/1 (the Canadian standard for uranium).
In central Oklahoma approximately 50% of the 200 municipal
wells sampled showed that they could not meet the 10 pc/1
mcl. Even if the proposed mcl were raised to 50, there would
still be approximately 15% of wells still out of compliance.
How mixing of water could possibly be achieved in the
distribution system to maintain compliance has not yet been
determined. :
The main conclusion to be drawn from these examples is that
ground water moving through concentrated uranium rich sand-
stone or highly organic shales generally has more than 20ppb
and often as high as 200ppb uranium.
Alternatives
Radioactivity in drinking water (EPA, January 1981) lists the
following control techniques for radioactivity in ground
water:
1). "A new well may be drilled, and used by itself, or its
water may be blended with more radioactive water to
reduce the concentration."
2). "Bottled water may be used to replace water with high
radioactivity."
3). "The primary technological methods available for
reducing the concentrations of radioactivity are ion
exchange, lime softening and reverse osmosis."
Each of these shall be discussed in some detail but the first
thing to realize is that central Oklahoma currently has 22
separate water systems and all but 3 utilize only ground
water without; treatment.
The first alternative of drilling a new well assumes that you
can locate a source of lower uranium concentration in an area
you already JLQO.W. is well above the proposed limitl A
considerable amount of time and money could be easily
expended by haphazardly drilling wells without indepth
geologic investigations.
Two examples of specialized test hole drilling have currently
been researched, and will be difx:ussed later.
Some new innovative techniques are currently being examined
for determining how to locate areas of contaminated water and
examination of various layers within the aquifer for zones
containing lower concentrations of uranium.
v -11
-------
The first of these techniques is performed by running a
spectralog" in a pilot hole prior to expansion of the hole
into a production well. The spectralog1" is a technique which
has previously been utilized only in minerals exploration at
very great depths. Thus, some adaptations would be necessary
before full scale efficient utilization would be cost
effective in water well investigations.
Figure 2 is an example of an actual log run. While the
procedure gives an excellent analysis of the amount of potas-
sium, uranium and thorium contained in the formation, it is
almost impossible to deduce from the log what the uranium
content of the produced formation water will be.
The information from this research has shown a positive
correlation between the uranium content and the shale layers
within the formation.
While this particular log shows an average formation concen-
tration of uranium of 145 ppm of uranium, the actual forma-
tion water, sampled at a later date, contained 65 pc/1
uranium. Additional samples are scheduled for analysis to
track possible increases or decreases over prolonged usage.
At another test site, the suggested perforation intervals
were decreased to effectively limit the amount of water which
would be dewatered from the shale layers. This technique was
also ineffective in that no decrease in concentrations were
observed.
Current research is pursuing investigations regarding com-
puter mapping procedures for possible well spacings, based on
computer generated maps of extrapolated uranium concentra-
tions based on known data. (Figure 3)
This technique has not yet been field tested due to the
expense involved in drilling a series of test holes to docu-
ment actual concentrations.
Depending on future funds available for this type of re-
search, this alternative along with packer pump testing of
individual strata remain to be evaluated as possible solu-
tions to continued efficient ground water production.
The second! alternative suggested by EPA is too ridiculous to
even consider, since the cost of providing bottled water to
400,000 residents can't even be comprehended, much less
considered economically feasible.
The third alternative, ^rhich involves the treatment of the
water supplies, appears to be the only available alternative.
Since there are no additional surface water supplies which
can be developed in this area, non-treatment of our ground
water would all but eliminate effective use of ground water
in this region.
V -12
-------
FIGURE 2
V -13
-------
FIGURE 3
This map represents a computer generated contour map of
theorized uranium concentrations in one Township and Range,
given eight data points. Contours are in 15 pc/1 intervals,
KEY 0-15
15-30 +
30-45 0
45-60
60-75
0
7-*
....I
++++I
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+2 +++++++++++ 1+++++ I
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1 ..... ..... ...... ..... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-H-+++++++++-H-1
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+ ................ ++++++++++++0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000+
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i ...... +++++++++++++++++++oooooooooooooeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooooi
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i+++++++++++++++++++++++ooooooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooi
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loooooooooooocoooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooi
loooooooooooooooQoooooooooemaeeeeeeoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooQOOoi
leeeeei 9 eeeeeeeeeezo eeeeee©oi2 1 eeeeeeoooo2 2 00000000002 3 00000000002 40000 1
leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeooMMMieeeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooi
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ieeeeeeoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo3
seeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooi
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'6666000000000000000000000000000000+
O2 8666666666627 000000000026 00000000002 500001
1666666666666600000000000000000000000000001
66666666666660000000000000000000000000001
r i i ; i i i i i i . ( i i i i i i i
I i i ! i i i i i i i i i
1:11111111111
SYMAP
6666666666660000000000000000000000000001
6666666666666000000000000000000000000004
6666666666600000000000000000000000000I
66666666666000000000000000000000000001
'666666666600000000000000000000000001
3006666663 466600000003 500000000003600001
666666666660000000000000000000000000+
66000060660000000000000000000000000I
6666666666000000000000000000000000I
1 2- K 3 + 4 H 5 + 6 + 7-*
V-14
-------
The three methods given for treatment of uranium in drinking
water are the same as that prescribed for the removal of
radioactive contaminants in the "Manual of Treatment
Techniques for Meeting the Interim Primary Drinking Water
Regulations" (EPA, 1977). Of these three treatment pro*-
cesses "reverse osmisis is the most expensive process, al-
though it is the most suitable for automated plant operation
and use in small plants. Ion exchange, which is generally
used in a batch process, is estimated to be the least costly.
Lime softening has most frequently been the process of choice
for large treatment plants" (EPA, 1977).
The associated costs with such procedures assumed 50 pc/1
entering water and 80% removal efficiency. Figures 4 and 5
summarize the efficiency of current removal techniques. From
these 2 examples, it appears that no matter which alternative
is selected, capital costs for a plant capable of serving the
greater Oklahoma City area would run in the vicinity of 10
billion dollars. The resulting cost of treatment per
thousand gallons of water would approach 1 dollar as compared
to less than the .05 cents currently.
The cost of 19 separate treatment facilities would be astro-
nomical, since the well systems currently pump directly into
a distribution system and would require some type of a main
line installation to provide water to a central treatment
facility prior to distribution.
Assuming this could be accomplished, the cost of the treated
water would be prohibitively expensive for all industrial and
most residential customers.
The problem also remains regarding the safe disposal of low-
level uranium residue collected from the treatment facility.
If EPA feels that levels above 10 pc/1 are unsafe, certainly
a concentration collected from many sources by mandating
treatment would be well above the limit. This would then
involve special handling costs, safe disposal costs and
access to a disposal site, since none currently exist in
central Oklahoma.
Since it appears that the promulgation of a uranium standard
is also intended to apply to municipal dischargers, leaving
the water untreated also poses a problem for wastewater
treatment facilities. (See Federal Register Vol. 46, No. 6)
If the uranium standard is established only for dischargers
of effluent and not for public water supply, the end result
is similar, since the uranium ends up at municipal wastewater
treatment facilities.
Forcing such a procedure on an already water short area seems
counter-productive to current federal efforts to reduce the
costs associated with providing basic governmental services.
V -15
-------
10,000
o
o
o
I,OOO
o
u
< 100
Reverse Osmosis
Lime Softening
Ion Exchange
J I 1
j l I 1111II I II
mil
I I I II(I I I I I I III
0.01
0.1
I 10
PLANT CAPACITY, mgd
100
500
FIGURE 4 CAPITAL COST FOR WATER TREATMENT PLANTS
FOR 50pCi/l IN RAW WATER
8
CO
tn
O
o
o
-------
Acknowledgment
This research was funded through a grant from this
Environmental Protection Agency's Ground Water Research
Branch and the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research
Laboratory in Ada, Oklahoma. The author would like to thank
the following persons for their valuable information:
Geologist Jerry Thornhill
Professor Zuhair Al-Shaieb
Special thanks to:
Zach Taylor, Odell Morgan and Jane Sutter for
proofreading and review.
Ken Morris for the computer graphics.
Lynne Cox for drafting.
Carolyn White for typing the manuscript.
V-17
-------
Bibliography
ACOG 1975, Association of Central Oklahoma Governments,
Regional Water System Plan for Central Oklahoma; Phelps,
Spitz, Ammerman & Thomas, Inc., Oklahoma City.
Al-Shaieb, et. al. 1977, Evaluation of Uranium Potential in
Selected Pennsylvanian and Permian Units and Igneous
Rocks in Southwestern and Southern Oklahoma: Report for
Bendix Field Engineering Corporation Subcontract 76-024-
E. ,
Block, S., et. al., 1981, Uranium, Chromium and Selenium
Concentrations in Water from the Garber-Wellington
Aquifer Vol. 41, No. 3, Oklahoma Geology Notes, OGS,
Norman, Oklahoma.
i
Carr, J.E., & Marcher, M.V., 1977, A Preliminary Appraisal
of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, Southern Logan and
Northern Oklahoma Counties, Oklahoma: U.S. Geological
Survey Open Pile Report 77-278.
Carter, L., et. al., 1980, Effects of Radioactivity on Ground
Water Quality, National Center for Ground Water
Research, Norman, Oklahoma. Report 180-10.
Cartwright, K., et. al., 1978, Geologic Studies to Identify
the Source for High Levels of Radium and Barium in
Illinois Ground Water Supplies: Illinois University,
Water Resources Center, Urbana, Illinois.
Cothern, R., 1981, Radioactivity in Drinking Water, EPA
Criteria and Standards Division, Report f 57019-81-002.
Davis, S. and De Wiest, R., 1966, Hydrogeology, John Wiley
and Sons, Inc., New York, New York, Library Cong. 166-
14133.
Dresser Atlas, Inc., 1981, Analysis and Interpretation of
Spectralog Techniques for the Garber-Wellington
' Association.
Federal Register, Vol. 46 #6 "EPA Standards Criteria"
OSDH, 1980, Radioactivity in Oklahoma's Public Water Supplies
1977-80, Radiation Protection Division, Oklahoma State
Department of Health, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Shannon, S.S. Jr., 1979, Uranium Hydrogeochemical and Stream
Sediment Reconnaissance of the Lamar NTMS Quadrangle,
Colorado, Report #LA-7342-MS Dept. of Energy, Las Alamos
Scientific Lab., New Mexico.
V-18
-------
Shelton , J.W., et. al.r 1979, Evaluation of Uranium
Potential in Selected Pennsylvanian and Permian Units
and Igneous Rocks in Southwestern and Southern Oklahoma,
Report for Bendix Corporation, Subcontract 176-024.
Union Carbide Corporation, 1979, Hydrogeochemical and Stream
Sediment Reconnaissance Basic Data for Oklahoma City
NTMS Quadrangle, Oklahoma: National Uranium Resource
Evaluation Program Open File Report K/UR-107 DOE.
