NOTICE: Bulletin 74: Progress on the California Well Standards Update

From the Department of Water Resources:

This is a brief status report on our progress in the first half of 2024.

Sealing Materials Review

The Bulletin 74 team has been updating the current draft of the Well Standards in preparation for administrative review. During this effort, the Bulletin 74 Team became aware of advancements in sealing materials adopted by adjacent industries in recent decades that could have significant benefit to the well industry. To vet this new information, the Bulletin 74 Team embarked on a special review with grouting expert, Dr. Donald Bruce, Geosystems LP. 

In September, DWR will brief the Bulletin 74 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on the findings of the sealing materials review. If you are not a TAC member and wish to watch the September TAC Briefing livestream, please reach out to our Facilitation Team by emailing Jack Hughes at jhughes@kearnswest.com.  

Bulletin 74 Draft and Public Review

The findings of the sealing materials review will be incorporated into a draft to be circulated within DWR and its Partner Agencies for review. Following DWR and Partner Agency reviews, in Spring 2025, DWR will host two public meetings in conjunction with the release of the Public Review Draft and the start of the 45-day review period. These public meetings will provide an opportunity for participants to ask questions and comment on the Public Review Draft. DWR will provide more information about how to participate in the Public Review process in future GovDelivery updates. 

Visit the project webpage for the current project timeline: https://water.ca.gov/well-standards.