WATER-SUPPLY WELL PITLESS ADAPTER OR PITLESS UNIT, AND WELDED OR THREADED FITTING.

Transcription

1 WATER-SUPPLY WELL PITLESS ADAPTER OR PITLESS UNIT, AND WELDED OR THREADED FITTING. Subpart 1. Pitless adapter or pitless unit. Except as provided in subpart 2, a connection to a casing of a water-supply well made less than 12 inches above the established ground surface must be made with a pitless adapter or pitless unit. The connection must not be submerged in water at the time of installation. Native materials must be packed tightly around the pitless adapter or pitless unit to the ground surface. The pitless adapter or pitless unit must: A. be constructed to provide complete clearance within the internal diameter of the casing; B. be designed to be field-welded by holding the welding rod in a vertical or horizontal position, or bench-welded before field installation with a material as corrosion-resistant as the parent material; C. have all threaded joints watertight with no threads exposed; D. impart no taste, odor, or toxic material to the water; and E. connect to the casing by a threaded connection, welded connection, bolted flange with gasket, clamp and gasket, or compression gasket. A welded, solvent welded, or threaded coupling, adapter, or swaged fitting meeting the material standards of part , , or , may be used to connect a casing to a pitless adapter or unit. Additionally, a pitless unit using a compression seal must provide for the well casing to extend at least 2.5 inches into the throat of the pitless unit. The compression collar must be held in place with corrosion-resistant bolts, nuts, and washers. The installer of a clamp-on or weld-on pitless adapter must use a guide or template for cutting the hole in the casing to accommodate the pitless adapter. Pitless adapters and units are fittings attached to or replacing the casing, usually below the frost line, that allow a water discharge line to exit the casing below frost and not freeze, allow the pump to be removed without excavation, and allow the casing to be extended above grade for proper venting, service, and sanitary protection. A pitless adapter is a fitting inserted into a hole in the side of the casing. A pitless unit is a fitting and upper casing that replaces the casing from the frost line to above the surface. Pitless adapters and units are so named because they replace the old, unsafe, and unsanitary practice of putting wells in pits. Water discharge connections to a water-supply well casing made lower than 12 inches above-grade (even if the connection is above-ground) must be made with an approved pitless. A connection for venting or remediation (remedial well), water level measurement, treatment, or electrical may be made with a fitting as described in subpart 2 below. 331

2 Water-supply well connections made higher than 12 inches above-grade must be made with a threaded connection, welded connection, rubber expansion sealer, or a bolted flange as detailed in Minnesota Rules, part The top of the casing must be covered with a well cap, cover, or pump base as detailed in Minnesota Rules, part The casing extension, from the pitless adapter above-ground, must be made of material which meets the casing standards as detailed in Minnesota Rules, parts through The casing extension for factory-made pitless units including the spool, adapter, discharge and upper casing extension may be of materials not meeting the casing standards of Minnesota Rules, parts through if the entire unit has been approved by the MDH as an engineered unit. The water may be pumped down so that the connection is not submerged in water during installation. This requires a clear-way -type pitless. The clear-way requirement applies to all casing sizes, and to open hole wells as well as screened wells. Clear-way means that when the pull pipe, internal drop pipe fitting assembly, actuator, discharge elbow, spool, drop pipe, and pump are removed; no portion of the pitless extends inside the inner wall of the casing. This allows for removal or installation of a full-sized screen or pump, and allows full casing access for rehabilitation or repair. A pitless unit must be at least as large as the casing, and may be larger. A 4-inch pitless may not be placed on a 6-inch casing. However, a 6-inch pitless may be placed on a 4-inch casing. The rules require that no casing threads be exposed on threaded pitless units. Many of the pitless units currently available have threads exposed when the pitless is threaded onto the casing and upper casing extension. The use of pitless units with buried threads is encouraged. However, the department will allow pitless units with exposed threads to be used if the units otherwise meet the standards of these rules and if all exposed threads are corrosion protected by use of a protective coating. The protective coating must be designed to provide corrosion protection for buried steel, and does not include tape or other wrapping products. It is recommended that all water contact components meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61. This allows pitless units (or adapters) which are threaded onto the casing, welded to the casing, bolted with a gasket, clamped with a gasket ( clamp-on type), or compression fittings ( Dresser type or Kwick-connect type). The guide is required for holes cut with a torch, reciprocating saw, or method other than a hole saw. The guide must be followed to cut the correct size hole. Slag, burrs, or rough edges on surfaces which contact a gasket or O -ring must be smoothed. The correct size hole saw must be used in order to prevent leaks. A leak at the pitless is a common cause of bacterial contamination of the well. Leaks may occur from a cross threaded casing or discharge line; undertightened, over-tightened, or broken clamp; irregular shaped hole; missing or defective gasket; separation due to frost; and damage from vehicles. A list of pitless adapters and units which currently meet the standards is included in the appendix. The list only includes approved models commonly available, and does not include models out of production which still may be in stock. Models not on the list may be used if they meet the requirements in these rules. The MDH may be contacted to review additional models. 332

