This chapter shall be known and may be cited
as the "Greene Township Individual Water Supply Permit and Well Construction
Standards Ordinance."
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 semipublic 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, repair, replacement, modification, reactivation or
abandonment.
The scope of this chapter applies to all individual
and semipublic water supply systems. Those defined by the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection as public water systems (at
least 15 service connections or regularly serve no fewer than 25 individuals
daily at least 60 days out of the year), are exempt from this chapter.
The following words and terms when used in this
chapter shall have the following meaning unless the context specifically
and clearly indicates otherwise:
ABANDONED SUPPLY
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or which has been replaced by a new well or public water supply.
ALTERATION
Any action which necessitates entering a well with drilling
tools; treating a well to increase yield; altering the physical structure
of depth of the well; blasting; removal or replacement of well casing;
or alterations concerning grouting or curbing.
ANNULAR SPACE
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.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
API
American Petroleum Institute.
AQUIFER
A geological formation that contains and transmits water.
ASTM
American Society for Testing Materials.
AWWA
American Water Works Association.
BACK SIPHONAGE
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.
CASING
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.
CLOSED LOOP GEOTHERMAL BOREHOLE
A boring drilled to facilitate the installation of a pipe
loop or tubing for a ground source heat pump system, whether circulating
water, heat transfer fluid or refrigerant using direct exchange.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
COLIFORM
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 35º C.
COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM
A water system which serves at least 15 service connections
used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round
residents.
CONSTRUCTION OF WELLS
All acts necessary to obtain groundwater, or artificially
recharge groundwater; provided, however, that 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.
CONTRACTOR
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation,
group or entity employed, hired, contracted or otherwise engaged by
the owner to perform defined services for compensation.
CROSS CONNECTION
An arrangement allowing either direct or indirect connection
through which backflow, including back siphonage, can occur between
the drinking water in a public water system and a system containing
a potential source of contamination.
DECOMMISSIONING
The process of properly filling and sealing a well in accordance
with these regulations.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
DEPARTMENT
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
FLOWING WELL
A well that yields water by artesian pressure at the ground
surface.
GEOTHERMAL WELL
A well installed for the purpose of heating or cooling a
facility. This shall include wells drilled as supply and return wells
for an open loop system, or closed loop geothermal boreholes.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
GEOTHERMAL WELL INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR
Any individual in immediate supervision of or responsible
for the drilling of boreholes used for the purpose of geothermal heating
or cooling of a facility; he or she is responsible for boring, pipe
loop installation and backfilling of boreholes used for the installation
of ground source heat pump equipment systems.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMP EQUIPMENT
Any components of a heating or cooling system installed in
a well or borehole. This shall include pumps for supply wells used
solely for heating or cooling and pipe loops for use in closed loop
applications using heat transfer fluid or direct exchange systems.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
GROUNDWATER
Water within the earth below the water table within the zone
of saturation. Groundwater includes both water under water table conditions
and confined within deep aquifers.
GROUT
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.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY
A system including wells, pumps, and piping equipment which
supplies water to a private home.
INSTALLATION OF PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT
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.
MONITORING WELL
A well used to obtain samples of groundwater for the purpose
of water quality analysis.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
OPEN LOOP GEOTHERMAL WELL
A well installed for delivery and return of groundwater supplies
and used also for heating and cooling.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
OWNER
Any person vested with sole or partial, legal or equitable
ownership of property located in the Township.
PITLESS ADAPTOR
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.
PLUME
An area of identified, delineated groundwater or soil contamination
associated with any property considered to be a threat to the surrounding
environment or human health.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
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 noncommunity 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 includes collection or pretreatment storage facilities
not under such control which are used in connection with the system.
The term also includes a system which provides water for bottling
or bulk hauling for human consumption.
PUMP INSTALLATION CONTRACTOR
Any person engaged in the business of installing or repairing
pumps, pumping equipment, drop pipes, pitless adapters and the other
equipment used for the extraction and conveyance of water from the
aquifer to the distribution system of the structure to be served.
PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT
Any equipment or materials utilized or intended for use in
withdrawing or obtaining groundwater, including but not limited to
piping, seals and tanks, together with fittings and controls.
