Minnesota Administrative Rules

4725.5475 HYDROFRACTURING WATER-SUPPLY WELLS.

Subpart 1.

Scope.

This part applies to hydrofracturing a water-supply well, as defined in part 4725.0100, subpart 30f. A remedial water-supply well, or other well or boring regulated by this chapter, must not be hydrofractured. Hydrofracturing must be done by a well contractor licensed according to Minnesota Statutes, section 103I.525.

Subp. 2.

Injection materials, water, and proppants.

A.

Water used for hydrofracturing must be potable water containing a chlorine residual. The use of surface water, unless obtained from a public water system, is prohibited.

B.

Additives must meet the requirements of ANSI/NSF Standard 60-2003e as determined by a person accredited by the ANSI under ANSI Standard Z34.1-1993.

C.

Proppants may be used to hold the joints and fractures open, and must be inert, clean, and nontoxic materials, including chlorinated, noncalcareous, washed sand.

Subp. 3.

Restrictions.

The following restrictions apply when hydrofracturing.

A.

The upper packer must be a minimum of 50 feet below the established ground surface.

B.

Hydrofracturing must not occur inside a casing. The upper packer must be a minimum of ten feet below the lower termination of a casing.

C.

Hydrofracturing must only be done in igneous or metamorphic bedrock.

D.

A water-supply well must not be hydrofractured unless located according to the isolation distances in parts 4725.4350 and 4725.4450.

Subp. 4.

Requirements.

The following requirements apply when hydrofracturing. The person hydrofracturing must:

A.

remove additives injected during hydrofracturing;

B.

disinfect a hydrofractured water-supply well upon completion of hydrofracturing, according to part 4725.5550;

C.

collect a water sample from a hydrofractured water-supply well used for drinking or other potable purposes, and test the sample according to part 4725.5650; and

D.

complete and submit a well and boring construction record, or amended record, within 30 days of completion of hydrofracturing.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 103I.101; 103I.111; 103I.205; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.401; 103I.451; 103I.501; 103I.525; 103I.531; 103I.535; 103I.541; 103I.621

History:

33 SR 211

Published Electronically:

September 2, 2008