Wickersham, G., 1979, Ground Water Resources of the Southern
Part of the Garber-Wellington Ground Water Basin, in
Cleveland and Southern Oklahoma Counties and Parts of
Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma, Hydrologic Publication
#86 by Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
Wood, P.R., and Burton, L.C., 1968, Ground Water Resources
Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties. Circular #71 by the
Oklahoma Geological Survey, Norman, Oklahoma.
V-19
-------
GEOLOGIC TEA-HIRES
Dog Creek
Btaine Gypsum
Flowerpot Sh., Ss.
^ LSi'J River Alluvium
Terrace Sand,
Gravel, Loess
Hennessey Sh4 Cedar
Hills Ss. at Top
Rush Springs Ss.1
e F " '
.2 .L ...J Marlbw Sh, Ss.
AC<3>O
Pew Garber and
Wellington Ss.;
Pwa \Vellington Sh
Admire Group'
El Reno Group
l\lc. Pb. Pf
V-20
-------
oAQUIFERS
AND WATER RECHARGE
--- *
LEGEND
Most Valuable - Large Capacity
Water Supply Recharge
Medium Value - Moderate Capacity
Water Supply Recharge
Low Value Soil Water Only
1=3
V-21
-------
Appendix VI
Preliminary Estimate of Effective Ground-Water
Recharge Rates in Central Oklahoma
-------
ABSTRACT
Ground-water recharge rates for the unconfined part of the Garber-
Wellington Aquifer in central Oklahoma were estimated for water years
197.1, 1976, 1978, and 1979 by means of a computerized stream hydrograph
separation technique. Although many factors influence recharge rates,
it would appear that, on the average, about 100,000 gallons per day per
square mile, or about 2.11 inches, of water infiltrates the aquifer and
then finds its way to a nearby stream.
Vl-i
-------
TABLK OF CONTENTS
Page
'INTRODUCTION 1
CIKNliRAL FEATURES OF THE AREA. 1
C;I-:OLCX;Y OF THE AREA 3
METHODS OF INVESTIGATION 14
JNVKSTKiATIVE RESULTS 15
REFERENCES CITED 32
Vl-ii
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Table_ Page
1. Information on Stream Regulation or Diversion . 24
2. Effective Ground-Water Recharge Rates for Water
Year 1979 26
1. Effective Ground-Water Recharge, In Inches 30
-------
LIST OF FIGURES
Pi
-------
INTRODUCTION
The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is investigating the Garber-
Wi>l li nqton Aquifer system, which is the major source of; water supply
!<>r MILIIIicipalities and industries in central Oklahoma. This report
is a small part of the overall project, and its purpose is to estimate
the rate at which precipitation infiltrates and reaches the water table
(ijrouiKl-water recharge rate) in the unconfined part of the aquifer. The
analysis is based on a computer program that separates stream flow into
.its two major componentssurface runoff and ground-water runoff.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE AREA
The study area, which includes the outcropping rocks of the Garber-
WuJ l.i nqton Aquifer, lies in central Oklahoma between 96° and 98° longitude
(l'.l;iLe 1).* The region is characterized by a gently eastward sloping sur-
face of rolling, grass-covered prairie and low, wooded hills. It includes
.ibout 23,000 square miles, although the drainage area is considerably .
larger.
Annual precipitation in Oklahoma ranges from more than 56 inches in
the tiout-heast to less than 14 inches in the western part of the panhandle
(Fiq. 1). The average annual precipitation rate is about 32 inches. The
qro.il.est amount of precipitation generally occurs in May while January is
typically the driest month.
Although Oklahoma is subhumid, annual lake evaporation ranges from
about 46 inches in the northeast to more than 56 inches in the northwest
*l'late 1 is enclosed in the envelope at the end of this report.
Vl-1
-------
I
NJ
36 40
00 >0 40
"0 «0 100
Figure 1. Average annual precipitation in Oklahoma, in inches for the period 1931-1960
(Modified from Oklahoma Water Resources Atlas, 1976).
-------
(I'ii). 2). Since evaporation exceeds precipitation throughout most of the
state, much of the time there is a soil-moisture deficiency and ground-
waLor recharge is not great.
Average annual runoff in Oklahoma ranges from less than 0.2 inches
in Lhe panhandle to more than 20 inches in the extreme southeast (Fig. 3).
Kunoff is closely related to precipitation and evapotranspiration.
GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
In central Oklahoma, bedrock dips 30 to 40 feet per mile westward
toward the Anadarko Basin. Cropping out through much of this area (Plate
1) is the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, which consists of about 900 feet of
interbedded sandstone, siltstone, and shale representing delta deposits.
The ("iarber-Wellington is Early Permian in age.
The sediments were deposited by westerly flowing streams which had
t he.i r major axis at about the same latitude as Oklahoma City. As a result,
Ihu ratio of sandstone to shale reportedly decreases both northward and
southward from this area. Furthermore, there is also a downdip or west-
ward decrease in grain size from predominantly sandstone to predominantly
shale.
The aquifer consists of channel sandstone deposits that are inter-
rinqored with shale units. Due to the nature of the deposits, abrupt
(jliaiu|os in lithology are common. The maximum thickness of any one sand-
stone unit is about 40 feet, but they generally range between 5 and 10
I'eot. Shale layers, which average about 5 feet in thickness, have a
maximum thickness of about 50 feet. Sandstone makes up about half of the
aquifer, although this lithology ranges from about 30 to 75 percent of
the total unit. The maximum amount of sandstone relative to shale is in
the vicinity of Oklahoma City. The sandstone is typically fine-grained,
VI-3
-------
56 60
<
M
I
00 10 «O «0 §O IOC
Figure 2. Average annual lake evaporation, in inches for the period 1946-1955
(Modified from Oklahoma Water Resources Atlas, 1976).
-------
O.2
h-1
Ul
10
00 10 «0 tO 00 >00
Figure 3, Average annual runoff, in inches for the period 1931-1960
(Modified from Oklahoma WaterResonrces Atlas, 1976).
-------
crossbedded, and reddish brown (see Fig's. 4-17). Locally, zones of
mucl'ly o:onqlomerates and coarse-grained sand are present.
In the western part of the study area the Garber-Wellington is con-
fined and is covered by the Hennessey Group, which is also Early Permian
in aqe. In these areas recharge must find its way through the shale, mi-
qrate downdip, or leak from adjacent units. The Hennessey Group consists
larqely of shale and siltstone, with some thin layer of very fine-grained
sandstone. In some areas both the Garber-Wellington and Hennessey Group
are overlain by alluvium and terrace deposits. In general, streams fed
by discharge from the Garber-Wellington are perennial, whereas streams
draining the Hennessey Group flow only during and a short while after pre-
c i pit at. ion.
The Garber Sandstone and Wellington Formation have similar water-
bearing properties, are hydrologically interconnected, and are considered
as a single aquifer. Water-table conditions exist in many places in out-
crop areas and, reportedly, in the upper 20 feet of the aquifer. At depths
qroaLer than 200 feet and beneath the Hennessey Group, the aquifer is semi-
con fined or confined. Transmissivity values obtained from aquifer tests
ramie from 3,000 to 7,000 gallons per day per foot, while specific capac-
ities average about 1.3 gallons per minute per foot of drawdown. Well
yields, which range from 70 to 475 gallons per minute, average 245.
The deeper parts of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer contain water with
a dissolved solids concentration in excess of 1,000 mg/1. Hardness is
greatest in the upper parts of the aquifer, and the concentration of sul-
fate, chloride, and dissolved solids increases with depth. Overall, the
quality of the water is considered good for an area of limited rainfall.
Floodplain deposits exert a major influence on stream flow in the
region. These deposits are commonly sand, several to several tens of
VI-6
-------
Figure 4. Red to dark brown sandstone interbedded with shale, which ia typical
of the Garber-Wellington Formation. The background topography is
common in the study area.
Figure 6. Cimarron River at 1-36. Alluvial deposits and rolling topography
of study area.
VI-7
-------
'
Figure 6. Typical topography of areas underlain by Oarber Sandstone near Guthrie.
Figure 7. Garber sandstone in an 1-35 road cut north of Oklahoma City.
VI-8
-------
Figure 8. Massive lenses of Qarber sandstone in a road cut near 1-36 north of
Oklahoma City.
Figure 9. Rocks typical of Garber-Wellington Formation. Cross-bedded
sandstone above shale. Road cut on 1-36 north of Oklahoma City.
VI-9
-------
Figure 10. Interbedded sandstone and shale of the Garber-Wellington Formation.
Road cat north of Oklahoma City on 1-36.
Figure 11. Stream northeast of Oklahoma City cutting through collnvium on top
of the Garber-Wellington.
VI-10
-------
Figure 12. Road cut northeast of Oklahoma City. Cross-bedded sandstone with
associated shale of the Oarber-Wellington Formation.
Figure 13. Interbedded fine sandstone and shale of the Oarber-Wellington in
a road cut northeast of Oklahoma City.
Vl-11
-------
Figure 14. Cimarron River at the Payne-Logan County line. Wide alluvia!
deposits of fine sand.
Figure 16. Cimarron River at the Payne-Logan County line. Wide allovial
deposits of fine sand.
VI-12
-------
Figure 16. Wildhorae Creek at Highway 33 where it cuts through colluvium
that overlies the Gar her-Wellington.
Figure 17. Perkina Terrace, one mile weat of Perkina. Sand dunes conaiating of
fine, permeable aand overlying the Oarber-Wellington.
VI-13
-------
feet thick, and highly variable in width and length (Plate 1). In many
areas, the floodplain deposits are hydrologically connected to adjacent
sand dunes and form an extensive, permeable hydrologic system. In these
areas there is likely to be but little surface runoff since most of the
precipitation quickly infiltrates.
Alluvial deposits influence stream discharge for two major reasons.
First, they are major recharge areas. Secondly, they tend 'to damp river
stage fluctuations since part of the stream flow during periods of rising
stage infiltrate the banks and temporarily remain there as bank storage
until the stage falls.
METHODS OF INVESTIGATION
This preliminary estimate of natural recharge to the Garber-Wellington
Aquifer is based on the assumption that the precipitation that infiltrates
and reaches the water table in the zone of intensive circulation eventually
discharges to streams. It is this ground-water runoff that causes a stream
to flow during dry periods. A much larger percentage of precipitation that
infiltrates is taken up as soil moisture and eventually returns to the at-
mosphere by evaporation and transpiration. A very small amount of water
that reaches the water table is withdrawn by wells; this component is not
considered in this analysis because it is minute when compared to ground-
water runoff.
In order to determine effective ground-water recharge rates, it is
necessary to separate a stream hydrograph into surface runoff and ground-
water runoff. This is accomplished by a method developed and described by
Pettyjohn and Henning (1979). Ground-water runoff is assumed to equal
effective ground-water recharge.