3 Subp. 2. Welded or threaded fitting. A welded or threaded fitting meeting the requirements of part , subpart 2, may be connected to the side, cap, or cover, of a water-supply well casing and be used for venting, remediation, measurement of water levels or testing, treatment, or for an electrical connection. A water discharge line must be connected with a pitless unit or pitless adapter. STAT AUTH: 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; HIST: 33 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] [Repealed 33 SR 211] [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] PRIMING WATER-SUPPLY WELL PUMPS. A pump that requires priming for ordinary use must not be installed on a watersupply well unless the well is only used for a water irrigation system. An irrigation well pump must be primed only with water free of contamination and carrying a measurable chlorine residual. An irrigation well equipped with a centrifugal pump may be primed without chlorination when the pump is filled with water taken directly from the well. This does not prohibit the use of a jet or centrifugal pump, or prelube lines on turbines. It is intended to prohibit pumping equipment that requires opening of the well and introduction of water for each use. This requirement prohibits ordinary pitcher pumps. STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.621; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] WATER-SUPPLY WELL SUCTION LINE. Subpart 1. Construction. As specified in part , a suction line for a water-supply well must be constructed of: Jet pumps operate by creating a partial vacuum, drawing water into the pump. When a jet pump is not located over the well, a single suction line (in the case of a shallow well jet pump), or a suction line and a pressure line (in the case of a two pipe or a deep well jet pump) connect the well with the pump. If the pipe is above ground (and not flooded) and a leak occurs, the pump will break suction and not work. If the line is buried, and a hole or other leak occurs, contaminants and near-surface water may be drawn into the 333

4 system, particularly if the soil is saturated. A suction line may only be buried if it is installed within an outer, concentric pipe with the annular space between the pipes filled with water from the system and maintained at system pressure (concentric piping). A diagram follows subpart 3. Part refers to the Minnesota Plumbing Code, water service pipe standards. The material standards from the Minnesota Plumbing Code are summarized after each material type. A. copper; The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires seamless-tube, Type K soft-temper or Type L soft-temper copper meeting ANSI Standard H23.1 or ASTM Standard B88 with brass or bronze flare fittings or cast bronze and wrought solder joint pressure fittings. B. galvanized iron or steel; The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires steel pipe to be Schedule 40 or above and meet ANSI Standard B36.1 or B36.20, or ASTM Standard A53, and wrought iron pipe must be Schedule 40 and above and meet ANSI B36.2. Fittings must be malleable fittings 150 pounds per square inch and above meeting ANSI Standard B16.3 or ASTM Standard A197, or steel unions meeting FS Standard WW-V-531 C. All exposed threads must be coal tar enamel coated and wrapped. C. cast iron; The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires cast iron-mechanical (gland type) pipe meeting ANSI Standards A21.11, A21.2, A21.4, A21.6, or A21.8 with water-service fittings meeting ANSI A21.10; and with bends, tees, and plugs anchored by rods; and thrust blocks or anchor rods behind all changes of direction of 45 degrees or greater. D. plastic pipe. The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires plastic pipe to be at least 150 pounds per square inch minimum working pressure for municipal water service and 100 pounds per square inch for other service. The materials allowed include: polyethylene meeting ASTM Standard D2239 or D2737, or ANSI Standard B72.1; ABS pipe meeting ASTM Standard D2282, or ANSI Standard B72.3; PVC pipe meeting ASTM Standard D2241 or D1785, or ANSI B72.2; and polybutylene meeting ASTM Standard D2662 or D2666. For well water irrigation systems, aluminum pipe may also be used. Subp. 2. Extensions. A suction line extending outside the well casing must be protected by being: A. fully exposed in a building as specified in part ; BUILDING REQUIREMENTS The building must be constructed at or above the established ground surface. If a floor drain is installed, it must discharge to the established ground surface, a gravel pocket, or a sewer constructed to prevent backup of sewage within 50 feet of the well. Materials or chemicals that may cause contamination of the well or groundwater, including fertilizers, pesticides, petroleum products, paints, and cleaning solvents, must not be stored in the building. 334

