Definition(s)
Tophole Water
Tophole water—Water that is brought to the surface while drilling through the strata containing fresh groundwater and water that is fresh groundwater or water that is from a body of surface water. Tophole water may contain drill cuttings typical of the formation being penetrated but may not be polluted or contaminated by additives, brine, oil or man induced conditions.
Source: Oil and Gas Wells, Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 78, December 2012. Regulations