VI-14
-------
This particular technique was used successfully in a study that in-
cl.udeil the cnLi.ro sL.iLe o I. Ohio. .LL liaa been used olyewhoie also, but
not- in a region that is hydroloqicnlly similar to Oklahoma. Presumably
the technique is transferable, but it has not been proven by other methods.
For this reason the natural recharge rates described herein must be used
carefully.
The effective recharge rates described herein were determined by
three different methods: the sliding method, fixed-interval method, and
local minimum. Generally two of the three methods provide results that
are in close agreement, while the third may differ considerably. This is
due to differences in the hydrology of the basin, particularly the effect
of streamside deposits. Where these contain permeable materials and in-
fluence bank storage, as is generally the case in central Oklahoma, the
sliding and fixed-interval methods provide the most comparable results.
The long-term precipitation pattern also has an effect on stream'flow
and ground-water runoff. For example, if there has been two or three years
oF below normal precipitation followed by a wet year, as in the case of
water year 1973, the calculated recharge rates will be lower than a wet
year that has been preceded by two or three years of normal precipitation.
The opposite is also true. This effect is related to replacement of both
soil moisture and ground-water storage. Because of variable climate sit-
uations, recharge rates will also vary from one year to the next.
INVESTIGATIVE RESULTS
Precipitation data from stations at Enid, Okemah, and Pauls Valley
(Fig. 18) were examined for the years 1973, 1976, 1978, and 1979. Except
for 1979, these years were suggested by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board
as being indicative of wet, dry, and normal years of precipitation. As
VI-15
-------
1. Enid
2. Okemah
3. Pauls Valley
O XO
Figure 18. Precipitation atationa used in the recharge investigation.
-------
shown in Fly's. 19, 20, and 21, 1973 was above normal and 1976 was- un-
W.KJ onJy uJiqhUy welter or dryer than 1.976, as far as average annual
precipitation is concerned. For these reasons, water year 1979 was
examined. Monthly precipitation of these stations is shown in Fig's.
22, 23, and 24.
A soils map of Oklahoma was greatly generalized in order to focus
more clearly on areas that should have higher natural rates of recharge
(l-'.iq. 25). The category with the highest potential for natural recharge
contains sandy soils and generally sandy subsoils. Most of these lie in
the southern and eastern parts of the region. The area of sandy soils
that commonly have fine grained subsoils have a moderate to low potential
Tor recharge. These generally occur along or adjacent to the major rivers.
Clayey soils are generally dark with clayey subsoils, although in some
places they consist of loamy soils and loamy subsoils in loamy redbeds or
alluvium. As a general rule, they have the least potential for natural
recharge and cover a large percentage of the study area. On the basis of
the map in l-'iq. 25, one would assume, all other factors being equal, that
the greatest amount of natural recharge to the Garber-Wellington would occur
in the southern and east-central parts of the study area and adjacent to the
nid jor rivers.
Records of 21 qaging stations were examined for water years 1973 (wet),
1976 (dry), and 1978 and 1979 (normal), although records for all gages were
not available for all of the years. Remarks concerning these gages are given
in Table 1. Because of the distribution pattern of precipitation, some areas
had more rainfall during 1976 than during 1978. In this case the lower re-
charge value was used for dry period. Furthermore, since precipitation tends
VI-17
-------
Station: Enid, North Central
Normal
Year
20
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Figure 19. Mean Annual Precipitation for Water Years 1970-1980
Station: Okemah, Central
Normal
Year
20
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Figure 20. Mean Annual Precipitation for Water Years 1970-1980
VI-18
-------
Station: Pauls Valley, South Central
w
u
a
«S
cd
04
Normal
Year
30
20
70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
Figure 21. Mean Annual Precipitation for Water Years 1970-1980
VI-19
-------
<
M
I
o
2 .
0
0
F A J
Water Year 1973
D F A
Water Year 1976
D
F A J
Water Year 1978
0
D
F -A J
Water Year 1979
Pi jure 22. Ckeraah Monthly Precipitation for Water Years 1373, 1976, 1978, 1979
-------
D F A J
Water Year 1973
D F A J.
Water Year 1976
F A
Water Year 1978
F A J
Water Year 1979
Figure 23. Enid Monthly Precipitation for Water Years 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979
-------
10
8
M
0
10
8
6
4
2
0
10
8
Water Year 1973
0
0
10
8
0 D F A J A
Water Year 1976
0
Data inferred and based
on nearby gage
D F A J
Water Year 1978
A
0
D F A
Water Year 1979
Figure 24. Paul's Valley Monthly Precipitation for Water Years 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979
-------
NJ
U>
D
SBBdy !! - MBdy *oiU witk roddUk
b*olla OB *BrioB« MBdy icrlaU.
Oood poUBtUI (or B«t«t«l r«ck*rf«.
Lo*mj ioll« - locay or MB<7 coiU wltk
IOBBIJ, cl«y IOBBI or MB
eoaaoBly *»loB«d OB lo**
ModerBt* to »oor votlBtUI for BBtBrBl
roek*r(*.
Clkyoy ioiU - dark loili witk
akaoil*} l«««y oil* witk la«B\y §«k-
oili IB loamy r«dk*dB or B!IBT|BB.
OoBorclly »oor »ot«BtiBl for BBtBrBl
raektrt*.
»O *O CO
Figure 25. Generalised soila map for Central Oklahoma.
-------
TABLE 1
INFORMATION ON STREAM REGULATION OR DIVERSION
.Station
Number
TSJO
IS20
1525
2291
2300
2305
2 3]0
2400
24.15.5
3274.9
3280.7
3281
3285
3297
Remarks
Some regulation by Great Salt Plains Lake.
Some regulation at low flow by Lake Carl Blackwell.
Small diversion made from reservoir for municipal
supply.
Some regulation by John Martin Reservoir in Colorado
and Great Salt Plains Lake.
Extreme low flow sustained by sewage from Norman,
occasional slight regulation by reservoir in Texas '
and New Mexico.
Flow completely regulated by Lake Thunderbird.
Flow regulated or diverted by Lake Thunderbird.
Flow regulated by Lake Thunderbird.
Some regulated by Canton Lake.
Canal from Canadian River to Lake Hefner.
Low flow sustained in part by sewage effluent from
Oklahoma City.
Small diversions above station for irrigation.
Flow regulated by 16 flood-retarding structures,
minor diversions for irrigation above station.
Regulated by Fort Cobb and Foss Reservoirs and
several flood-retarding structures.
Same as above, some irrigation diversions above
station.
Flow regulated by flood-retarding structure and
reservoirs.
VI-24
-------
to increase southeastward, higher recharge rates south of the Washita
River probably reflect this difference. Data for water year 1979, which
probably closely reflects the long-term average, are shown in Table 2.
Data for 1973, 1976 and 1978 are shown on Plate 1.
Other than the large basins (Arkansas, Cimarron, North and South
Canadian, Washita) only one water course (Little River) was recorded by
more than one gage. Records indicate a substantial recharge rate in-
crease from west to east. For example, the flow recorded at three gages
on Little River are regulated by Lake Thunderbird. Nonetheless, since
all gages are below the lake, the effect of regulation is cancelled.
Two gages lie within the outcrop area of the Garber-Wellington (Plate 1).
The upstream gage (2300) has a 257 square-mile drainage basin; the drainage
basin of the next downstream gage (2305) encompasses 456 square miles. On
the average, the effective recharge rate, in gallons per day per square mile,
between the upstream and downstream gages is twice as large as that above
(west of) the upper gage during wet periods and more than 6 times greater
during normal (1978) and dry years (1976).
A particularly useful method for evaluating stream flow consists of
relating the discharge to the size of the drainage basin (cfs/sq. mi.).
During water year 1979 the upper gage on Little River (2300) had a mean
daily flow of 7.51 cfs and the lower gage (2305) had a flow of 65.5 cfs,
which represents a considerable increase in discharge. When divided by
the size of the drainage basin (in order to determine the flow index),
the values are .029 and .144 cfs/sq. mi., respectively. During the 90%
flow (the flow equalled or exceeded 90% of the time), these values are
considerably smaller but the general pattern continues. During 1973 they
were .0000039 cfs/sq. mi. and .0000088 respectively, and in 1976 they were
VI-25
-------
<
l-l
I
Water Course
Wildhorse Creek
Winter Creek
Little Washita
Dry Creek
Deep Fork*
Little River
Little River
Little River
Walnut Creek
Council Creek
Skeleton Creek
Black Bear Creek
Salt Fork
Chickaskia River
TABLE 2
EFFECTIVE GROUND-WATER RECHARGE RATES FOR WATER YEAR'1979
Recharge rate, gpd/sq. mi. and inches
Station
Number
3297
3280.7
3274.9
2430
2423.5
2300
2305
2310
2293
1630
1605
1530
1510
1520
Fixed Interval
83,000
134,000
101,000
65,000
396,000
13,000
73,000
111,000
113,000
181,000
101,000
100,000
73,000
103,000
1.74
2.83
2.13
1.38
8.33
.28
1.54
2.35
2.38
3.82
2.14
2.11
1.53
2.18
Sliding Interval
67,000
143,000
99,000
67,000
396,000
13,000
59,000
107,000
115,000
175,000
97,000
99,000
70,000
105,000
1.41
3.02
2.09
1.41
8.32
.29
1.25
2.27
2.42
2.70
2.05
2.10
1.48
2.21
Local
15,000
61,000
56,000
12,000
257,000
1,354
33,000
22,000
54,000
19,000
25,000
14,000
4,470
20,000
Min .
.32
1.29
1.18
.26
5.4
.03
.70
.46
1.15
.42
.54
.31
.09
.43
Influenced by discharge of sewage effluent
-------
the judgment of the City Fire Marshal, a fire hazard. The well
shall remain shut or closed in until the hazard and its cause
are removed.
2.390 Inspection Q£ Pressure Lines. The Oil and Gas
Inspector shall inspect all pressure lines in use at any well or
at any project to assure that tubing, fittings, equipment or
connections are reasonably tight, safe and free from leaks.
2.400 Ingress .and Egress. Lease roads shall be maintained
in such a manner as to safely and comfortably allow for ingress
and egress of City or State personnel traveling in a common
passenger motor vehicle.
2.410 Order to Cease Operations.
A. If the Oil and Gas Inspector finds that, in his judgment,
a hazard to life or natural resources exists, he shall order
immediate rectification of the cause. If the permittee takes no
immediate measure to reduce the hazard, or if the situation be
so perilous as to constitute an imminent threat to safety, then
in either of these events he may order the prompt cessation of
activity, and if necessary, the clearance of the premises.
B. The Oil and Gas Inspector shall apply to the City
Manager for a hearing upon such order, which hearing shall be
held not longer than twenty-four (24) hours after the issuance
of said order by the Oil and Gas Inspector. The City Manager
shall determine if proper cause existed, and, if not, shall
order the permittee's activity to resume without delay0 If the
City Manager determines that proper cause did not exist for the
order to cease activity to issue, then he shall make whatever
ruling is proper to assure rectification of the cause of the
GWA 1-13-82
IV-27
-------
essary to use data from gages on the major rivers because their gaged
tributaries provide the same information and are influenced by far fewer
externalities.
