Private well abandonment program

Groundwater is a drinking water source for most residents in Peel.

Old and unused wells threaten groundwater sources by letting pollutants such as chemicals and bacteria contaminate groundwater.

The Private Well Abandonment Program:

• Is fully funded by the Region of Peel.
• Has a time and funding limit and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Accepts requests throughout the year; however, decommissioning work is typically completed from March to November.
• Evaluates each request before starting any work.

Well decommissioning is carried out by qualified and licensed well contractors. Wells are decommissioned in compliance with the Ontario Wells Regulation 903 under the Ontario Water Resources Act, 1990, which directs well construction, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Why well decommissioning is important

Unused and improperly sealed or maintained drinking water wells can provide a direct link between surface pollutants and groundwater. Identifying and decommissioning these types of wells reduces the risk of drinking water source contamination.

Refer to Source Water Protection to further understand why it’s important to decommission an unused well.

Program eligibility

There is no cost to participate in or qualify for the Peel Region Well Abandonment Program.

To qualify:

• You must have a drilled or dug well on your property that is old and no longer used.
• Your well (or wells) must be located within existing private residential or farming properties.
• The well must be located in Caledon, rural Brampton, or Mississauga.

The program is not intended for:

• Land owned or acquired by a contracting company looking to build or develop on the existing property (land developers).
• Unused wells on properties that are not considered private residential or farming properties.
• Federal, provincial, or municipal-owned government lands.
• Sites with access issues.

These types of wells do not qualify for the program:

• Over-drilled or multiple-nested wells
• Flowing wells
• Wells that are collapsed or require the removal of a large quantity of debris
• Wells near structures that may be affected by the decommissioning work
• Wells with strong or visible evidence of contamination
• Wells near landscaping that would require extensive restoration work

Before decommissioning work begins:

• Any existing pipes within the well structure must be removed or capped off.
• Any existing electrical wires running through the well structure must be removed.
• Any other work beyond the standard requirements of a typical well abandonment process must have taken place.

Decommissioning timeline

Decommissioning approval generally takes between 2 – 4 weeks. Work scheduling depends on how many participants are enrolled in the program.

You will need to sign a conjoint consent and release form before the decommissioning work can take place.

Decommissioning work is typically done within 1 standard working day (8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) depending on the complexity and number of wells being decommissioned on the property.

Once the decommissioning work has been completed, the contractor will mail the property owner a copy of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP) Well Record.

This record indicates that your well has been decommissioned in accordance with the Ontario Regulation 903 under the Ontario Water Resources Act, 1990.

Contact information

For more details about the Private Well Abandonment Program, email or call 905-791-7800, extension 4685.

If you want to replace well water with regionally-treated water for your home, refer to Connecting your property to Peel's drinking water system.