Historical Overview of Well Driller Logs and the DWR Well Completion Report Bob Pierotti Southern Region November 2009

Origin of Well Logging ► Don’t know ► Deep drilling was invented in Sichuan, China in 11 th century. (Vogel, 1993) ► The first known artesian well was drilled in the Artois district of France in (Sarton, 1931)

Early Well Logs ► ► England “In carrying on boring and well work, a great deal of practical information … may be embodied by keeping a correct journal.” (Swindell, 1849) ► ► U.S. “The importance of keeping a careful record of the strata encountered in … drilling needs emphasis …” (Chamberlin, 1885) ► China “In drilling wells the different strata of the earth should be noted.” (Jung, 1890; translated by Fang, 1948)

Early Well Logs Swindell,

Collection of Samples ► ► One must collect “a full suite of samples” (Chamberlin, 1885) ► ► One should sample:  (Spon, 1885)  “every time the boring rods are drawn to surface” (Spon, 1885)   “at intervals of not more than ten feet” (Norton, 1897)   At each change of character in the strata. (Spon, 1885; Norton, 1897) ► ► Samples “are best poured into cigar boxes or fruit cans…” (Norton, 1897)

Were Drillers Making Logs? ► “The importance of accurate records of borings was early recognized by the more enterprising of the drillers …” (Fuller et al, 1905) ► “Mr. Catey has been drilling wells for eighteen years in [southern California] and has logs of hundreds of wells.” (Reagan, 1915)

Problems with Driller Logs ► ► “Considerable difficulty has been experienced in obtaining reliable information in regard to well borings …” ► ► For many wells no records could be obtained. ► ► The interpretation of well records is “difficult and uncertain” because many drillers   “use haphazard terms of description for the materials which they penetrate in boring wells”   “trust much to memory when writing their ‘logs.’” Darton, 1897

Problems with Driller Logs ► Many drillers keep records while drilling. ► But afterwards, the records are often lost. ► After a driller works in an area for some time and learns “the succession of the rocks,” he keeps no records while drilling. ► Often even throwing away his earlier records. Fuller et al, 1905

Early Filing of Well Logs ► In 1904, the USGS began a voluntary “systematic collection of well records and samples” (Fuller et al, 1905) ► By 1906,  The work had extended “to nearly every State and Territory…”  Scope included borings for oil, gas, and water wells.  Nearly 2,000 records have been studied.  Upward of 12,000 samples, including sets from about 900 wells and borings, have been examined, classified, labeled, and filed. ► Because of budget cuts, program apparently ended. USGS, 1906, 27 th Annual Report of the USGS

Oil & Gas Well Logs ► Beginning in 1909, owners of oil and gas wells in California were required to:  “keep a careful and accurate log of the drilling of such well …” ( )  “keep a careful and accurate log of the drilling of such well …” (Statutes of California, 1909, Chapter 356 ) ► Beginning in 1915, owners were also required to:  File a log with the Department of Petroleum and Gas.  If possible, file logs for wells drilled previous to the enactment of this act. Statutes of California, 1915, Chapter 718

California Requires Well Logs ► A.B. 1934, Dickey et al ► Every person who hereafter digs, bores or drills a water well, or who deepens or reperforates any such well, shall file with the appropriate regional water pollution control board a report of completion of such well within thirty days after its construction or repair has been completed. Statutes of California, 1949, Chap 1552

California Requires Well Logs ► The report shall be made on forms furnished by the Division of Water Resources and shall contain such information as the division may require, including but not limited to:  description of exact location of the well;  detailed log of the well;  description of type of construction;  details of perforation; and  methods used for sealing-off surface or contaminated waters. Statutes of California, 1949, Chap 1552

Selected Modifications to Water Code Regarding WCR

Activities Requiring a WCR ► “Every person who…digs, bores or drills…or who deepens or reperforates…” (Statutes of 1949, chap 1552) ► “Every person who…digs, bores or drills…or abandons or destroys…or who deepens or reperforates…” (Statutes of 1969, chap 482) Underlines added for emphasis

Types of Wells Requiring a WCR ► Water wells (Statutes of 1949, chap 1552) ► Cathodic protection wells (Statutes of 1969, chap 482) ► Monitoring wells (Statutes of 1986, chap 1373) ► Geothermal heat exchange wells (Statutes of 1996, chap 580)

Driller Signature & License ► In 1986, first statutory requirements for:  Signature of the driller.  C-57 Water Well Contractor’s License. Statutes of California, 1986, Chap 1373

What was the intent of the law requiring the filing of WCR?