From a natural recharge point of view the Garber-Wellington outcrop
area can be divided into three rather broad zones. Zone A extends south-
ward from the Kansas-Oklahoma border to the southern part of Noble County.
Here the major or gaged water courses include the Arkansas and Chikaskia
River, Salt Fork, and Black Bear Creek. In this region effective ground-
water recharge rates during a wet year (1973) were about 102,000 qpd/sq.
mi. (2.1 inches) and during a normal year (1979) were about 92,000 gpd/sq.
mi. (1.9 inches).
Zone B extends southward from the northern part of Payne County to the
headwaters of Little River in Cleveland County. Here recharge during 1973,
1976, and 1978 was about 58,000 gpd/sq. mi. (1.2 inches), 10,000 (.21 inches)
and 21,000 (.44 inches), respectively. These data are representative of the
western less-permeable part of the study area and the rates are quite likely
larger eastward. During 1979, however, which is more typical of a normal
year although wetter, the average rate is about 105,000 gpd/sq. mi. (2.21
inches).
Zone C extends southward through Wildhorse Creek basin. Recharge rates
in Zone C during wet, dry, and normal years average about 99,000 gpd/sq. mi.
(2.7 inches), 23,000 (.48 inches), and 41,000 (.86 inches), respectively.
Data for individual sites are shown in Plate 1. Recharge in 1979 averaged
about 92,000 gpd/sq. mi. (1.9 inches) in the Garber-Wellington outcrop area.
The average effective recharge rates described above are influenced, to
a large degree, by precipitation events and patterns. Since annual precipi-
tation increases towards the southeastern part of the state, the higher re-
1
VI-28
-------
charge rates along and south of the Washita River basin probably reflect
this difference. Furthermore, precipitation patterns during the years
studied were not uniform and fluctuated rather widely from one place to
the next. Considering all the data, it would appear that the average
effective ground-water recharge rate for the unconfined part of the
Garber-Wellington Aquifer is about 100,000 gpd/sq. mi., or about 2.11
inches. On most appraisals, this is the rate that should be considered.
Recharge rates expressed in inches are shown in Table 3.
The frequency of droughts and wet periods also have a subtle effect
on the hydrologic system. For example, a wet year following months or
years of dry weather will not influence stream flow or ground-water re-
charge as much as a wet year following a normal or wet year. In part,
this is due to a large share of the water being used to replace the soil-
moisture deficiency and there may be little excess for surface runoff or
ground-water recharge. Resultingly, there may be a large difference in
calculated effective recharge rates from one year; to the next or from
place to place.
The preliminary estimates of effective ground-water recharge rates
described herein reflect only a short time span and, consequently, are
subject to revision. Another project is presently underway by the author
to evaluate rates using a 10-year continuous data base. This study will
result in effective recharge rates that are less iinfluenced by uncommon
precipitation events or periods. On the other hand, recharge rates during
dry years are important, particularly for planning purposes, because it is
during dry periods that wells must withdraw largely from storage.
Recharge rates for other areas in Oklahoma have been determined by a
variety of methods by graduate students in the Department of Geology at
VI-29
-------
<
l-l
1
OJ
o
Stati Nr. I?r;
1510 -:.~l
22.:-i
31.49
1523 2.37
2. 17
1.75
1525 1.40
1.26
1.07
1530 2.05
2.10
1.09
1605 0.99
1.01
0.92
1610 0.76
0.63
0.57
1630 1.35
l."34
1.20
2291 0.09
0.09
0.09
2293 2.34
2.84
2.S2
2300 1.23
1.39
0.59
1 . 2
Fixed Ir-ervsi; S 1 i .-.i r.c -.: __rv2
1 =* ~ ;
0.56
3.:
0.53
0.85
0.87
3.52
0.40
0.42
0. 32
0.26
0.26
0.23
0.50
0.50
0.46
0.2l
0.22
0.21
0.31
0.31
0. 30
(1967)
0.05
0.04
0.02
1.17
1.16
1.10
0.05
0.05
0.05
-i
*LG?al Minima
157 = 1979
0.62
0.59
0.46
1.11
1.12 2. IB
1.03 2.21
.43
0.56
0.57
0.53
0.21 2.11
0.22 2.10
0.18 .31
0.29 2.14
0.30 2.05
0.27 .54
0.18
0.17
0.18
0.38 3.82
0.45 3.70
0.30 .42
(1968)
0.10
0.10
0.04
0.28 2.38
0.30 2.42
0.24 1.15
0.03 .28
0.03 .29
0.03 .03
-.. ,,- 13";
:3i5 2.90
3.03
2.65
2310 3.70
3.62
3. 39
2295 0.10
0.10
0.18
2415.5 0.25
0.23
0.21
2423.5 5.11
5.12
4.75
2430 1.32
1.32
1.25
3274.9 1.60
1.64
1.50
3280.7 4.57
4.45
3.74
3281 0.78
0.70
0.66
3285 0.94
0.90
0.78
3297 2.38
2.39
2.16
:.".:
0.22
:. 32
0.22
0.53
0.55
.047
0.03
0.04
0.03
0.10
0.10
0.10
3.51
3.50
3.48
0.98
.096
0.90
1.45
1.44
.139
.
1.34
1.36
1.22
0.66
0.65
0.62
0.71
0.71
0.68
0.90
0.84
0.69
- :.- -
:. is
:. 17
0. 13
:.43
:. E:
0.40
3.05
O.D5
0.04
0.39
0.09
o.:a
3.29
3.20
3.20
0.17
0. 16
0.15
0.30
0.32
0.77
(1975)
5 . 56
6. 30
4.30
(1963)
0.73
0.77
C.23
0. 73
3.63
0.63
C.S4
0.-3
0.43
19" -i
1.54
1.25
.70
8.33
8.32
5.40
1.38
1.41
.26
2.13-
2.03
.1.13
1.74
1.41
.32
-------
Oklahoma State University. Generally, the rates were based on computerized
ground-water flow models, and thus recharge was not actually measured but
rather estimated by calibrating each model. The calibrations were based
on long-term averages. In most cases only the most permeable areas were
modeled. :
The Enid Terrace was investigated by Beausoleil (1981). Using well
hydrographs and precipitation data for this model, he concluded that the
natural recharge rate was about 2.3 inches/year (109,500 gpd/sq. mi.).
Lyons (198.1.) in his study of the Elk City-Washita area, calculated a re-
charge rate of 3.92 inches/year (186,630 gpd/sq. mi.), which is 14.1% of
the long-term precipitation rate. The North Fork of the Red River was
investigated by Paukstartis (1982). He estimated a long-term recharge
i
rate of 2.28 inches/year (108,550 gpd/ sq. mi.), which was equivalent to
9.4% of the total runoff. Shipper, whose work is still in progress,
studied part of the Washita basin. His preliminary estimate of recharge
through permeable alluvial deposits is 3.3 inches/year (157,100 gpd/sq. mi.)
VI-31
-------
REFERENCES CITED
Beausoleil, Y. J., 1981. A ground-water management model for the Enid
isolated terrace aquifer in Garfield County, OK: Unpublished M.S.
thesis, Department of Geology, Oklahoma State University, 66 p.
Lyons, T. D., 1981. A ground-water management model for the Elk City
aquifer in Washita, Beckham, Custer and Roger Mills Counties, OK:
Unpublished M.S. thesis, Department of Geology, Oklahoma State
University.
Oklahoma Water Resources Board, 1976. Oklahoma's Water Atlas: Okla-
homa Water Resources Board, 137 p.
Paukstratis, E. J., 1981. Computer simulation of the alluvial aquifer
along the North Fork of the Red River in southwestern Oklahoma:
Unpublished M.S. thesis, Department of Geology, Oklahoma State
University, 111 p.
Pettyjohn, W. A. and R. J. Henning, 1979. Preliminary estimate of
yround-water recharge rates, related streamflow and water quality
in Ohio: Ohio State University Water Resources Center, Rept. 552,
323 p.
u. S. Geological Survey, Water resources data for Oklahoma, 1973, 1976,
1978 and 1979: U. S. Department of Interior, Geological Survey.
VI-32
-------
Appendix VII
DETAILED WORK PLAN
FOR A
NATIONAL GROUNDWATER RESEARCH PROJECT
ON THE
CAREER-WELLINGTON AQUIFER
LEGAL FACTORS
(Task 903.01)
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
CAREER-WELLINGTON AQUIFER PURSUANT TO
82 O.S. 1981, §§1020.1 et scq.
Submitted by
Glen D. Hammonds, Staff Attorney
Oklahoma Water Resources Board
March, 1983
yrr
-------
THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION,
DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE
CAREER-WELLINGTON AQUIFER PURSUANT TO
82 O.S. 1981, §§1020.1 et seq.
The following material generally outlines and summarizes the
existing state laws and regulations related to water rights in
the State of Oklahoma. Particular emphasis is given to existing
laws and the legal framework that will impact upon the develop-
ment of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. The starting point for
this report on ground water laws must necessarily begin with an
examination of the Oklahoma Statutes applicable to ground water,
especially the Oklahoma Ground Water Law, which is found at 8?.
O.S. 1981, §?1020.1 through 1020.22, inclusive. The current
Oklahoma Ground Water Law was passed in 1972 and became effective
July 1, 1973.
I
Basic Legal Framework
The basis for the ground water law, the regulations there-
under, and the system of water rights administration in Oklahoma
originates in 60 O.S. 1981, §60. This section states in relevant
part:
"The owner of the land owns water standing
thereon, or flowing over or under its surface
but not forming a definite stream. The use
of ground water shall be governed by the
Oklahoma Ground Water Law. . ."
Thus it is apparent that the entire system of ground water
law administration and regulation is based upon the premise thpt
the owner of the land owns the water thereunder. However,
further reading of this section indicates that this "ownership"
VII -1
-------
is not an unqualified right. Section 60 reminds us that the
"vise" of the ground water is to be governed, controlled and
managed according to the provisions of the ground water law.
In an effort to fully understand the regulatory system
proposed and implemented by the ground water law, it is necessary
to look at the policy declared by the Oklahoma Legislature when
the act was adopted. Title 82 O.S. 1981, §1020.2 states this
policy as follows:
"It is hereby declared to be the public
policy of this state, in the interest of the
agricultural stability, domestic, municipal,
industrial, and other beneficial uses,
general economy, health and welfare of the
state and its citizens, to utilize the ground
water resources of the state, and for that
purpose to provide reasonable regulations for
the allocation for reasonable use based on
hydrologic surveys of fresh ground water
basins or subbasins to determine a restriction
on the production, based upon the acres
overlying the ground water basin or sub-
basin. . ."