5 Any door must be hinged to swing outward. There must be a durable watertight concrete floor. The building must be constructed exclusively to contain and protect the well, pump, water treatment equipment and water treatment chemicals. No other uses of the building are permitted. The building must not be contained in, or part of, another building, except that a well house may be constructed with not more than one wall in common with another building. The common wall must not allow access to, or be open to, the well house. B. fully exposed above the established ground surface; or C. installed within an outer, concentric pipe with the annular space between the pipes filled with water from the system and maintained at system pressure. Concentric piping is simply placing one pipe inside another, (see Figure 27). The inner (suction) pipe is protected by the outer (pressure) pipe. If a hole develops, surface water or soil will not be drawn into the water stem. On a shallow well system, the space between the pipes is filled with water at system pressure, but is not circulated. On a deep well suction system, the water between the pipes is circulated down the well to the jet or venturi as the drive water. Concentric piping is the only legal option for a buried suction line. Connecting concentric pipe requires a special concentric pitless, special fittings such as concentric seal crosses or ball elbows, and accurate cutting and careful assembly of pipes. Subp. 3. Exception. An unprotected suction line may be installed below the established ground surface for an irrigation well if the well is: A. located in an agricultural field; B. installed in an unconfined aquifer in unconsolidated material; and C. used for a manifold collection system under negative pressure. STAT AUTH: MS s 103I.101; 103I.221; 103I.301; 103I.621; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR

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7 [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] WATER-SUPPLY WELL PUMP DISCHARGE LINES. A buried discharge line between a water-supply well casing and the pressure tank in an installation, including a deep well turbine or a submersible pump, must not be under negative pressure at any time. If a check valve is installed in a buried water line between the well casing and the pressure tank, the water line between the well casing and the check valve must meet the requirements of part unless equipped with a vacuum release or combination air release and vacuum release device located between the check valve and the well. Pump discharge lines must be constructed of materials approved in part , subpart 1. Minnesota Rules, part refers to suction lines, and contains the requirement for concentric plumbing. If a check valve is installed in the buried portion of the water discharge line, the piping must be concentric, unless a vacuum-release valve is installed. A vacuum-release valve may also be referred to as a vacuum air-release or vacuum-relief valve for water service. Devices such as the Watts N36 or equivalent provide vacuum protection but do not discharge trapped air. Devices such as the Val Matic model 100 through 116 provide protection from a vacuum and exhaust trapped air. Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725 require that pump discharge line materials be copper, galvanized iron or steel, cast iron, or plastic pipe meeting the standards of the Minnesota Plumbing Code, part , for water service pipe (water line between well and pressure tank). The requirements of the Minnesota Plumbing Code, part are summarized above in Minnesota Rules, part , and are not found in the appendix. The drop pipe or turbine column in a well is not considered part of the pump discharge line for purposes of these rules. The rules do not contain material standards for drop pipe or column. MINNESOTA PLUMBING CODE WATER-SERVICE LINE REQUIREMENTS In addition to the material standards for pump discharge lines (water service pipe) which reference the material standards of the Minnesota Plumbing Code, potable water service lines must meet the installation standards of the Minnesota Plumbing Code, part The Minnesota Plumbing Code requirements of part are summarized below. The rule part is not reproduced in the appendix. The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires a 10-foot separation between a water-service line and a building drain or sewer. If a 10-foot separation cannot be maintained, the administrative authority (local government enforcing the Minnesota Plumbing Code) may allow the water and sewer line in the same trench, less than 10 feet apart, if the bottom of the water line is at least 12 inches higher than the sewer, and if the water pipe is placed on a shelf on one side of the trench. Both the sewer and water pipes must be air tested. Where the 10-foot separation cannot be maintained and the 12-inch vertical separation and location on the shelf cannot be maintained, the administrative authority may allow a closer separation if the sewer pipe is approved plastic or cast iron and the water pipe is copper, cast iron, or plastic and both are air tested. Where the water line must cross the sewer line, the water line must be at least 12 inches higher than the sewer within 10 feet of the crossing. Where this is not feasible, the sewer must be of approved materials from at least 10 feet on either side of the crossing. 337

