[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Straban 11-2-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-05. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure and protect the quality
and suitability of individual water supply systems by a permit procedure;
to require a permit for the construction of individual and semi-public
water supply systems and wells, production wells, test wells and monitoring
wells; and to establish minimum construction standards for these systems,
including their location, installation, reconstruction, replacement,
alteration, modifications, reactivation, or abandonment.
The scope of this chapter applies to all individual and semi-public
(community) water supply systems. Those defined by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection as public water systems (at
least 15 service connections or regularly serving no fewer than 25
individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year) are exempt from
this chapter.
The governing body is hereby authorized and empowered to adopt
such rules and regulations concerning well drilling which it may deem
necessary from time to time to effectuate the purposes herein.
All such rules and regulations adopted by the governing body
shall be in conformity with the provisions herein, all other ordinances
of the Township, and all applicable laws and applicable rules and
regulations of administrative agencies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The governing body shall have the right and power to fix, charge,
and collect fees, assessments and other charges in the municipality
as adopted from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
A.Â
This chapter
shall apply to all wells which have not been completed or which are
not in operation or in operable condition at the time of passage of
this chapter.
B.Â
This chapter
shall apply to alterations to an existing well.
C.Â
This chapter
shall not apply to normal maintenance and minor repairs to keep the
well in proper working order.
The following words and terms when used in this chapter shall
have the following meanings unless the context specifically and clearly
indicates otherwise:
A supply, the regular use of which has been discontinued
for a period of one year or more, or which is in such a state of disrepair
that continued use for the purpose of obtaining groundwater is impracticable,
or which has been replaced by a new well or public water supply.
Any action which necessitates entering a well with drilling
tools; treating a well to increase yield; altering the physical structural
depth of the well; blasting; removal or replacement of well casing.
The space between two cylindrical objects, one of which surrounds
the other, such as the space between a drill hole and a casing pipe
and a liner pipe.
The American National Standards Institute.
The American Petroleum Institute.
A geological formation that contains and transmits water.
The American Society for Testing and Materials.
The American Water Works Association.
The flowing back of used, contaminated or polluted water
from a plumbing fixture or vessel or other sources into a potable
water supply pipe due to negative pressure in such pipe.
The access to the earth's heating and cooling capacity through
a vertical hole constructed with well drilling equipment. The hole
is fitted with a conduit for circulating a liquid. The space around
the conduit and drilled walls is completely and totally filled with
bentonite slurry and bentonite pellets.
An impervious durable pipe placed in a well to prevent the
walls from caving and to seal off surface drainage or undesirable
water, gas or other fluids and prevent their entering the well.
An authorized agent of the Township to administer and enforce
this chapter and other ordinances in the Township.
All of the aerobic and facultative anaerobic, gram-negative,
non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacteria which are capable of fermenting
lactose with gas formation within 48 hours at 35° C.
A water system which serves fewer than 15 service connections
used by year-round residents or regularly serves fewer than 25 year-round
residents.
All acts necessary to obtain groundwater or artificially
recharge groundwater; provided, however, 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 to repressure oil or natural gas formations or
for storing petroleum, natural gas, or other products and services.
Construction of wells includes the location and excavation or drilling
of the well, but excludes the installation of pumps and pumping equipment.
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation,
group or entity employed, hired, contracted or otherwise engaged by
the owner to perform defined services for compensation.
An arrangement allowing either direct or indirect connection
through which backflow, including backsiphonage, can occur between
the drinking water in a public water system and a system containing
a potential source of contamination.
The use of water for domestic use; water that is used by
people or organizations that use their own wells to supply their water,
as opposed to publicly supplied water.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
A well that yields water by artesian pressure at the ground
surface.
The Board of Supervisors of Straban Township, Adams County,
Pennsylvania.
Water found below the land surface. It is found in aquifers,
in the pore spaces of rocks, in unconsolidated sediments, as permafrost,
and as soil moisture. Groundwater flows to the surface naturally at
springs and seeps and can form oases or swamps. It may also be tapped
artificially by the digging of wells.