Thus the Legislature passed this act with the intention, para-
phrased, that the ground water resources of the state be utilized
for beneficial uses including but not limited to agriculture,
domestic, municipal and industrial uses and to provide reasonable
regulations, restricting production in the interests of the
general economy and health and welfare of the state and its
citizens. It is apparent that the Legislature sought to provide
for utilization of the ground water resources of the state, yet
realized that some sort of restriction on production was needed,
and set forth the procedures in subsequent sections of Title 8?
necessary for said restriction on the use of the ground water.
VII -2
-------
It is apparent from a review of the underlying policy
concerning ground water use and regulation that there are no
legal preferences or priorities among competing uses for the
right to place water to beneficial use in Oklahoma. Not only is
there an absence of statutory authority for establishing prefer-
ences and priorities among different uses (for example: municipal
use being given a preference or priority over agricultural or
industrial use), but §1020.2 rather lumps all beneficial uses to
he utilized together and puts them on equal footing. Thus, every
permit holder allowed to withdraw ground water Irrom the Garber-
Wellington is on equal legal footing with every other permit
holder, there being no priority in time or preference among
competing uses for the water except for those persons with rights
perfected prior to the present law.
As contemplated by the ground water statute's, the first
major step in the utilization of ground water resources through
allocation for reasonable use is the making or conducting of
hydrologic surveys and investigations. The ground water law
directs that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board make hydrologic
surveys and investigations of each fresh ground water basin or
subbasin and authorizes the Board to cooperate with state and
federal agencies in making these surveys and investigations and,
further, requires the Board to update said hydrologic surveys at
least every ten years. (82 O.S. 1981, §1020.A).
The second step in the information gathering process
requires the Board, after making the hydrologic surveys, to make
VII-3
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a determination of the maximum annual yield of fresh water to be
produced fron each ground water basin or subbasin. The third
step entails the setting of a "tentative maximum annual yield for
the basin" and the Board calling and holding hearings on said
tentative maximum annual yields. After these hearings are
completed, the Board then proceeds to make a final determination
as to the maximum annual yield of water which shall be allocated
to each acre of land overlying such basin or subbasin. 82 O.S.
1981, §§1020.5 and 1020.6.
The process by which hydrologic surveys and investigations
are made and conducted is quite complex and involves considerable
tine and expense. Section 1020.5 provides certain guidelines and
criteria upon which a determination of maximum annual yield is to
be formulated.. The- determination of maximum annual yield of
fresh water tro be- produced from ? ground water basin must be
based upon the following:
1) The total land area overlying the basin
or subbasin;
2) The amount of water in storage in the
basin or subbasin;
3) The rate of natural recharge to the
basin or subbasin and total discharge
from the basin or subbasin;
4) Transmissibility of the basin or
subbasin; and
5) The possibility of pollution of the
basin or subbasin from natural
sources.
In determining "total discharge" for purpose of maximum
annual yield, the Board must determine who possessed ground water
VI -4
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rights prior to the effective date of the current ground water
law, and in what amounts and for what purposes. Section 1020.14
(of Title 82) instructs the Board that:
"Nothing in this act shall be construed to
deprive any person of any right to the use of
groundwater in such quantities and amounts as
were used or were entitled to be used prior
to the enactment hereof. Any person having
the right to place groundwater to beneficial
use prior to the effective date of this act
shall have the right to bring his use under
the provisions of this act."
Since the Board is not allowed to construe the statutes ir.
such a manner as to deprive persons of the quantities as were
used or entitled to be used prior to the enactment of the present
law, and since ground water withdrawal? under authority of a
"prior right" constitute discharges from the basjin, the Board
conducts administrative proceedings on a county-*by-county basis
to determine these prior rights. Once the Board quantifies the
prior rights in the counties that comprise the ground water basin
and the Board issues its Order declaring same, the total amount
of water attributable to prior rights is deducted from the amount
of water in the basin determined by a hydrologic: study in order
to quantify the amount available for allocation to owners of land
overlying the basin.
The Board's authority to administratively determine prior
ground water rights pursuant to 82 O.S. §1020.U has been legally
challenged but was upheld by the Supreme Court of Oklahoma in the
case of Field and Petty v. OWRB. 645 P.2d 511 (1982). In this
case the Court upheld the Board's position that the plaintiffs
VII-5
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did not possess a prior right to withdraw water from the Ogallala
ground water basin in Texas County based upon their 1970 first
use of the water in the absence of a permit allowing the with-
drawal of water. In summary, the Court held that actual prior
use without compliance with prior legislative provisions to
obtain a permit to withdraw water was not a basis upon which to
grant plaintiffs a prior ground water right with a priority date
earlier than the effective date of the current ground water law.
Another guideline the Board must take into consideration is
that the maximum annual yield of each fresh ground water basin or
subbasin shall be based upon a ninimum basin or subbasin life of
twenty (20) years from the effective date of the Ground Water Law
(July 1, 1973).
In an effort to assure input fron interested persons, the
law further requires the Board to make copies of the hydro!ogic
survey available for inspection and examination by all interested
persons and to hold administrative public hearings on the Board's
tentative determination. Hearings are held at centrally loc?red
places within the basin area. At these hearings, the Board is
directed to present evidence of the geological findings and
determinations upon which the tentative maximum annual yield has
been based. Any interested party has the right to appear and
present evidence in support or opposition to the Board's
tentative determination of the maximum annual yield. Once this
information has been received, reviewed and considered, the Board
then proceeds to make its final determination as to the maximum
VII -6
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annual yield of the water to be allocated to each acre of land
overlying such basin or subbasin. It should be noted that the
statutes allow the Board in subsequent basin or subbasin hearings
to increase the amount of water allocated to each acre, but not
to decrease the amount of water allocated.
The Legislature also carved out certain exceptions from the
permitting requirements of the ground water law., One exclusion
from the permitting requirements is found at 82 O.S. 1981,
§1020.3 which states "Any landowner has a right to take ground
water from land owned by him for domestic, use without a perr.it."
Another exclusion is found at §1020.2 which provides that "the
provisions of this act shall not apply to the taking, using, or
disposal of salt water associated with the exploration, production
or recovery of oil and gas or to the taking, using, or disposal
of water trapped in producing mines." For purposes of the ground
water law, "Fresh water" is water having less than five thousand
(5,000) parts per million total dissolved solids, with all other
water being "salt water".
IT
The Application and Permitting Process
In Oklahoma, the application and permitting requirements may
generally be found in the statutes at 82 O.S. 1983, §§1020.7
through 1020.11 inclusive. These statutes require that:
VII-7
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"Any person intending to use ground water
shall, after his testing is completed, make
application to the Board for an appropriate
permit as provided in Section 11 before
commencing any drilling for such purposes and
before taking water from any completed well
heretofore drilled."
One notable exclusion to this requirement is that any
landowner ha"s a right to take ground water for domestic use
without a pernit from land owned by hin. "Domestic use" by law
means the use of water by a natural individual or by a family or
household for household purposes, for farm and domestic animals
up to the normal grazing capacity of the land and for the irriga-
tion of land not exceeding a total of three acres in area for the
growing of gardens, orchards and lawns.
The law requires that applications to take and use ground
water be on forms- provided by the Board which, must be completed
pursuant to the rules and regulations established by the Board.
Each blank on the application must be filled in with, all relevant
data as accurately and completely as possible. Any applicant not
owning land to be irrigated must obtain written permission from
the landowner to make the application.
Of particular importance in the application process i-s that
a full legal description of each tract of land and the location
of each well, to the nearest ten-acre subdivision be given. The
applicant must state the purpose for which the ground water is to
be used and must state if wells for domestic, stock, irrigation,
or other purposes exist within one-half mile or less from the
VII-8
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proposed well. Additionally, the applicant must: furnish names
and mailing addresses of all adjacent landowners; and the applicant
cannot be his own adjacent landowner.
The Board is directed to hold a hearing upon each application
filed. Once an application is filed which complies with the pro-
visions of the law and the Board's rules and regulations, the
applicant is instructed to publish a notice of the upcoming
hearing on the application in a newspaper in counties designated
by the Board. This notice is published, at the applicant's
expense, once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of
general circulation in the county in which the well is to be
located. The applicant is also required to piv« further notice
i
by certified mail to all immediately adjacent landowners. These
notices set forth all of the pertinent facts contained in the
application as to the proposed well location, the amount of
water, the place and purpose of use, the name and address of the
applicant, the time when and the place where the application will
be taken up by the Board for consideration. At the hearing on
the application, the Board's Hearing Examiner receives evidence
presented by the interested parties. Hydrologic surveys and
other relevant data may also be entered into evidence. This
evidence is used by the Board to determine whether an applicant
meets the four conditions outlined in 82 O.S. 1981, 51070.9 for
the granting of a ground water permit. Paraphrased, these statu-
tory conditions are:
VII-9
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1) That the lands dedicated to the applica-
tion are owned or leaded by the applicant
(a valid lease permitting withdrawal of
the ground water);
2) That the lands dedicated overlie the
fresh ground water basin or subbasin;
3) That the applicant's intended use is a
"beneficial use"; and
4) ". . .that waste will not occur. . ."by
virtue of the intended use.
It is clear that, prior to issuing any ground water use
permit, the Board must nake a finding and determination that
waste will not occur by virtue of the intended use subject of the
application. This finding is a jurisdictional prereouisite to
the issuance of a permit and is an affirmatively required Board
finding and determination. The issue of "waste" is a statutory
issue which is made applicable to all application proceedings.
"Waste" is discussed in-depth in Subpart III, protection of
Ground Water.
In connection with the granting of ground water applications,
it should be noted that there are four types of ground water
permits that may be obtained under the Ground Water Law, i.e.
regular, temporary, special and-provisional temporary permits.
Each type of permit serves a different function and has a differ-
ent time limit or duration.
A regular permit is the type of permit issued by the Board
allowing ground water to be put to beneficial use and is a permit
which has no termination date. Regular permits are granted only
after completion of the hydrologic survey and after the maximum
VII-10
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annual yield for the appropriate basin or subbasln has been
determined by the Board. By statute, this type of permit may
only be revoked or cancelled for willful failure to report annual
usage and for violations of Oklahoma's "waste" statute (§§1020.12
and 1020.15).
A temporary permit is an authorization for the same purposes
as a regular permit, but is granted prior to the completion of
the hydrologic surveys and determination of the maximum anrual
yield of the basin or subbasin. A temporary permit must be
revalidated annually during its term and lapses upon its expira-
tion or the issuance of a regular permit, whichever occurs first.
A unique feature is that, unless certain circumstances exist, the
water allocated by a temporary permit may not be less than two
(2) acre-feet annually for each acre of land owned or leased by
the applicant in the basin and dedicated to the Instant applica-
tion. This feature of the temporary permit (allocating two
acre-feet per acre) differs from the regular permit wherein the
maximum annual yield may reveal that a landowner is entitled to
use a different amount, either a greater or lesser amount per
acre, from the two acre-feet per acre allowed under a temporary
permit. Amounts in excess of two acre-feet are granted under a
temporary permit if the applicant presents clear and convincing
evidence that the allocation will not exhaust the water in the
basin or subbasin in less than 20 years.
