§ 37-121. Well construction and repair.

(a)

Policy. The board of county commissioners' policy is to insure that all wells drilled within the county shall be so constructed, maintained and used that the groundwater resources of the county are protected from overdevelopment, contamination and waste.

(b)

General provisions. The following provisions shall apply to the construction and repair of all water wells (interim or permanent), and/or the installation of all pumps and pumping equipment:

(1)

The construction of all drainage wells and public supply wells shall be in accordance with the requirements of this state.

(2)

If an interim water system is approved, then prior to construction, the following must occur:

a.

A plan for connection to the nearest central system and financing of the tie-in must be approved by the county; and

b.

Prior to construction plan approval of the development the interim system is proposed to serve, normal connection fees associated with the connection to the county's water system must be paid in accordance with county resolutions and ordinances.

(3)

Developments with interim wells approved by the board of county commissioners shall be required to connect to central water systems at the property owner's expense within one (1) year from the date of notification by the county that such central water facilities are available within the stipulated distances approved by the board of county commissioners at the time the interim wells were permitted.

(4)

Every well shall be protected from inflow of surface water. This shall be done by extending the casing aboveground to a point above known or expected floodwater. If a well is located in "Zone A," as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Insurance Administration Flood Hazard Boundary Map H-01-62, then the casing shall be extended to a minimum of twelve (12) inches above existing ground level or as required by the county health department. The requirements of this paragraph shall not be construed to prohibit a well driller from filling above existing ground level after the well has been completed. If this is done, a meter box, curbing, or other approved fittings shall be installed to comply with section 37-124(i).

(5)

All wells shall be cased watertight into the waterbearing bed from which the supply is to be drawn. All casing material shall be in accord with the requirements of Table I. Should it be necessary to reduce the diameter of that casing that bears the water to the surface, a minimum overlap of ten (10) feet shall be maintained at each reduction. The annular space between the smaller casing and the larger casing shall be filled with neat cement throughout the ten-foot minimum overlap, or other approved material may be used.

(6)

All wells shall be surrounded by an area which can be kept in a sanitary condition.

(7)

All wells shall be constructed in such a manner as to maintain, insofar as practicable, existing natural protection against pollution of water-bearing formations and to exclude pollutants from known sources.

(c)

Location of wells. Every well shall be located with due consideration to the size of the lot, contour of the land, slope of the aquifers, porosity and absorbency of the soil, local groundwater condition, end use of the well, and other factors necessary to implement the basic policies as stated in this section. Every well shall be protected against surface wash.

(1)

Each well shall be located in accordance with the county board of health regulations or public supply in accordance with the state board of health regulations, whichever shall apply, as to the distance from septic tanks, drain fields, sewer lines, grease traps, etc.

(2)

No well shall be drilled or constructed less than twenty (20) feet from property line unless a variance is granted by the building official.

(3)

Every well shall be located so as to be accessible for cleaning, treatment, repair, test inspection and such other attention as may be necessary.

(d)

Design. Wells shall be so adapted to the geologic and groundwater conditions existing at the site of the well as to utilize fully every natural sanitary protection afforded thereby. The installation should be designed to facilitate any supplementary construction, to obtain as much of the desired yield as the aquifer may be capable of furnishing and to conserve the groundwater resources.

(e)

Water well construction and pump installation. Water wells shall be:

(1)

Surrounded by an area which can be kept in a sanitary condition.

(2)

Adequate in size, design and development to obtain as much of the desired yield as the aquifer may be capable of furnishing and constructed in such a manner as to maintain, insofar as practicable existing natural protection against pollution of water-bearing formation and to exclude pollutants from known sources.

The pumping equipment shall be installed so that the pump and its surroundings can be kept in a sanitary condition, have a capacity consistent with the water needs, be durable and reliable in character, be constructed of material which will not create a toxic condition in the water and provide reasonable protection against entrance of pollution. For all properties provided potable water service by OCU, the well owner shall be required to install a backflow preventer assembly at the potable water meter to protect the potable water system in case of a cross connection in accordance with the cross connection control program.