RELOCATION
Any change in location of a proposed well which deviates
from the permitted well location.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
SECOND WELL
Any well drilled on a property where an existing water supply
well already exists.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
SEMIPUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
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.).
TEST WELL
A well drilled for the sole purpose of measuring groundwater
quantity and availability.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
TOWNSHIP
Greene Township, Franklin County, Pennsylvania governmental
jurisdiction or governing body represented by the Board of Township
Supervisors.
WELL
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 semipublic water supplies.
WELL CONTRACTOR
Any individual in immediate supervision or responsible for
the construction, test pumping or equipping and development of a well.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
WELL SEAL
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.
WELL SYSTEM
Two or more wells being utilized in an individual, semipublic
or public water supply system.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
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
|
---|
Lakes, ponds, streams or other surface waters
|
25 feet
|
Storm drains, retention basins, stabilization
ponds or stormwater management facilities
|
25 feet
|
Preparation area or storage area of hazardous
spray materials, fertilizers of chemicals, salt piles
|
300 feet
|
Gravity sewer lines and drains carrying domestic
sewage or industrial waste
|
50 feet
|
Septic tanks, aerobic tanks or holding tanks
|
50 feet
|
Subsurface sewage disposal systems, elevated
sand mounds, other sewage disposal fields
|
100 feet
|
Sewage seepage pits, cesspools
|
100 feet
|
Farm silos, barnyards, privies and fuel tanks
|
100 feet
|
Rainwater pits, ditches
|
25 feet
|
Spray irrigation sites, sewage sludge and septage
disposal sites
|
300 feet
|
Property lines, driveways and private roads
|
10 feet
|
Dedicated public road right-of-way
|
20 feet
|
Building foundations (except for buildings enclosing
water wells and/or water well pumps)
|
30 feet
|
Any other source of pollution
|
As approved
|
[Amended 2-27-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-1]
A. In the event that an existing individual or semipublic water supply becomes nonfunctional, does not provide the minimum water flow rate of two gallons per minute as required by §
101-10 of this chapter or does not meet the minimum water quality requirements of §
101-8 of this chapter, and the structure serviced by the water supply is within 150 feet of a public water system, the connection of the existing individual or semipublic water supply must be abandoned in accordance with the Water Well Drillers License Act, 32 P.S. 645.1 et seq.; 17 Pa. Code Chapter 47 and Chapter 7, Water Well Abandonment Guidelines, of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Ground Water Monitoring Guidance Manual, and the property must be connected to the public water supply within 60 days of the determination that the individual or semipublic water supply is nonfunctional, does not provide the minimum water flow rate or does not meet the minimum water quality requirements of this chapter.
B. If a residential, commercial or industrial structure
is constructed upon an undeveloped parcel and said structure is within
150 feet of a public water supply system, the parcel must be connected
to the public water supply prior to occupancy.
Individual and semipublic water supplies shall
be designed to provide at least a minimum water flow rate of two gallons
per minute at each potable water outlet or plumbing fixture.
All regulations enacted by this chapter shall
be consistent with all other Township ordinances and applicable Department
rules and regulations.
The Township shall have the right and power
to fix, charge and collect rates, assessments and fees in relation
to the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
The Township may employ or contract a qualified
individual, partnership, association, corporation, group or entity
in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
[Added 7-27-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5]
A. Geothermal well and heat pump 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.
B. Open loop geothermal well systems must conform to the same requirements as water supply wells in Chapter
101 of the Greene Township Code of Ordinances.
C. The geothermal delivery and return wells that depend upon groundwater supplies for heating and cooling must meet the location isolation distance requirements listed in §
101-5.
D. The geothermal delivery well must be tested for all specified water quality standards listed in §
101-8. If this well will also be used as a drinking water supply, all water quality requirements must be met.
E. Closed loop geothermal boreholes must maintain the following minimum
isolation distances from the facilities below which constitute existing
or potential sources of pollution:
(1) Delineated wetlands, floodplains, lakes, ponds, streams or other
surface waters: 10 feet.
(2) Rainwater pits, ditches, channels or swales: 10 feet.