The third type of ground water permit issued is a special
permit which may be used in lieu of or in addition to a regular
VII -11
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or -temporary permit. This type of permit is designed to.be used
when a specific beneficial use requires quantities of water in
excess of that allocated under a regular or temporary permit.
The special pemit has several unique features contrasting it
from the temporary or regular permit. As with all types.of
permits a specific purpose to which the water is to be placed is
referenced in the "special" permit. However, the water authorized
to be used under a special permit may be used only for that
designated purpose, and no change of use may be made, as is
possible for other types of permits. Another unique feature of
the special permit is? that the duration of the permit shall not
exceed six <6) months but the permit may be renewed three (3)
times. It should also be noted that successive special permits
cannot be granted for the same purpose. This type of permit is
subject to revocation or cancellation for the same statutory
reasons as is a regular or temporary permit.
, The fourth type of ground water permit issued by the Board
is a provisional temporary permit. This type of permit is
granted upon administrative approval, is nonrenewable, is effec-
tive for a period of not to exceed sixty (60) days and is subject
to cancellation at any time during its term. Since this permit
is granted upon administrative approval, no hearing is held, no
application notice or data is published and no notice to adjacent
landowners is required. This type of permit is only approved
where the applicant's use is short term and the need is immediate.
vn-12
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The procedures for the granting of regular permits, including
the four previously mentioned criteria for the granting of a
ground water application, are applicable to all types of permits
including temporary, provisional temporary or special type
permits, except that the completion of a hydrologic survey is not
a condition precedent for temporary, special or provisional
temporary permits. Another provision which is applicable to all
rypes of permits is that, with one exception, rto permit? shall be
issued by the Board to any applicants who do not own the land on
which the well is to be located or hold a valid lease from the
owner of such land permitting withdrawal of water from such basin
or subbasin. The single exception relates to municipalities
drilling wells on platted lands within their city limits and is
explained in more detail in Subpart IV (infra pg. 27).
The Board's -rules and regulations provide that every permit
issued by the Board shall contain substantially the following
information:
1) Date of filing.
2) The permit number and date issued, which shall
be the date the permit is approved by the Board
or by the Executive Director in the case of
provisional temporary permits.
3) The name and address of the person or entity to
whom issued.
4) The amount of water in acre-feet and maximum
rate of withdrawal in gallons per minute.
5) The proposed beneficial use and the legal de-
scription of the surface acreage dedicated
to the permit.
VII-13
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6) The description of the well(s) to the nearest
ten (10) acre subdivision, or by indicating
"center of" when applicable for a larger tract
of land.
7) In the case of irrigation, the number of acres
to be irrigated and the legal description of
same.
8) Ground water basin(s) from which water is to
be withdrawn. (Provisional temporary permits
are excluded fron this requirement).
In addition, the permit may contain any additional terms, condi-
tions, limitations, or restrictions the Board may prescribe.
Under provisions of 82 O.S. 1981, §§1085.2(10) and 1085.A,
the Board is required to prepare and charge a schedule of fees.
All fees are to be paid in cash or by check payable to and
receipted by the Board. Fees must be submitted before any action
will be taken. Permit fees are not refunded if the application
fcr a permit is denied. The filing and permit fee schedule to
withdraw ground water as of May 3, 1982 is as follows:
0 - 320 acre-feet S ?5.00
321 - 640 acre-feet $ 50.00
641 - 1,500 acre-feet $ 75.00
Over 1,500 acre-feet $100.00
Other fees required:
For the filing of a petition to add a
well or change a well location $ 25.00
For the filing of a petition to transfer
ownership of a permit $ 10.00
For the filing of a petition to
subdivide the ownership of a permit $ 25.00
Certain Fees are also required in the licensing of well
drillers and operators.
i VTT_1<4.
-------
Pursuant to the statutes and the Board's rules and regula-
tions, each holder of a ground water permit oust report the
amount o: water used annually under the permit. The statutes
further provide that willful failure to report annual usage nay
result in cancellation of the pernit by the Board upon proper
notice and hearing ss provided in the Administrative Procedures
Act (Title 75 O.S. §§301 et seq.). Permit holders nay
voluntarily surrender a ground water permit, should a holder so
desire, and forms for this purpose are available fron the Board.
Ill
Protection of Ground Water
The prevention of and prohibition against "waste" or wasteful
uses of water is a major tenet of western water law and policy
and is of great importance to those persons using ground water
from the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. As noted by Wells Hutchins:
"Unnecessary waste of water generally has no
rightful place in the water use economy of the
West. Said a Florida court: 'As a general
principle, equity abhors waste, and delights
to restrain it in a proper case'. To waste
water is to injure the public welfare; hence,
it is the undoubted policy of the law to
prevent its waste." (Hutchins, Vol. 1, "Water
Rights Laws In The Nineteen Western States",
Ch. 1, p. 12)
While Robert Emnet Clark generally defines "waste" as the
loss of a resource (water) without substantial benefit, the
concept of waste in western water law nvay, depending on context,
VII-15
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variously relate to the quantity of water to be used in connection
with any particular purpose; the location of the use; the purpose
of the us«; and, generally, the intended method and manner of
use. Clark, "Waters and Water Rights", Volumes 1 and 7, Glossary
and Chapter 4, pgs. 322 and 386, respectively.
While the concepts of "beneficial use" and "waste" are
separate and distinguishable, the two are most directly and
clos-ely related. Beneficial use generally relates to and de-
scribes the nature and character of the particular use involved,
i.e., irrigation, municipal, industrial, etc. However, an
otherwise beneficial type of use nay nevertheless be fourr4 ro be
a wasteful use <"'vc tr rhe intcrru- c nr^'hot3 o.* rse or the arcur^ o^
use for the particular purpose involved. Crop irrigation is, for
example, a well-recognized beneficial use. However, the particu-
lar method of irrigation involved may be such that excessive
amounts of water are lost in transit and the particular irrigation
use would thus be rendered wasteful and, consequentially, non-bene-
ficial. Clark, supra, Vol. 1, Ch.4, pgs. 382, 386. Conceptually,
no wasteful use can be simultaneously recognized as a beneficial
use, and to declare a particular use "bereflcial" is to implicitly
recognize the use as also being "non-wasteful". See generally,
Atty. Gen. Op. No. 74-218.
Under the current Oklahoma Ground Water Law (82 O.S. ]9fll,
§§1020.1 et seq., as amended), waste is statutorily addressed i*-
four (4) different sections.
VII -16
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Section 1020.3, addressing a landowner's "domestic use" of
ground water, provides (as noted earlier) that wells for domestic
use are not subject to well spacing orders or the permit require-
ment, but, that such wells are subject to "sanctions against
waste". Sections 1020.9 ?nd 1020.11(D) set forth the conditions
which must be established before a ground water use permit may be
issued. Among the four (4) basic conditions are the conditions
that the Board find that the intended use is a '"beneficial use"
and that "waste will not occur" by virtue of the use. Section
1020.15 prohibits the Board fron permitting any fresh ground
water user to commit waste by:
1) Drilling s well, or taking or using
fresh ground water without a permit,
except for domestic use;
2) Taking more fresh, ground water than is
authorized by the permit;
3) Taking or using fresh ground water in
any manner so that the water is lost
for beneficial use;
4) Transporting fresh ground water from a
well to the place of use in such a
manner that there is excessive loss in
transit;
5) Using fresh ground water in such an
inefficient manner that excessive
losses occur;
6) Allowing any fresh ground water to
reach a pervious stratum and be lost
into cavernous or otherwise pervious
materials encountered in a well;
7) Permitting or causing the pollution of
a fresh water strata or basin through
any act which will permit fresh ground-
water polluted by minerals or other
waste to filter or otherwise intrude
into such a basin or subbasin;
VII -17
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8) Drilling wells or producing fresh
ground water therefrom except in ac-
cordance with the well spacing previ-
ously determined by the Board;
9) Using fresh ground water for air condi-
tioning or cooling purposes without
providing facilities to aerate and
reuse such waters; or
10) Failure to properly plug abandoned fresh
water wells in accordance with rules and
regulations of the Board and file reports
thereof."
This section requires the Board to take certain remedial steps to
enjoin the commission of waste where committed in the Board's
presence or where reported to the Board by complaint. Section
1020.22, Title 82 O.S. Supp. 1972, declares that the commission
of waste constitutes a misdemeanor offense punishable by fine.
From the statutory references, two general observations
regarding Oklahoma's statutory treatment of waste may be made.
First, it is clear that the issue and question of "waste" is of
considerable: significance under present law and policy. It is
one of the few matters of legal restriction placed upon domestic
ground water use, it is a jurisdictional prerequisite for the
issuance of all permits, and, it is an expressly forbidden act,
civilly and criminally. Second, "waste", as contemplated and
addressed under current statute, relates primarily to the method
and manner of use involved, that is, such aspects as the anount,
location, method and manner of use involved in what otherwise
constitutes a "beneficial use" of the water. However, under the
statute (§1020.15, supra), the particular use involved may also
constitute "waste" by definition, i.e., waste by "using fresh
-------
ground water for air conditioning or cooling purposes without
providing facilities to aerate and reuse such water".' Use
without a permit or use in excess of that authorized by a permit
also constitutes waste by definition under §1020.15.
While §1020.9 expressly requires a Board finding and deter-
mination that waste will not occur before a permit may be issued,
two points of preliminary clarification regarding this basic
finding should be noted.
First, the requirement that there be no waste is not absolute
or unqualified. As to the intended method and manner of use
involved, it is recognized that the "waste" which is prohibited
is "waste" which is deemed unnecessary or reasonably unavoidable
under the circumstances. As Hutchins states:
"In the operation of diversion and distribu-
tion systems, it is impracticable to save
every acre-foot of water. Some so-called
waste is inevitable, depending quantitatively
on the surrounding circumstances. Because of
practical considerations, therefore, the
inhibition against waste of water means
unnecessary waste, which is not tolerated in
the state policies relating to beneficial use
of water." (Hutchins, supra, at p. 13)
Second, a Board finding that waste will or will not occur
may address the issue of waste generally (amount, location,
method and manner of use), or, may address specific acts of waste
such as those enumerated in §1020.15. However., the Oklahoma
Supreme Court has ruled that §1020.15, supra, contemplates and
pertains to an "after-the-fact" condition and finding of waste,
that is, §1020.15 is a provision intended to provide a procedure
for criminal prosecution, injunction and suspension of a permit
VII-19
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when and if waste occurs. Lowery v. Hodges, Okl., 555 P.2d 1016
(1976). In Lowefy. the Court correctly reasoned that the §1020.9
requirement that the Board make a finding that waste will not
occur before issuing a permit does not require the Board to
specifically find that the ten (10) acts of waste defined at
§1020.15 will not occur, the reasoning being that §1020.15. as
noted supra, contemplates an after-the-fact finding of waste and
remedies to enjoin it. While Lowery in no respect alleviated the
necessity of a Board finding that waste will not occur before a
permit may be issued, it did clarify the distinguishable appli-
cability of §1020.15 in connection with that required finding.