8 The Minnesota Plumbing Code requires a water service line to be a minimum of 10 feet from a cesspool, septic tank, septic tank drainage field, seepage pit, soil treatment system, buried tank containing petroleum or chemicals, or any other source of pollution. STAT AUTH: 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; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] PRESSURE TANKS FOR WATER-SUPPLY WELLS. Subpart 1. Venting. A pressure relief or air release valve on a pressure tank that contains subterranean gas and is located in a building must be vented to the outside. The venting requirement is intended to prevent the build-up of potentially toxic or explosive gasses (i.e., methane or hydrogen sulfide) in confined spaces (i.e., basements or well rooms) where pressure tanks are located. This applies primarily to hydropneumatic-pressure tanks without a bladder or other airwater separation (galvanized tanks). Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725 do not require a pressure release valve on a pressure tank, but one is recommended. In some circumstances, high-pressure submersible pumps can produce sufficient pressures to rupture (explode) a pressure tank. Typical submersible pumps are set with a 40 psi cut-in and 60 psi cut-out. A 75 or 80 psi release valve offers protection to pressure tanks that commonly have maximum (new) working pressure ratings of 90 to 125 psi. Subp. 2. Buried tanks. A buried or partially buried pressure tank installed on a water-supply well must: A. be identified with the manufacturer's name, a serial number, the allowable working pressure, and the year fabricated; B. have an interior coating that complies with ANSI/NSF Standard e if the tank has an interior coating in contact with water; An interior tank coating is not required. However, if the tank has a coating, the coating must meet ANSI/NSF Standard 61. NSF publishes a quarterly booklet of listed products, their website contains a list, and products are marked with the NSF logo. C. have a minimum one-fourth inch wall thickness for a steel pitless adapter tank attached directly to the well casing; D. have all connections to the pressure tank welded or threaded; and E. be installed above the water table. A list of approved, buried pressure tanks is contained in the appendix. A pressure tank with a galvanized interior coating or other component which exceeds 8 percent lead may not be used. 338

9 The DLI, Boiler Division, has reported that all water-pressure tanks using air as a pressurant, located in commercial or public buildings, or in apartment buildings larger than a six-plex, must be inspected and certified by the DLI. Pressure tanks located on public supplies serving businesses, churches, and communities are included. Pressure tanks used in commercial or public buildings which are 120 gallons or larger must be rated by the ASME. Tanks with volumes less than 5 cubic feet and having a 100 pound, ASME relief valve are exempt from the ASME tank rating requirements. STAT AUTH: 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; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] VENTING WATER-SUPPLY WELLS. Subpart 1. Venting exceptions. A water-supply well must be vented unless the well: A. is a flowing well; B. casing is used as a suction pipe; C. has a packer jet assembly; D. is used as a remedial well; or E. is constructed with a watertight seal in lieu of a casing extension as specified in part , subpart 2. A vent is required to eliminate negative pressure from occurring when the pump starts and the water level drops. Negative pressure can draw in contaminants through electrical conduits or other connections to the casing. A vent also exhausts toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide which can cause asphyxiation in confined spaces such a well house, and exhausts explosive gases such as methane. Vents are not required for flowing wells, wells with packer-jet pumps, remedial wells, wells that use the casing as a suction pipe, and wells in areas where the regional flood level is more than 5 feet above the ground surface. The venting requirement does not prohibit the use of a drawdown seal installed below the static water level in a well. However, the use of drawdown seals above the static water level is prohibited and the use of drawdown seals is generally not recommended. Subp. 2. Vent construction. A well vent must: A. be constructed of materials complying with parts to , or , subpart 1; B. have watertight joints and terminate at least five feet above the regional flood level unless provided with a watertight seal as specified in part , subpart 2; 339

10 C. terminate a minimum of 12 inches above the established ground surface or the floor of a building as specified in part , except that a vent for a community public water-supply well must terminate a minimum of 18 inches above the established ground surface and the floor of a building as specified in part ; D. be screened with a noncorrosive mesh screen having openings of 1/16 -inch or less and pointed downward; and E. be connected to the casing according to part The vent must be constructed of well casing materials (Minnesota Rules, parts through ), or materials approved for pump suction and discharge lines (Minnesota Rules, part , subpart 1). The regional flood is the 100-year flood and is explained in Minnesota Rules, part , subpart 40b. If the flood level is more than 5 feet above the ground surface, Minnesota Rules, part , subpart 2, allows the casing to terminate: 10 feet above the ground if a watertight seal without a vent is installed; 2 feet above the ground if an outer cement-grouted protective casing and waterproof threaded cap or compression seal are installed; or 2 feet above ground if a sealed, flowing well pitless, and a waterproof nonvented well cap are installed The vent and the top of the casing must both terminate at least 12 inches above grade, or 12 inches above the floor of a well house. If the casing is exactly 12 inches above the ground surface and an overlapping cap with a built-in underside vent is used, the vent will terminate too low. In this case, the casing should be left more than 12 inches above-grade. The vent for a community public water-supply well must be 18 inches above-grade as required in Minnesota Rules, part Screened openings must be 16 mesh or less (16 squares per inch, essentially window screen size) and be constructed of a noncorrosive material such as brass, aluminum, or fiberglass. Upside down U -shaped vents or mushroom-type vents may be used. All vents, whether constructed on a water-supply well or another type of well, must meet the requirements of this part. The practice of drilling a hole in a casing is not an approved venting method. Subp. 3. Screened vents. A screened vent incorporated into the underside of a well cap or cover may be used. Minimum vent diameter or open area sizes have not been established; however, very small diameter vents on the underside of caps may provide inadequate air flow and result in the freezing of the vent in winter or plugging with debris. Also, it has been observed that some under-cap screens are not securely fastened to the cap and can fall out. Care should be taken to use a vent of adequate size, quality, and construction. 340

