[Added 12-20-1999 by Ord. No. 99-13]
The purpose of this article is to prevent contamination
of groundwater and to protect public health, safety and welfare by
assuring that unused, unsafe or noncomplying wells, wells which may
serve as conduits for contamination, or wells which may be illegally
cross-connected to the municipal Water System are properly abandoned.
This article applies to all wells located on
premises served by the Chester Borough Public Water System.
As used in this article, the following words
and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended:
A well or pump installation which does not comply with the
provisions of applicable state law, or with applicable provisions
of this chapter, or with applicable standards and regulations promulgated
by the Board of Health of the Borough of Chester.
The pump and related equipment used for withdrawing water
for a well, including the discharge piping, the underground connections,
pitless adapters, pressure tanks, pits, sampling faucets and well
seals or caps.
A well or pump installation which produces water which is
bacteriologically contaminated or contaminated with substances in
excess of the standards set by state legislation and regulations thereunder.
A well or pump installation which is not in use or does not
have a functional pumping system.
An excavation; or opening into the ground made by digging,
boring, drilling, driving or other methods for the purpose of obtaining
water for consumption or for other use.
The filling and sealing of a well.
All wells located on premises served by the
Water System shall be abandoned in accordance with the terms of this
article no later than 120 days from the date of connection of the
building served to the Water System, unless a well operation permit
has been obtained by the well owner from the Board of Health.
The Board of Health may grant a permit to a
private well owner to operate a well for a period not to exceed five
years, providing the conditions of this article are met. All owners
may request renewal of such well operation permit by submitting information
verifying that the conditions of this article are met. The Board of
Health may conduct inspections or have water quality tests conducted
at the applicant's expense to obtain or verify information necessary
for consideration of a permit application or renewal. Permit applications
and renewals shall be made on forms provided by the Clerk. Each of
the following conditions must be met for issuance or renewal of a
well operation permit:
A.
The well and pump installation meet or are upgraded
to meet the requirements of applicable state law. No permit shall
be issued for utilization of a noncomplying well.
B.
The well construction and pump installation are not
currently unsafe and have a history of producing bacteriologically
safe water as evidenced by at least two samplings taken a minimum
of two weeks apart.
C.
There are no cross-connections between the well and
pump installation and the municipal Water System. No fixture shall
be served both by the well and by the municipal Water System.
D.
The proposed use of the well and pump installation
can be justified as being necessary in addition to water provided
by the municipal Water System or as useful in conserving water.
E.
No unused well for any building shall be returned
to active use subsequent to the connection of the building to the
Water System unless a permit has been obtained pursuant to the requirements
of this article.
A.
All wells abandoned under the jurisdiction of this
article shall be abandoned according to the procedures and methods
required by state law, and the regulations of the Board of Health.
All debris, pumps, piping, unsealed liners and any other obstructions
which may interfere with sealing operations shall be removed prior
to abandonment.
B.
The owner of the well or the owner's agent shall notify
the Borough Clerk at least five days prior to commencement of any
well abandonment activities. The abandonment of the well shall be
observed by a designated representative of the Board of Health.
C.
An abandonment certificate supplied by the Board of
Health shall be provided to the well owner by the Clerk and the Board
of Health within 30 days of the satisfactory completion of the well
abandonment. The Board of Health shall collect a fee for the inspection
and issuance of such certification as provided in its schedule of
fees.