A permanent watertight joint or connection made by filling
with concrete, neat cement, or other approved impervious material
between the casing and the undisturbed formation surrounding the well
or between two strings of casing.
A system including wells, pumps, and piping equipment, which
supplies water to a private home.
The procedure 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.
No land use permit application will be accepted and/or approved
in the absence of an approved well construction completion report
issued under the terms and conditions of this chapter.
The Township of Straban, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
A public water system which is not a community water system.
The National Sanitation Foundation.
Any person vested with sole or partial, legal or equitable
ownership of property located in the Township.
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation
or other group or entity.
A device or assembly of parts which will permit water to
pass through the wall of the well casing or extension thereof, and
which provides access to the well and to the parts of the water system
within the well in a manner to prevent entrance of pollution into
the well and the water produced.
A system which provides water to the public for human consumption
which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average
of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year.
The term is either a community or non-community system and includes
collection, treatment, storage and distribution facilities under the
control of the operator of the system and used in connection with
the system. The term also includes a system which provides water for
bottling or bulk hauling for human consumption.
A water supply which services one or several facilities such
as industrial or commercial establishments, parks, camps, hotels,
motels, schools, institutions, eating and drinking establishments
or a water supply which services two or more dwelling units and is
not a public water system as defined by the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking
Water Act (35 P.S. 721.1 et seq.).
Straban Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania, a governmental
jurisdiction or governing body represented by the Board of Township
Supervisors.
An excavation or structure created in the ground by digging,
driving, boring or drilling to access water in underground aquifers.
Any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven,
dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed when the intended use of such
excavation is for the location, acquisition or artificial recharge
of groundwater. This includes but is not limited to test wells, test
borings, and monitoring wells, in addition to wells to be utilized
as individual or semi-public water supplies as well as geothermal
systems.
An individual or company that is licensed by the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania to drill wells in Pennsylvania.
An approved device or method used to protect a well casing
or water system from the entrance of any external pollutant at the
point of entrance into the casing of a pipe, electric conduit or water
level measuring device.
A metal marking device supplied by the well driller for installation
on the well cap for every new or reconstructed water well or geothermal
well.
The owner of the property on which a well for domestic water
geothermal wells and geothermal borehole(s) use is to be utilized
shall:
A.Â
Apply to
the Township for a well permit, providing on the prescribed form:
name and address of applicant, name and address of landowner where
well is to be drilled, name and address and license number of well
driller, site location and address, and proposed date for drilling
to begin. A site plan (sketch) showing the location of existing or
proposed buildings, driveways, septic systems within isolation distance
as required by DEP, including adjoining properties, and other wells
must be attached to the application.
B.Â
Have all
wells constructed by a qualified Pennsylvania licensed well driller
to meet, at a minimum, the rules and regulations of this chapter and
any administrative agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The source of supply shall be from a water-bearing formation
drawn not less than 35 feet from the ground surface. Capped wells
shall be located at a point free from flooding, at a higher elevation
(wherever possible) and at the following minimum setback distances
to existing or potential sources of pollution:
|
Source of Pollution
|
Minimum Setback Distance
(feet)
|
|---|---|
|
Lakes, ponds, streams or other surface waters, delineated wetlands,
and floodplains
|
25
|
|
Storm drains, retention basins, stabilization ponds or stormwater
management facilities
|
25
|
|
Preparation area or storage area of hazardous spray materials,
fertilizers or chemicals, salt piles
|
100
|
|
Gravity sewer lines and drains carrying domestic sewage or industrial
waste
|
50
|
|
Septic tanks, aerobic tanks or holding tanks
|
50
|
|
Subsurface sewage disposal systems, elevated sand mounds, other
sewage disposal fields
|
100
|
|
Sewage seepage pits, cesspools
|
100
|
|
Farm silos, barnyards, privies and fuel tanks
|
100
|
|
Rainwater pits, ditches
|
25
|
|
Spray irrigation sites, sewage sludge and septage disposal sites
|
100
|
|
Property lines, driveways, and private roads, and public sewer
laterals
|
10
|
|
Dedicated public right-of-way
|
20
|
|
Building foundations (except for buildings enclosing water wells
and/or water well pumps and any other source of pollution as approved)
|
30
|
A.Â
Casing.