Intent of WCR ► Water Code §§ 7076, 7077, & 7078 regarding well completion reports were part of a package of bills known as the Dickey Water Pollution Control Act. ► Added “Division 7. Water Pollution” to the State Water Code.  State Water Pollution Control Board  Regional Water Pollution Control Boards ► Became effective October 1, Statutes of California, 1949, Chapters

Intent of WCR ► “considerable progress can be made by requiring … the filing of the logs of newly constructed wells, including all information as to the water strata encountered and the construction methods used for casing and sealing off, and the details of perforation. ► Such information, which must now be searched out without assurance of completeness, would be invaluable in the event of an underground pollution. ► It would also provide a tremendous fund of geologic information which is now lacking with regard to many of the underground reservoirs of the State.” Randal F. Dickey, 1949, Report of the interim fact-finding committee on water pollution

Intent of WCR ► “These sections are intended … to begin the systematic accumulation of the data on water wells which will be needed by the regional boards, and which will be of great importance in the studies of the Division of Water Resources.” Randal F. Dickey, Water Quality Control in California, September 1950

Intent of WCR ► “A current and complete file of well log data should be invaluable to the many agencies interested in ground water problems. ► In areas where quantity and quality studies are to be undertaken, this information now must be sought through tedious field reconnaissance without assurance of completeness since the logs for many wells are unobtainable.” Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

Intent of WCR ► “The information resulting from the provisions of this bill would be essential for appropriate action in preventing pollution or correcting existing pollution of the waters of the State.” Warren T. Hannum, Director or Natural Resources, July 5, 1949

Intent of WCR ► Indeed, the value of well logs relative to the problem of contamination had long been known. ► In 1911, because water wells can become contaminated, the USGS recommended that “[a]n accurate log of the well should be kept, so that the depth and character of the water- bearing formations may be known.” Bowman, 1911, USGS Water-Supply Paper 257

Declaration of Policy ► In 1965, a Declaration of Policy regarding WCR was added that further defines the intent. ► The Legislature finds that the greater portion of the water used in this state is obtained from underground sources and that such waters are subject to impairment in quality and purity, causing detriment to the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state. ► The Legislature therefore declares that the people of the state have a primary interest in the location, construction, maintenance, abandonment and destruction of water wells, which activities directly affect the quality and purity of underground waters. Statutes of California, 1965, Chap 1088

Why file WCR with Regional Boards rather than with DWR?

An Alternative to A.B ► Another bill regarding well logs ► Would have required logs be filed:  With the Department of Public Works  Logs of irrigation wells only ► No action taken, died in committee. S.B introduced by Senator Crittenden on January 29, 1949

Regarding A.B ► “It should be noted that the reports … are not made to the agency charged with … investigating defective wells, sources of pollution and underground water supply, and … preparing and furnishing the forms …, which is the Division of Water Resources, but are made to regional water pollution control boards. ► I deem this feature [of AB 1934] objectionable. ► Such information … should be filed with the agency charged with conducting the investigations. ► In any event, copies of the … records should be also filed with the Division …” C. H. Purcell, Director of Public Works, July 6, 1949

What was the Practice? ► The Water Code required WCR be filed with regional water pollution control boards ► However, it was reported in October 1952 that the WCR were “being filed directly with the Division of Water Resources” Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

What was the Practice? ► “Several Regional Boards have a vital interest in information to be gained through the reporting program…” ► “There are, however, regions that have little interest in such information at the present time.” Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

1965 A.B Porter ► WCR must now be filed with DWR. ► “Every person who hereafter digs, bores or drills a water well … shall file with the department a report of completion …” Statutes of California, 1965, Chap 1088

Value of Driller Logs

► “Location of reported wells has been so poorly indicated, reports have little or no value and the Division has been attempting to field-check the location of each and every well report.” Report on water well drillers’ completion reporting program: Region Water Pollution Control Board Executive Officers Committee, October 1952.