»
Under §1020.9, a Board finding that waste will not occur by
virtue of the intended use must be made before an application can
be approved and a permit issued. The statute states that this
Board finding and determination shall be made from:
". . .the evidence presented by the parties
interested, from the hydrologic surveys and
from other relevant data available to the
Board and applicant. . ."
With regard to the evidence and proof required on the issue
of waste in permit application proceedings, three general observa-
tions may be made.
First, and despite the fact that hydrologic surveys and
other relevant data available to the Board may be resorted to as
an evidentiary source, the ultimate burden of showing ehat waste
will not occur rests with the applicant. In the final analysis,
it is the applicant which has the burden of coming forward with
evidence and proof necessary to establish the four (4) statutory
VII-20
-------
e I omen I o t'li I 'li 1'ino t ho o o I a'/i | I o lie il l
-------
Third, the extent of proof or evidence required to establish
that waste will not occur by virtue of a particular intended use
will undoubtedly vary from case to case and this is unquestionably
an issue which can only he determined on a case by case basis.
However, at the very least it may be said that some minimal
amount of evidence addressing an applicant's intended method or
manner of use is necessary before any competent finding or
determination on the question of waste may be made by the Board.
The cases of Lowery v. Hodges, supra, and Hodges v. OWRB. 580
P.2d 980 (1978) are illustrative of the proof required on this
issue.
In Lowery, supra, the parties challenging the irrigation use
permit issued by the Board argued, among other things, that the
applicant had failed to show in the Board's permit1 proceedings
that waste would not occur by virtue of the applicant's intended
use and that the Board had failed to adequately address the waste
issue in its findings. In this case, the applicant had introduced
some evidence on its intended method and manner of irrigation
use, and on the waste issue the Court stated:
"We would agree that an applicant must show
what method he intends to use for irrigating
a particular area; but once that information
has been furnished the Board, it then has the
authority to determine that waste will not
occur. If the protestants think that waste
will occur, they would need to present that
evidence to the Board for its consideration.
Here, the appellants introduced their plan to
the Board and the plan was approved by the
Board as not being wasteful.'1
VII-22
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"If the plans submitted to the Board do not
on their face demonstrate such waste, and the
protestants fail to introduce evidence, to sub-
stantiate that waste will occur, and the Board
finds that waste will not occur, the statute
(§1020.9) has been satisfied and further
questions concerning waste must await comple-
tion of the project." (at 555 P.2d 1016, 1023)
The Supreme Court reaffirmed this position in Hodges v.
QWRB, supra. That case also involved a challenge to the Board's
issuance of a permit for irrigation use wherein the applicant had
indicated through his evidence that he would use.the subject
water for spray irrigation and that he would comply with any
suggestions made by the Soil Conservation Service and the Agri-
cultural Stabilization and Conservation Service in that process.
It was noted that this was the only evidence introduced by the
applicant with regard to the method of irrigation subject of the
application. In addressing the issue of waste and the Board's
finding that waste would not occur by virtue of the intended use,
the Court stated:
"The reasoning in Lowery, supra, answers
appellees questions concerning whether or not
irrigation is a beneficial use and what proof
it is necessary for an applicant to present
that there will not be waste:
'We would agree that an applicant
must show what method he intends to
use for irrigating a particular
area; but once that information has
been furnished the Board, it then
has the authority to determine that
waste will not occur. If the pro-
testants think that waste will occur,
they would need to present that
evidence to the Board for its con-
sideration. '
VII-23
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"The only evidence presented to the Board in
the case before us that would suggest waste
was evidence that the total mineral content,
measured in parts per million, of domestic
wells in the area, might be increased when
the irrigation water filters back into the
ground water formation. This evidence
relating to total mineral content, which is
one indication of water quality, was not
conclusive."
"Because of the inconclusive nature of the
evidence and because Mr. Smiley did testify
that he would acquiesce to and follow any
recommendations made by the [SCS] and [ASCS],
we hold that the Board did not err in finding
that waste would not occur if the permit was
granted." (580 P.2d 980, at 982-983)
As can be seen from the two cases cited above, the courts
have implicitly recognized that at the application hearing stage
of the proceedings, a minimal amount of evidence inay be acceptable
with regard to the required Board finding that waste will not
occur. However, the cases also recognize that in such contested
proceedings, such minimal evidence addressing the applicant's
intended method or manner of use is absolutely necessary before
any competent finding on the waste issue can be made by the
Board.
In further regard to the subject of "waste" in ground water
proceedings, the question often arises as to whether or not the
use of fresh ground water for recovery of oil and gas constitutes
waste under the statutes and if it is waste, whether the Board in
such cases has the authority to disallow the application or
permit. Needless to say this has been a matter of concern to the
Board and others for a number of years. Accordingly, aoMt'Q bi
the Oklahoma Attorney General was sought and in
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the Attorney General advised that, in the course of research and
statutes reviewed, no statutory authority existed for the proposi-
tion that as a matter of law, the use of fresh water for this
purpose constituted waste. However, the Opinion did note that
the basis for any order entered by the Board approving this use
must be that the involved fresh water use was a legitimate
beneficial one; therefore, inherent in the order would be a
determination that no waste, as defined in the applicable sections
of Title 82, existed in the particular instance. According to
the opinion, this was analogous to and agreed in principle with
Canada v. City of Shawnee, 179 Okl. 53, 64 P.2d 694, pertaining
to an owner's reasonable use of percolating water flowing under
its land where the court held:
"The owner of land may draw from beneath its surface as
much of the percolating waters therein as he needs,
even though the water of his neighbors is thereby
lowered, so long as the use to which he puts it bears
some reasonable relationship to the natural use of his
land in agricultural, mining, or industrial and other
pursuits, but he may not forcibly extract and exhaust
the entire water supply for the community, causing
irreparable injury to his neighbors and thuir lands,
for the purpose of transporting and selling said water
at a distance from and off the premises.
"Section 11785, O.S. 1931, (60 O.S. 1961, §60), vesting
ownership of percolating water in the owner of the land
above it, does not thereby vest said owner with the
right to such an unreasonable use as will enable hin to
destroy his neighbor's property by forcibly extracting
and exhausting the common supply of water for sale at a
distance; such use being subject to the sane restric-
tions as are imposed upon ownership of other classes of
property."
Therefore, applying the applicable law, the Attorney General
reached the opinion that if the Board determined that the use of
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fresh water in a recovery project would constitute waste, the
authority of the Board was such that the permit application could
be disallowed.
In subsequent revisions of the Board's rules and regulations
specific rules, in addition to the regular filing requirements,
were imposed upon applicants filing for the use of fresh ground
water for secondary oil recovery. These additional requirements
were placed on oil companies simply to aid the Board in making
its determination involving permit applications for this use of
water. It may be noted that no such specific filing requirement?
are imposed on any other applicants fili > for a beneficial use
of water.
. In 1977, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma was faced with the
question of whether the use of fresh ground water in a water
flood system for secondary oil recovery would constitute "per se"
waste under the ground water lav?. The Court in Texas County
Irrigation and Water Resources Association, Inc. v. Cities
Services Oil Company. 570 P.2d 49 (1977), held that such use did
not constitute "per se" waste, and affirmed the Oklahoma Water
Resources Board's Order granting Cities Services a permit to use
ground water since the statutory requirements were fulfilled.
Another legal factor to be considered in the protection of
the waters contained within the Garber-Wellington Aquifer is the
Board's development and updating of the Water Quality Standards.
By statute, the Board is authorized to group waters in classes
according to their present and future best uses, for the purpose
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of progressively improving the quality of the waters. Once these
"present and further best (beneficial) uses" are established,
then the Board adopts standards of quality consistent with the
uses established. 82 O.S. 1981, §926.6A. Both the uses establish-
ed and the standards may be modified or upgraded to the extent
practical and in the public interest. When the 1982 Water
Quality Standards of Oklahoma were adopted, the "uses" established
for the Garber-Wellington Aquifer were as follows: irrigation,
municipal and domestic, industrial, recreation, commercial, fish
and wildlife, drilling oil and gas and housing development.
These beneficial "uses" established for the Garber-Wellingtcn
Aquifer reflect the uses to which ground water is presently being
put to use pursuant to the Ground Water Law.
These classifications and standards not only are important
in the prevention of pollution, but also impact upon the develop-
ment of the Aquifer and the lands overlying the Garber-Wellington.
IV
Management of Ground Water
In The Garber-Wellington Aquifer
Effective management of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer may be
implemented and accomplished by the use of the following institu-
tional mechanisms, as outlined under present Oklahoma law:
conservancy districts, master conservancy districts, irrigation
districts, regional water distribution districts, or through the
use of current management authority vested by the statutes in the
Vii-27
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Oklahoma Water Resources Board. In order to utilize -some of the
above-mentioned alternatives, minor statutory amendments may be
required. This section on management of the aquifer will explain,
compare and contrast the alternatives, but it must be pointed out
that no statutory amendments are necessarily needed to best
manage the resources of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer. This is
true because the best management vehicles available are probably
already contained in the Oklahoma Ground Water Act (Title 82
O.S., 1981, §§3020.1 et seq.), if these sections are fully
utilized by persons desiring to develop and protect the Garber-
Wellington Aquifer.
One alternative under current law for management of the
Garber-Wellington Aquifer would be by creation of a conservancy
district as authorized by Title 82 O.S. Supp. 1980, §541 et srq.
Relevant Oklahoma statutes indicate that conservancy districts
may be created for a number of different purposes, including
developing and providing water for domestic, industrial and
agricultural use, as well as directly to persons within the
district's territory. This may include the construction, opera-
tion and maintenance of storage, distribution, treatment, supply
and other works, installation, improvements and facilities
necessary or incidental thereto. The creation of a conservancy
district begins by filing a petition with the clerk of the
Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma, signed by owners of at
least fifty-one percent (51Z) of the land area embraced by the
proposed district. The Supreme Court shall then determine which
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o
District Court of the State near the center or middle of the
district is most convenient to hear and determine whether the
statutory requirements for the creation of a district exists. A
hearing is held by the district court and if the court finds that
the requirements set forth in 82 O.S., §541b exists, then the
district is created. Following the creation, a Board of Directors
are elected with the powers to carry out the purposes set forth
under the Conservancy District Act.
As indicated earlier, one of the' allowable purposes for the
creation of a district includes the construction, operation, and
maintenance of storage, distribution, treatment, supply and other
works, installations, improvements and facilities necessary or
incidental thereto, thereby giving the conservancy district
certain powers of management of the resources therein.
