§ 37-58. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Annular space shall mean the space between two (2) circular objects, one (1) of which surrounds the other, such as the space between any two (2) casings, a drill hole and casing pipe, or between a casing pipe and a linear pipe.

Aquifer shall mean a water-bearing formation that transmits water in sufficient quantities to supply a well. An aquifer is unconfined (water table) or confined (artesian) according to whether the upper surface of the water is at atmospheric pressure or greater than atmospheric pressure.

Board of adjustments and appeals shall mean the Orange County Building Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

Building official shall mean the building official of the county, or his duly authorized representatives.

Casing shall mean a tubular material utilized to shut off strata from the source bed and conduct a liquid from the source bed to the surface or from the surface to the source bed.

Construction of water well shall mean all acts necessary to obtain groundwater by well, including the location and excavation of the well, but excluding the installation of pumps and pumping equipment.

Disinfections shall mean the killing of infectious agents outside the body by chemical or physical means directly applied.

Drawdown shall mean the extent of lowering of the water surface in a well and of the water table or piezometric surface adjacent to the well, resulting from the discharge of water from the well by pumping or natural flow.

Established ground surface shall mean the permanent elevation of the ground of the site of the well.

Grout or grouting materials shall mean any stable impervious bonding materials capable of providing a watertight seal between the casing and the formation throughout the depth required to protect against objectionable matter, and which is reasonably free of shrinkage.

Hole shall mean an excavation used for purposes other than development or recharge of water, or the disposal of wastewaters, or the control of wastewaters. Such uses include but are not restricted to the following: core holes, seismic holes and stratigraphic test holes.

Installation of pumps shall mean the procedures employed in the placement and preparation for operation of pumps and pumping equipment, including all construction involved in making entrance to the well and establishing seals, but not including repairs, to existing installations.

Piezometric surface shall mean the imaginary surface defined by the level to which water will rise in tightly cased wells above the level at which it is encountered in a confined aquifer. It is analogous to the water table of an unconfined aquifer.

Pollution shall mean the contamination of the well contents by any substance in an amount which would cause the liquid to be objectionable or dangerous to health.

Pump installer shall mean any person engaged in the business of installing or repairing pumps and pumping equipment.

Pumps and pumping equipment shall mean any equipment or materials utilized or intended for use in withdrawing or obtaining groundwater for any use, including without limitation, seals and tanks, together with fittings and controls.

Repair shall mean any action which results in a breaking or opening of the well seal or replacement of a pump.

Static water level shall mean the elevation of the surface of the water in a well when no water is being discharged therefrom.

Well shall mean any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven, or otherwise constructed when the intended use of such excavation is for the acquisition, evaluation or artificial recharge of groundwater, but such term does not include an excavation made for the purpose of obtaining or prospecting for oil, natural gas, minerals or products of mining or quarrying or for inserting media or repressure oil or natural gas bearing formation or for storing petroleum, natural gas or other products.

Well, abandoned, shall mean a well whose use has been permanently discontinued. Any well shall be deemed abandoned which is in such a state of disrepair that continued use for the purpose of obtaining water is impracticable.

Well, artesian, shall mean a well in which the water rises above the source bed. It may or may not overflow.

Well, drainage, shall mean any artificial opening in the ground designed to conduct any liquid from the surface of the ground to a source bed.

Well driller shall mean any person who contracts to dig, drill, drive or bore a well or test hole which penetrates any of the rock strata, or undertakes to rehabilitate, cap or plug a well.

Well, nonartesian, or water-table well shall mean a well in which the water does not rise above the source bed.

Well seal shall mean an approved arrangement or device used to cap a well or to establish and maintain a junction between the casing or curbing of a well and the piping or equipment installed therein, the purpose or function of which is to prevent pollutants from entering the well at the upper terminal.

Well, test, shall mean any well constructed for purposes of exploring for groundwater.

Well vent shall mean an outlet at the upper terminal of the well casing to allow equalization of air pressure in the well and escape of toxic or inflammable gases.

(Code 1965, § 36A-3; Ord. No. 70-5, § 3, 12-31-69; Ord. No. 71-3, § 2, 5-4-71; Ord. No. 80-2, § 2, 1-15-80; Ord. No. 92-36, § 8, 11-10-92; Ord. No. 93-02, § 6, 1-19-93)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.