(3) Storm drains, stabilization or retention ponds or other drainage
facilities: 10 feet.
(4) Subsurface sewage absorption areas, elevated sand mounds, seepage
pits, cesspools or other on-lot sewage disposal systems: 100 feet.
(5) Spray irrigation perimeter, sewage sludge or septage disposal sites:
100 feet.
(6) Septic tanks, aerobic tanks, sewage pumps or holding tanks: 50 feet.
(7) Sanitary sewer lines, drains or laterals: five feet.
(8) Preparation or storage area of hazardous spray materials, fertilizers,
chemicals or salt piles: 300 feet (can be reduced to 150 feet if the
borehole is cased and grouted inside and out).
(9) Surface or subsurface containers or tanks of greater than 1,000 gallons'
capacity used for storage of materials that cannot be properly renovated
by passage through soil. This includes gasoline, diesel fuel and other
petroleum products: 300 feet (can be reduced to 150 feet if the borehole
is cased and grouted inside and out).
(10)
Surface or subsurface containers or tanks of 1,000 gallons or
less used for storage of materials like heating oil or other petroleum
products: 30 feet.
(11)
Property lines, driveways, rights-of-way or easements: 10 feet.
(12)
Any other source of pollution: as approved.
F. Any proposed deviation from the above-prescribed isolation distances
shall be approved by the Township with reasons stated for such deviation.
G. Closed loop geothermal boreholes shall be located, drilled and finished
in a manner that will protect the borehole structure from damage of
surface activities or other natural occurrences so that the quality
of the local groundwater cannot be affected.
H. The geothermal well installation contractor shall be responsible
for insuring that the borehole is drilled in the permitted location
and properly backfilled after the pipe loop has been installed.
I. Although casings are not required, they may be necessary to hold
the borehole open during the drilling process. Casings may be left
in the borehole at the discretion of the geothermal well installation
contractor. When a casing is used, grouting the annular space is required.
J. The pipe loop is to be installed by a contractor who is certified
in the proper method of heat fusion specified by the pipe manufacturer.
This contractor shall be responsible for insuring that the pipe loop
is installed in accordance with the specifications of the ground source
heat pump equipment and pipe manufacturer to include proper backfilling
of the borehole.
K. Backfilling shall be according to the specifications of the ground
source heat pump equipment manufacturer. When sand is specified for
backfill material, the borehole shall be constructed in the same manner
as a water supply well. A casing is required to be employed, and the
annular space shall be grouted.
L. If the closed loop borehole penetrates bedrock, it must be grouted
from a depth of 15 feet into the bedrock to the top of the borehole.
M. The recommended backfilling material for these boreholes shall be
bentonite or cement. The boreholes shall be grouted from bottom to
top with bentonite or cement.
N. No new wells may be constructed within a quarter mile of a delineated
plume area of a contaminated site or remediation effort unless accepted
by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the
US Environmental Protection Agency.
O. Whenever an existing well is replaced, the property owner shall be
responsible for the decommissioning of the existing well by a licensed
contractor. No well shall exist in an abandoned state. Wells maintained
for irrigation, landscaping or other nonconsumption purposes must
be fitted with a backflow prevention device.
Approval of an application and issuance of a
permit for a water supply system on the owner's property does not
constitute any guaranty or warranty by the Township regarding quantity
or quality of water that may be obtained as a result of any system
installed under a permit. A permit provides Township approval to install
a system at the site shown on the application and does not provide
any guaranties or warranties from the Township.
[Amended 3-26-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-4]
Any person who violates or permits a violation
of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil
enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a District
Justice, pay a fine of not more than $600, plus all court costs, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement
of this chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the
determination of the violation by the District Justice. If the defendant
neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce
the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure.
Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further,
the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized
to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance
herewith.
In addition to any other remedies provided in
this chapter, any violation of the above shall constitute a nuisance
and shall be abated by the Township by either seeking mitigation of
the nuisance; by institution of a suit or suits in equity to restrain
or prevent violations of this chapter; or by seeking a mandatory preliminary
injunction under the applicable provisions of state statutes or department
rules and regulations or by seeking other legal relief from a court
of competent jurisdiction.