[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Algoma 2-18-2015 by Ord. No. 150. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
 General penalty— See Ch. 1, § 1-2.
Building construction — See Ch. 135.
Outdoor furnaces — See Ch. 184, Art. II.
Streets, sidewalks and driveways — See Ch. 288.
This chapter shall allow the Town of Algoma the ability to control the types of geothermal heating and cooling systems installed in the Town of Algoma.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CLOSED HORIZONTAL LOOP GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
Piping is installed in a horizontal loop no deeper than 20 feet and runs through a heat exchange system in the building. The pipes form a closed loop and are filled with heat transfer fluid. The fluid is circulated through the piping from the opening into the heat exchanger and back. The system functions in the same manner as the open loop system except there is no pumping of groundwater.
CLOSED VERTICAL LOOP GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
A borehole extends beneath the surface. Pipes are installed with U-bends at the bottom of the borehole. The pipes are connected to the heat exchanger and heat transfer fluid is circulated through the pipes.
GEOTHERMAL BOREHOLE
A hole drilled or bored into the earth into which piping is inserted for use in a geothermal system.
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
A geothermal system uses the earth's thermal properties in conjunction with electricity to provide greater efficiency in the heating and cooling of buildings.
HEAT EXCHANGER
A device, usually made of coils of pipe, which transfers heat from one medium to another; for example from water to air or water to water.
HEAT TRANSFER FLUID
Any liquid used specifically for the purpose of transferring thermal energy from the heat source to another location.
OPEN LOOP GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
Groundwater is pumped from a well or pond into a heat exchanger located in a surface building. The water drawn from the earth is then pumped back into the aquifer through a different well or in some cases the same well. Alternatively, the groundwater could be discharged to a surface water body. In the heating mode, cooler water is returned to the earth, while in the cooling mode warmer water is returned to the surface water body.
A. 
No person shall dig, bore, drill, replace, modify, repair or destroy a geothermal well or any other excavation without first applying for and receiving a permit from the Town of Algoma Building Inspector.
B. 
The fees are set forth in the Town of Algoma Fee Schedule[1] as adopted by the Town of Algoma Board. The permit fee must be submitted at time of application.
[1]
Editor's Note: The schedule is on file in the Town offices.
C. 
The Town of Algoma may suspend or revoke any permit issued pursuant to this chapter whenever it finds that the permit holder has violated any of the provisions of this chapter or has misrepresented any material fact in his/her application or any supporting documents for such permit.
Open loop geothermal systems are prohibited in the Town of Algoma.
A. 
Closed horizontal loop geothermal systems are permitted subject to obtaining a permit and meeting all of the building and zoning regulations, including setbacks.
B. 
Closed vertical loop geothermal systems are permitted subject to obtaining a permit and meeting all of the building and zoning regulations, including setbacks.
The procedure used for abandonment of geothermal systems will be the same as used for abandoning a well. The heat transfer fluid must be removed by displacement.
The penalty for violation of this chapter shall be in accordance with the general penalty in § 1-2. of this Code of Algoma.
[1]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).