All wells supplying individual or semi-public water supplies shall
be equipped with watertight and durable wrought iron, steel, plastic
(PVC) or other type approved casing with a minimum wall thickness
of 0.1875 for iron and 0.175 for PVC (Schedule 80).
(1)Â
The
sections of casing shall be joined together by threaded couplings
or joints, welding or other watertight approved method. The casing
shall be carried to a minimum depth of 20 feet finished grade and
then extended an additional five feet into firm bedrock or other impervious
strata and grouted in place. Casing and grouting must be compatible.
Pressure grouting is required for all wells by running tremie pipe
to bottom along casing. Cement concrete or bentonite is encouraged
for use in grouting. Casing shall extend at least 12 inches above
ground surface so that contaminated water or other substances cannot
enter the well through the annular opening at the top of the well
casing, wall or pipe sleeve. The borehole should be three inches larger
than the outside diameter of casing to allow for grout.
(2)Â
In
areas known to be contaminated, the minimum depth for casing shall
be 40 feet. The criteria established in AWWA Standards A100-84 must
be followed.
B.Â
Ferrous
casing. If ferrous casing is used, it shall be new pipe meeting ASTM
or API specifications for water well construction. It shall be equipped
with a drive shoe or other effective casing seal and have full circumference
welds or threaded pipe joints.
C.Â
Geothermal
closed loop system: a geothermal heat exchanger that circulates a
nontoxic antifreeze heat transfer fluid through a loop or multiple
loops of polyethylene piping installed below the ground surface or
within a surface water body. Vertical loops installed in boreholes
must be installed by certified contractors and loops sealed with bentonite
by pressure grouting using tremie pipes.
D.Â
Geothermal
open loop system: a geothermal heat exchanger that utilizes groundwater
as a direct energy source. Groundwater is drawn from an aquifer through
one well, passes through the heat pump's heat exchanger, and is discharged
to the same aquifer through a second well at a distance from the first.
Generally, two gallons to three gallons per minute per ton of capacity
are necessary for effective heat exchange. Open loop geothermal wells
must meet all requirements of this chapter. Groundwater used in an
open loop system must be returned to the groundwater in a second well.
E.Â
Nonferrous
casing, If nonferrous casing is used, it shall meet appropriate ANSI,
ASTM or NSF standards for water well casing applications. It shall
not be driven.
F.Â
Grouting:
An annular space shall be provided between the well casing and the
earth formation of a radius at least 1.5 inches greater than the casing
radius, excluding coupling for internal pressure grouting, or 1.5
inches greater than the casing radius, excluding coupling for external
grouting. It shall be completely filled with approved grout materials
in one continuous operation under pressure from the bottom of the
casing to the natural ground surface within 24 hours of completion
of drilling. No activity in and around the well shall occur within
48 hours after grouting of the casing, or within two hours if using
bentonite.
(1)Â
In
the event that grouting is done following completion of all drilling
operations, all obstructions must be completely cleared prior to placement
of grout material. The casing shall be sealed by grouting a minimum
of 15 feet each above and below any polluted or undesirable water-bearing
zone.
(2)Â
During
the installation of a pitless adapter, grout material may be removed
from the exterior of the casing in order to provide a watertight seal
between the casing and this adapter. For such an adapter, a ditch
at least three feet deep will be required along with conduits, stone,
dust or sand. A sanitary well cap shall be incorporated for protection
from leakage and identification of the well respectively.
G.Â
Packers.
Packers, when used, shall be of material that will not impact taste
adversely, odor, toxic substances or bacterial contamination to the
well water.
H.Â
Gravel
packs. Gravel packs, when used, shall be 95% siliceous material and
placed in uniform continuous operation. Refill pipes shall be Schedule
40 steel and in the annular opening surrounded by a minimum of 1.5
inches of grout. Protection from leakage shall be guaranteed.
I.Â
Pits.
