§ 37-124. Construction materials and practices.

(a)

Well casing. The well casing and liners forming the permanent well shall be constructed of durable material sufficient to protect the well against structural deficiencies during the construction and against entrance of pollutants during the expected life of the well.

(1)

The minimum standard of quality for casing material, when serving as the sole means of casing a well, other than a dug well, shall be steel pipe as specified in Table I.

(2)

Pipe used for casing a well shall be joined watertight. The thread may be either a standard pipe thread or approved special drive pipe thread with corresponding couplings. Watertight welded joints may be used.

(3)

Every well casing shall be driven or installed so that no injury results to the pipe or the joints thereof.

(b)

Grouting. All grouting shall be performed by adding the mixture from the bottom of the space to be grouted toward the surface in one (1) continuous operation.

(1)

Sealing materials used in the construction of wells shall be of a character that will facilitate proper placement and thereafter assume a permanent, watertight and durable form.

(2)

Where cement grout is required it shall consist of either Portland cement or quick setting cement mixed with not more than six (6) gallons of water per sack of cement.

(3)

Up to five (5) percent bentonite clay may be added to improve the flow qualities and reduce shrinkage.

(4)

Approved heavy weight additives such as barite and ilenite may be mixed with concrete grout or neat cement to increase the weight of such materials.

(c)

Joints. Casing and liner pipe joints shall be watertight.

(d)

Outer casing. Outer construction or temporary casing installed without driving may be standard pipe weight or lighter weight, but lightweight materials shall be of such minimum thickness as is required to withstand the structural load imposed by conditions both inside and outside the well. Any annular space shall be filled with cement grout, clay slurry, tamped clay, or other materials of equivalent sealing quality.

(e)

Well screens. Well screen openings shall provide the maximum amount of open area, consistent with strength and grading of the waterbearing formation, and shall permit maximum transmitting ability without clogging or jamming.

(f)

Capping. Temporary capping of a well until the pumping equipment is installed shall be such that no pollutants can enter the well.

(g)

Yield test. Before being put into use every public supply well or well eight (8) inches in diameter or larger shall be tested for yield. The pump shall have a capacity at least equal to the pumping rate which it is expected the well will pump during its usage. The test pump shall be installed to operate continuously until the water level has stabilized and, at this point, the yield and drawdown determined. Periodic water level observations shall be made during the drawdown and subsequent recovery periods.

(h)

Alignment. The alignment of the well shall not interfere with the installation and operation of the pump.

(i)

Upper terminal of well. The watertight casing or curbing of any well shall extend not less than six (6) inches above the pumphouse floor or cover installed above the established ground surface. Any vent opening, observation ports and air equipment shall extend from the upper terminal of the well by watertight piping to a point not less than twelve (12) inches above the pumphouse floor or cover installed above the established ground surface. The terminals of these facilities shall be shielded or sealed so as to prevent entrance of foreign matter. A subsurface connection is permitted if made with pitless adapter, or other approved fittings or welded procedures, approved by the building official, provided that the connections must be above groundwater level, and the pump location must not be subject to flooding.

(Code 1965, § 36A-11; Ord. No. 70-5, § 11, 12-31-69; Ord. No. 71-3, § 7, 5-4-71)