Availability of WCR

► No restrictions on availability in 1949 ► Reports …  shall not be made available for inspection by the public  but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making studies. ()  but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making studies. (Statutes of California, 1951, Chap 783) ► shall be made available to any person who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the water well. () ► shall be made available to any person who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the water well. (Statutes of California, 1965, Chap 1088)

Why Logs Are Confidential ► “The information required to be filed … is regarded by some drillers as part of their stock in trade, and such drillers are reluctant to submit such information if it is made available to the general public. ► It is believed that if such information is not open to public inspection, more complete and accurate information will be received.” C. H. Purcell, Director of Public Works, May 21, 1951

Why Logs Are Confidential ► “It is properly within the prerogative of the Legislature to prevent random inspection by the public of such reports since the reports are required for use by regional water pollution control boards only.” ► “No constitutional objection.” Walter S. Roundtree, Deputy Attorney General, May 22, 1951

Why Logs Are Confidential ► A.B  Passed Assembly unanimously  Passed Senate by 30 to 1 ► Governor’s office received no opposition from State agencies. ► Supported by  Department of Public Health  Department of Public Works ► “Approval is recommended.” A. Edward Nichols & Beach Vasey (Governor’s staff), May 29, 1951

A.B (1994) Sher An attempt to make WCR more easily available

A.B (1994) Sher ► Reports shall not be made available for inspection by the public. ► Shall be made available to public agencies for use in making studies. ► A public agency may publish selected portions of a report if the information is germane to the evaluation of water resources, water quality, geologic hazards, or seismic hazards. ► Shall be made available to any person who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the well. A.B (Sher) passed by Legislature in August 1994

A.B (1994) Sher ► Reports for wells located in urbanized areas shall be made available to geologists, geophysicists, and civil engineers registered in this state for use in making studies. ► At any time after the report is filed, the original well owner may request that information contained in the report not be made available to geologists, geophysicists, or civil engineers. A.B (Sher) passed by Legislature in August 1994

Support for A.B ► DWR analysis of A.B  PRO: “This bill would make … reports more accessible to the scientific and engineering communities, thus reducing time and costs for work related to seismic safety and cleanup of contaminated ground water.”  CON: “criteria for release of well reports is more complicated than necessary.”  Recommendation: “SIGN THE BILL” Enrolled Bill Report signed by Director Kennedy August 26, 1994

Opposition of A.B ► “these ‘logs’ are composed of soil and dirt samples which reveal a wide range of environmental conditions, including pesticide use, and underground water-table viability.” ► “Is it fair to take information paid for by an individual and make that information public?” ► “this information could potentially lead to new regulations and based on historical data rather than conducting investigations of existing groundwater resources. Groundwater resources fluctuate over time … it is imperative that any regulations be based on current rather than past data.” Assemblymember Dean F. Andal to Governor Wilson, August 11, 1994

Veto of A.B ► “although this bill may appear to offer … the security of confidentiality, it also mandates DWR to make the data available to state and local entities. ► … this conflict violates the provider's request to keep the information confidential. ► … the provider should have the assurance that when they request confidentiality, the information will not be distributed to any individual or governmental entity outside of DWR.” Governor Pete Wilson, veto message to State Assembly, September 27, 1994

MTBE S.B. 989 (1999) Sher et al ► “Reports … shall not be made available for inspection by the public, but shall be made available to governmental agencies for use in making studies, or to any person who obtains a written authorization from the owner of the well. However, a report associated with a well located within two miles of an area affected or potentially affected by a known unauthorized release of a contaminant shall be made available to any person performing an environmental cleanup study associated with the unauthorized release, if the study is conducted under the order of a regulatory agency. A report released to a person conducting an environmental cleanup study shall not be used for any purpose other than for the purpose of conducting the study.” Statutes of California, 1999, Chap 812

Summary ► 1848, earliest (?) well logs. ► 1904, systematic collection of well logs & samples by USGS. ► 1909, California required oil & gas well logs. ► 1949, California required water well logs. ► Intent of law:  Use in groundwater pollution studies  Increase understanding of groundwater basins ► Confidential to improve driller compliance.

Questions?