Pit installations are discouraged where the casing terminates below
the ground surface. If they must be used, the floor shall be a watertight
reinforced concrete platform at least four inches thick and extending
from the casing at least two feet in all directions. The casing shall
extend upward from the floor of the pit for at least 12 inches. The
walls of the pit shall be at least four inches thick of reinforced
concrete or its equivalent. A durable watertight manhole, a minimum
of two feet in diameter, shall be installed in the top of the pit,
which also shall be a reinforced concrete slab of at least four inches
in thickness. Pit installations shall not be used in flood-prone areas
or fluctuating water tables, which rise within one foot of the bottom
of the proposed pit. Where pipes enter the pit, the annular space
between the pipes and the wall shall be effectively sealed in a watertight
permanent manner.
J.Â
Pitless
installations. Pitless installations are those where the casing terminates
above the ground surface. Where used, they shall be effectively sealed.
All buried suction lines shall be encased. The access casing shall
be protected against corrosion and shall extend at least 12 inches
above the natural ground surface and to a point below the frost line.
This area shall be designed for blockage of water, insects, and rodents.
Pitless adapters cannot be installed with torch or flame, but must
be installed using a hole saw or drill.
K.Â
Well screens.
Well screens shall provide a maximum amount of open area while still
maintaining structural strength. They shall have the size of openings
based on a sieve analysis to preclude entry by sand, silt, and other
undesirable elements.
L.Â
Well cap.
A secure, screened, varmint-free, vented well cap shall be installed
on all wells to prevent any surface pollutants from entering the well
or any vandalism to the well or aquifer. In the event of a flowing
well, the well cap must stop overflow from well. Well caps shall extend
downward at least two inches over the outside of the well casing or
wall. All well caps shall indicate the well driller's name, depth
of well and depth of casing.
M.Â
Well tag.
An identification tag must be permanently attached to each new or
reconstructed water well or each geothermal well. These tags shall
be supplied by the well driller.
N.Â
Venting.
Where venting is required, an overlapping screened cover or pipe with
an opening facing downward shall be required. In no case shall openings
be less than 12 inches from the ground or the floor in case of pit
installations.
O.Â
Monitoring
wells. Monitoring wells shall be designed so as to minimize potential
contamination of the aquifer and to maximize the information obtained
from each such well.
P.Â
Heat pumps.
Heat pump (geothermal) installations shall be designed and constructed
to provide an effective watertight seal with the well casing or water
storage reservoir and to prevent contamination from reaching the water
chamber or interior pump surfaces. In closed loop systems, holes must
be grouted from bottom to top with cement or bentonite. Open loop
systems must conform to the same requirements as water wells.
Q.Â
Power pump installations. The base installed directly over a well casing or pipe sleeve shall be designed to provide an effective watertight seal. It shall be located in a flood-free area. Where power pumps are placed in pits, they shall comply with Subsection I above, and shall be ventilated with a pipe of at least 1.5 inches in diameter. The pump and related equipment shall permit convenient access, removal, maintenance and repair. The suction opening shall be placed at least two feet below the maximum drawdown of the water in the well. However, it shall be located at a sufficient distance from the bottom of the well so as to prevent agitation of accumulated sediment.
R.Â
A permit
is required for any existing well water supply that is to be abandoned.
(1)Â
Drilled
wells shall be filled and sealed by cement, concrete grout or bentonite.
Hand-dug wells shall be filled with clean stone to within four feet
of the top of the well, then concrete to within two feet of ground
level. The well driller shall send a copy to the Township of any well
abandonment report prepared by the contractor for the state.
(2)Â
Dry
wells being abandoned must be filled with clean stone and the top
18 feet filled with cement or bentonite; however, the top two feet
may be covered with topsoil after any casing is removed or cut off
at least two feet below ground service.
S.Â
Disinfection.
Following completion of construction, the well shall be pumped continuously
until the water discharge is clear. It shall be filled with water
containing concentration of not less than 100 parts per million of
free chlorine. A portion of this solution shall be recirculated directly
to the well in order to ensure proper agitation. The water shall not
be used for a period of 24 hours. Other combinations of water/chlorine
concentration and time interval may be used if demonstrated equally
effective. Disposal of the purged water shall be at a point so as
to minimize adverse effects to aquatic life and in no way directed
into any subsurface sewage disposal system. One ounce of dry calcium
hypochlorite dissolved in 52.5 gallons of water makes the proper strength
disinfectant solution. The discharge shall not be permitted to flow
into wetlands, waterways or adjoining properties.