11 Subp. 4. Gas. Any toxic or flammable gas must be vented from the well to the outside atmosphere. STAT AUTH: 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; ; ; ; ; ; ; HIST: 17 SR 2773; 33 SR HYDROFRACTURING WATER-SUPPLY WELLS. Subpart 1. Scope. This part applies to hydrofracturing a water-supply well, as defined in part , 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. Hydrofracturing is the process of injecting water into (igneous or metamorphic) bedrock at pressures high enough to open existing fractures or create new fractures in order to increase water yield. Hydrofracturing uses one or more (typically two) inflatable packers to isolate a portion of the formation. This is done to concentrate the pressures in a more localized area, and avoid fracturing areas that may compromise the integrity of the well, produce sediment, or produce little water. The packer (or packers) is inflated, and high pressure water, commonly from 500 to 2,000 psi, is pumped into the formation. The water may open existing fractures wider, propagate fractures further, and in some cases create new fractures. Hydrofracturing is not always successful, and carries risks. Hydrofracturing involves high pressures capable of damaging wells, affecting nearby wells, and causing injuries to workers and bystanders. Hydrofracturing a dry hole is rarely successful. Wells producing a few tenths of a gallon per minute to a few gallons per minute are the typical candidates for hydrofracturing. A hydrofracturing job is often considered successful if the yield increases from 1/2 to a few times the original. Minnesota Rules, Chapter 4725 allow only a water-supply well completed in igneous or metamorphoric rock to be hydrofractured. However, a variance may be granted for other wells or borings in appropriate situations. The variance allows for review of the specific circumstances. Only a full licensed well contractor (not a limited contractor) may hydrofracture. 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 e as determined by a person accredited by the ANSI under ANSI Standard Z C. Proppants may be used to hold the joints and fractures open, and must be inert, clean, and nontoxic materials, including chlorinated, non-calcareous, washed sand. The rules do not allow surface water to be used for hydrofracturing, unless the surface water is the treated potable water from a public system that draws its supply from a surface water source. 341

12 Proppants are granular materials sometimes injected along with the water to hold fractures open. Proppants are not commonly used in Minnesota, but when they are, round quartz sand grains are typically used. Ceramic beads are less frequently used. 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 and The restrictions are designed to prevent damage to the well casing, and prevent interconnection of surface or near surface contaminants with the well. Examples of igneous or metamorphoric bedrock include granite, gneiss, basalt, and quartzite. Sandstone and limestone are not igneous or metamorphic rocks. In order to hydrofracture a new or old well, the well must be in compliance with all of the isolation or setback distances in rule. A notification or permit is not required for hydrofracturing; however, reporting is required as described below. 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 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 ; and D. complete and submit a well and boring construction record, or amended record, within 30 days of completion of hydrofracturing. Additives do not include proppants, but do include any treatment chemicals injected. The disinfection and water sample requirements are the same as for a new well since the hydrofracturing opens the well, injects water, and creates fractures that may connect new water sources. If hydrofracturing is occurring at the time of well construction, a single well and boring construction record using the official preprinted form should be completed. If hydrofracturing occurs at a later date, and the contractor who drilled the well is hydrofracturing the well, the contractor may photocopy the original well record, amend the record to report the hydrofracturing, and submit the amended photocopy. If the contractor hydrofracturing the well did not drill the well, a work copy Well and Boring Record 342

13 should be completed. A search should be made for the Minnesota unique well number by looking for the well tag, searching County Well Index, or asking the well owner. If the Minnesota unique well number is found, it should be reported on the work copy; otherwise the well number should be left blank. STAT AUTH: 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 HIST: 33 SR [Repealed, 17 SR 2773] 343

14 End of Pitless, Pumps, Vents, Hydrofracturing Section 344