Another related institutional management mechanism is the
master conservancy district. A conservancy district and a master
conservancy district are distinguishable in that a master con-
servancy district may be created for the purposes allowed for a
conservancy district plus five additional purposes. The main
purpose for creating a master conservancy district is to co-
ordinate the operations, works and facilities of two or more
conservancy districts, or two or more municipal corporations
and/or conservancy districts in an effort to pool the resources
and, in some instances to enter into contracts wit:h municipal
corporations, persons, and public agencies for the furnishing to
them of water. Thus in effect a master conservancy district is a
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district created including lands constituting all or parts of one
or more conservancy and/or irrigation districts and/or municipal
corporations and/or lands not included in any such area. The
basic rules for organization and creation of said district are
comparable to those for the creation of a conservancy district.
Another possible institutional vehicle which might be
investigated for management of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer is
the irrigation district. In Oklahoma, irrigation districts are
organized pursuant to 82 O.S. Supp. 1973, §§277.1 et seq. An
irrigation district is created whenever ten (10), or a majority
of the holders of title to lands susceptible to irrigation from a
common source or combined sources and by the system or combined
systems of works, desire to provide for the irrigation of .same
join together to sign a petition and file for the organization of
the district. The petition must be filed with the Oklahoma Water
t
Resources Board and must contain certain requirements including
the description of the lands to be included within the proposed
district, names and addresses of all the electors within the
proposed districts and a proposed plan of operation. A map
showing the boundaries of the proposed district must be attached
to the petition. As in the case of the creation of a conservancy
district, the petition is set for hearing, except in this rase,
the hearing is held before a hearing officer of the Oklahoma
Water Resources Board. Following sufficient and legal notice, ?
hearing is held at the nearest county seat to the district giving
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all interested persons opportunity to appear and be heard concern-
ing the proposed organization of the irrigation district.
Following creation of the district, bylaws are adopted, a board
of directors is elected and certain powers are bestowed upon
these directors. These powers include those set out in Title 82,
§277.6 and include in relevant part: "manage and conduct the
business affairs of the district, make and execute all necessary
contracts, . . .establish equitable rules and regulations for the
distribution and use of water among the owners of land within the
district, and generally perform all such acts as shall be necessary
to conduct the affairs of the district." The powers of the Board
of Directors also include the power to make assessments or levy
charges upon the owners of land within the district, and the
collection of tolls and charges for water used, construct, use,
maintain, repair and improve canals, wells, reservoirs and water
supply distribution facilities, and to perform any lawful act
necessary to provide sufficient water to each elector in the
district.
Thus it is quite apparent that the Directors of an irrigation
district possess broad and wide ranging powers and authority to
conduct business on behalf of the district in the management of
water as a natural resource. Of the different types of districts
subject to creation for management purposes, the irrigation
district seems most attractive for the Garber-Wellington Aquifer.
This is especially true because of the powers to "establish
equitable rules and regulations for the distribution and use of
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water among the owners of land within the district". However, to
fully utilize this type of district, its powers would have to be
increased to include more than just lands susceptible to irriga-
tion, as current law provides. Also, the statute would also need
to be amended to expand the powers of the district to include not
only irrigation as a beneficial use, but all beneficial uses in
Oklahoma. Should these statutory changes be accomplished, the
irrigation district could serve an important role in local
management of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer.
Another potential management vehicle for the Garber-
Wellington would be a regional water distribution district. This
type of district is created pursuant to 82 O.S. Supp. 1972,
§§1266 et seq. A regional water distribution district is estab-
lished by a filing of a petition with the district court in any
of the counties affected containing one hundred or more qualified
voters who are landowners in the county wherein a reservoir is to
be located. At present time, the only areas in Oklahoma in which
regional water distribution district may be created are the
counties of McCurtain, LeFlore, Pushmataha, Choctaw, Atoka,
Pittsburg, Latimer, Coal, Johnston, Pontotoc, Bryan, and Hughes,
insofar as the stream systems of the Mountain Fork River, Glover
Creek, Little River, Kiamichi River, Muddy Boggy Creek and Clear
Boggy Creek are concerned. While at first it is apparent that
the Garber-Wellington Aquifer is not contained within these
VII -32
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counties, as earlier indicated, minor statutory amendments could
alter this limiting factor, and allow for the use of this type of
district in the Garber-Wellington Aquifer area.
As with the other types of districts, the creation of the
regional water distribution district requires a hearing before
the district court to insure that the statutory requirements for
the creation of a district are met and that the proposed district
will promote the general welfare of the state of Oklahoma and be
conducive to the purposes of the act. Following the creation of
a district, a Board of Directors is impaneled, and certain powers
are vested in the Board of Directors. These powers include not
only the acquisition of water rights, but also the power to
maintain and operate, acquire, own, hold, and dispose of plants,
buildings, works, machinery, supplies, equipment, apparatus,
facilities and transportation and distribution lines, equipment
or systems necessary to transport, distribute, sell, furnish and
dispose of such water. These districts are also empowered to
borrow money and otherwise contract indebtedness, to make any and
all contracts necessary or convenient for the exercise of the
powers of the district to fix, collect rates, fees, rents, and
other charges for water and any other facilities furnished by the
water district, and to do and perform all lawful things and acts
as may be necessary, convenient and appropriate to effectuate rhe
purposes for which the water district is organized.
Another alternative for effective management of the Garber-
Wellington Aquifer is through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board.
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The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is given the power under
present Oklahoma law, as it relates to the use of ground water
and the development of the various ground water aquifers (includ-
ing the Garber-Wellington Aquifer), to administer several provi-
sions which are quite useful in ground water management. In
general, these provisions encompass statutes concerning spacing
orders, well location exceptions, metering of wells, the unitiza-
tion and communitization of land for water production and also
special statutes concerning the development of wells within
municipalities, as well as regulations concerning licensed water
well drillers.
Oklahoma law provides the Board with the authority and
discretion to order such proper spacing of wells as is necessary
to the formation of an orderly system of withdrawal of water from
a basin or subbasin. This orderly system of withdrawal of water
is to be related to the allocation of water to the land overlying
the basin or subbasin. However, it should further be noted that
this statute, and the effect it has on ground water law, is
limited somewhat by a 1977 Attorney General Opinion. This
Opinion held that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board did not have
the authority to set mandatory well-spacing prior to completion
of a hydrologic survey and allocation of the ground water to the
land overlying the basin or subbasin. Op. Atty. Gen. No. 77-305
(February 22, 1978).
The information needed for the hydrologic survey and deter-
mination of equal proportionate share required prior to the
-------
Board's having authority to well-space will be provided by the
Study of which this report is a segment. Thus, upon completion
of this survey, the Board could well-space should it be determined
appropriate and necessary to properly manage the Garber-Wellington
Aquifer.
Presumably in connection with the well-spacing statute, as
well as the general statutory requirement that wells only be
drilled at permitted locations, the statute dealing with location
exceptions appears to be permissive and discretionary with the
Board. Before that statute comes into effect, it must be shown
that to require the drilling of a well at the prescribed location
would be inequitable or unreasonable. If the Board finds that to
require the drilling of a well at such a location is inequitable
or unreasonable, a location exception may be granted and the
permittee may be allowed to complete the well at a location other
than that previously approved under the permit.
Also for the protection of the aquifer and the permit
holders having the right to withdraw water therefrom, Oklahoma
statutes authorize the Board to require that water wells be
metered. The statute imposes the requirement that the meters,
approved for utilization by the applicant, be placed under seal,
subject to reading by the agents of the Board at any tine. This
statute only comes into play under present law when a request is
made by the majority of the landowners residing within a basin or
subbasin. Therefore, it should be noted that for the Board to
require metering of new wells in the Garber-Wellington Aquifer, a
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request would have to be filed bearing sufficient signatures to
constitute a majority of landowners residing within the basin
(Garber-Wellington). This would require many thousand signatures.
However, when weighing the burden imposed to require metering
against the total expense to the landowners and permit holders
throughout the entire basin for the installation and maintenance
of the meters, the Legislature apparently felt this requirement
was not unreasonable. Nevertheless, consideration 'should be
given to the propriety of making metering, where appropriate,
more readily available as a management tool than presently
provided through possible statutory revision. The Board is also
empowered to require the applicant to report the readings of such
meters at reasonable intervals. This statute may be utilized to
insure that the amount of water being withdrawn from a given well
or number of wells is commensurate with the amount allocated
under the permit or the equal proportionate share established
pursuant to hydrologic surveys.
There are also provisions of the Oklahoma Ground Water Law
whereby the owners of land and the Commissioners of the Land
Office are authorized to unitize and communitize lands for the
purpose of production of water therefrom. This statute is
limited by the proviso that the production of water therefrom
shall not exceed the maximum annual yield of said land.
The Oklahoma Ground Water Law has established certain
requirements for the use of water from platted lands by a munic-
ipality. Pursuant to §1020.21 of Title 82, a municipality is
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given the authority to regulate or permit the drilling of dorrest iV
and industrial water wells within the corporate city limits. The
law requires that in order for the city to use the; water allocated
to platted land within its corporate limits, the municipality
must be able to do the following:
1) Make water available to the residents of the
platted land,
2) Obtain a permit from the Board,
3) Locate the wells on the platted land, and
4) Locate the wells not less than six hundred (600)
feet within the municipal city limits.
As a further precautionary measure, to insure protection of
the ground water and the ground water aquifers themselves, the
Board is authorized to issue licenses to commercial well drillers
in the State of Oklahoma. The statutes require that all persons
engaged in the commercial drilling of wells for fresh ground
water in the State must make application for and become licensed
with the Board and file a bond with the State of Oklahoma of not
less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) conditioned upon compli-
ance with all the laws of the State and rules and regulations of
the Board. This well drillers licensing statute also provides a
requirement that the well drillers keep a log of each well
drilled and certain pumping test data, which may be required to
be submitted to the Board periodically. This information to be
provided by the well drillers is very useful in the management
and protection of the aquifer and can provide tremendous insight
into the development of the aquifer as a whole.
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f opr i t;a tun
.Based upon a comparison and analysis of the available
framework for best management of the Garber-Wellington Aquifer,
i
it appears that the best management tools are already in existence
The current Ground Water Law with its management and protection
provisions directed to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board provide
the bulk of needed authority. Management and protection of the
Garber-Wellington through greater use of the Board's existing
authority is recommended not only because of the Board's estab-
lished power and statutory authority but also because of its
long-standing commitment to the goals and objectives of good
management. In addition, use of the Board for management purposes
with the Oklahoma Ground Water Law would not necessarily require
any substantial amendments to existing law, and further would not
require creation of any new entities or districts to address the
problems and situations encountered in local management of the
ground water. It would therefore appear that the best way to
protect, develop and manage the Garber-Wellington Aquifer would
be to fully utilize the metering, well-spacing and the other
existing Ground Water Law provisions to accomplish the goals
desired by local management entities and citizens.
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