T.Â
Cross-connections:
If pump and piping is not installed by a well driller, the owner is
responsible for proper installation of check valves and backflow protection.
Backflow protectors must be incorporated into the system and be used
as needed for each outside water hose connectors. At least two check
valves must be incorporated into each water system that derives water
from a well. For semi-public water supplies, this device is required
to be installed at any fixed potable water outlet to which a hose
may be connected.
U.Â
Well analysis.
After well disinfection, water samples for pH, total solids, iron,
nitrate-nitrogen, and coliform bacteria shall be collected and analyzed.
The owner or his representative shall utilize the appropriate means
and methods for sampling and stabilization, and obtain sample analysis
from a certified lab. One copy of the analysis results shall be provided
to the owner of the well and one copy provided to the Township.
V.Â
Well construction
completion report. One copy of the well driller's permit as submitted
to PA USGS, as may be amended, shall be submitted to the Township.
In addition, the remaining copies of this form shall be distributed
as directed, including one copy to the owner. In the case of geothermal
wells and boreholes, a report must be filed indicating that the well
or borehole was constructed in accordance with this chapter.
W.Â
Dug wells.
No new dug wells will be permitted in the Township due to the great
danger of pollution and the unreliability of the water supply.
A.Â
No individual
or semi-public water supply for human consumption shall be constructed
or altered where a public water system connection is within 150 feet
of the existing or proposed structure and public water service is
available to that site.
B.Â
Wells
for agriculture or other purposes, excluding human consumption, shall
be permitted regardless of public water availability.
C.Â
Cross-connections
between an individual or semi-public water supply and the public water
system shall be prohibited.
An application fee shall be paid at the time the completed application
for a well construction permit is presented to the Township office.
In no case shall the application be approved prior to payment of this
fee.
A.Â
Upon discovery
of any violation of this chapter, the Township of Straban may, at
its option, forego any prosecution hereunder, and may grant to the
owner a period of seven calendar days to comply with the provisions
of this chapter. Upon failure of the owner to effect such compliance,
the Township may initiate prosecution as hereinafter set forth.
B.Â
Any person
who violates or permits the violation of this chapter, any amendments
hereto, or any rules and regulations established pursuant to this
chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in an action brought
before a magisterial district judge in the same manner provided for
the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of
Criminal Procedure, pay the fine set by the Board of Supervisors below
plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney fees, incurred
by the municipality in any enforcement proceeding. The Municipal Solicitor
may assume charge of the prosecution without the consent of the District
Attorney as required under PA R. Crim. P. No. 83(c) (relating to trial
and summary cases). In addition, any such person who violates or permits
the violation of this chapter, its amendments, or rules and regulations
promulgated pursuant hereto shall be liable for damages or restitution
in any additional amount determined in such enforcement proceeding.
Violations of this chapter shall be punishable by a fine of not less
than $100 or more than $1,000. A separate offense shall arise for
each day or portion thereof in which a violation is found to exist
or for each section of the chapter, its amendments, or the rules and
regulations promulgated pursuant hereto which is found to have been
violated.
In addition to any remedies provided in this chapter, any violation of §§ 135-10 and 135-11C above shall constitute a nuisance and shall be abated by the municipality or the governing body by either seeking mitigation of the nuisance, by institution of a suit or suits in equity to retrain or prevent violations of the aforesaid sections, or by seeking a mandatory preliminary injunction under any applicable law, or by seeking other legal relief from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Approval of an application and issuance of a permit for a well
on the property described on the application does not constitute any
guarantee or warranty by Straban Township regarding quantity or quality
of water that may be obtained as a result of any well drilled under
this permit. This permit provides Straban Township's approval to drill
a well at the site shown on the application, and does not provide
any other guarantees, approval, warranties, etc.