(f)

Open hole wells in consolidated rock formations. If a cable drilling machine is used the casing shall be driven through all unconsolidated formation into the rock and properly seated as to effectively seal off all water from the formation above the bottom of the casing. The bottom of the casing shall be protected with a forged steel drive shoe. If a rotary drill machine or reverse circulation or any other method is used that requires a larger boring than the well casing, the well shall penetrate through all unconsolidated formation into the rock. The boring shall be a minimum of six (6) inches larger than the well casing installed and shall be grouted in place as prescribed in section 37-124. No open hole well which enters the consolidated rock formation shall be less than four (4) inches in diameter.

(g)

Unconsolidated aquifers, referred to as shallow wells in sand and shell beds, shall be subject to the following:

(1)

No shallow well or shell well shall be drilled to a depth less than twenty (20) feet, unless approved by the advisory board.

(2)

Any well installed in the unconsolidated aquifers that is gravel packed or has a larger bore than the original pipe, shall have a pit casing no less than fifteen (15) feet and extending one (1) foot above the known flood level and grouted in place according to section 37-124 to prevent pollution entering from the bored hole.

(3)

No well in the unconsolidated aquifers should be of less than two (2) inches inside dimension.

(4)

Every shallow well shall have a concrete pad four (4) inches thick around the well and shall extend eighteen (18) inches on all sides. This pad shall be placed immediately below the tee and suction line and shall be watertight around the casing and slope outwardly.

(5)

A tee of the same size as the casing shall be installed on the top of the well, to allow for proper inspection, introduction of disinfecting agents and for measurements of depth and static water level.

(h)

Flowing artesian wells. Flowing artesian wells shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Every flowing artesian well shall be equipped with a valve so that the flow can be completely stopped.

(2)

The casing on every flowing well shall be maintained in such condition that the flow can be completely stopped.

(3)

Valves on every flowing well shall be maintained in such condition that the flow can be completely stopped.

(i)

Test wells. Test wells shall be subject to the following:

(1)

Application must show purpose of test wells.

(2)

Test wells must meet all specifications for regular wells.

(3)

Test wells not converted to normal use shall be capped.

(j)

Repair of wells. Defective casings shall not be repaired, but shall be pulled and replaced with new casing. Should relining or other repair techniques seem desirable, application must be made to the building official.

(k)

Abandonment of wells. Wells to be abandoned shall be capped with a suitable cap. Before any well is capped, recommendations must be obtained from the state department of natural resources. These recommendations must be complied with and must be in conformance with the requirements of this article for new wells. Applications for capping shall be made through the building official.

(1)

Temporary abandonment: When any well is temporarily removed from service, the top of the well shall be sealed with a watertight cap or seal.

(2)

Permanent abandonment: Any well that is to be permanently abandoned shall be filled, plugged or sealed in such a manner as to prevent the well from being a channel allowing the vertical movement of water and a source of contamination of the ground water supply. The responsibility and expenses of having a well abandoned or sealed shall be borne by the owners.

(l)

Plugging of wells. Notice of intent to plug a well shall be made on forms, available at the county health department. The health department will transmit the forms to the state department of natural resources. Plugging shall be in accordance with the requirements of the state board of conservation, division of water resources.

(m)

Reliners. If a liner or reliners are required in the well, they shall extend to the surface or overlap a minimum of ten (10) feet from the bottom of the outer casing, they shall be grouted top and bottom in accordance with section 37-124.

(Code 1965, § 36A-8; Ord. No. 70-5, § 8, 12-31-69; Ord. No. 77-11, § 2, 12-6-77; Ord. No. 80-2, § 5, 1-15-80; Ord. No. 91- 29, § 2(Exh. A), 12-10-91; Ord. No. 2017-16 , § 2, 8-29-17, effective 1-1-18)