[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
The applicant seeking approval of a permit for a Class 2 or
Class 3 well or well cluster shall be responsible for any adverse
effect caused by the applicant's well(s) to any residential domestic
water supply well existing prior to the issuance of a well drilling
permit.
[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
The applicant shall deposit with the Township at the time of
the issuance of the well utilization permit financial security in
an amount determined by multiplying $3,500 times the number of all
other groundwater wells located within the hydrologic environment
set forth in the water resources impact study and as approved by the
Township. Without limitation as to other types of financial security
which the Township may approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, federal or commonwealth chartered lending institution irrevocable
letters of credit and restrictive or escrow accounts in such lending
institutions shall be deemed acceptable financial security. Such financial
security shall be posted with a bonding company or federal or commonwealth
chartered lending institution chosen by the party posting the financial
security, provided said bonding company or lending institution is
authorized to conduct such business within Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
Any party desiring a hearing pursuant to §
26-264 of this Part shall make demand therefore to the Township Administrator in writing and with proof of service thereof on either the applicant or upon the owner of the residential domestic water supply well which is alleged to have suffered an adverse effect, as the case may be. The Board of Supervisors shall then schedule a hearing not less than 15 days or more than 90 days after receipt of the demand for hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the applicant and the owner of the residential domestic water supply well which is alleged to have suffered an adverse effect. At the hearing each party shall have the right to present evidence and to cross examine witnesses. The party making the demand for the hearing shall have the burden of proof. All testimony shall be stenographically recorded at the cost of the parties and a full and complete record shall be kept of the proceedings. The decision of the Board of Supervisors shall be in writing, shall contain findings and the reasons for the adjudication, and shall be served upon all parties or their counsel personally or by mail. Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Board of Supervisors may appeal therefrom in accordance with 2 Pa.C.S.A. § 751.
[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
In the event that it is finally determined pursuant to the provisions
hereof that applicant is responsible for an adverse effect to a residential
domestic water supply well, then applicant shall alleviate the problem,
all at no expense to the affected property owner(s), so as to furnish
reasonable quantity and quality of water. Applicant shall supply potable
water to the property owner(s) until the corrective work is completed
and shall reimburse the property owner(s) for their cost of securing
potable water prior to applicant doing so. The applicant shall alleviate
the adversely affected water supply by deepening an existing well,
drilling a new well or connecting the affected property owner to the
public water supply so as to furnish reasonable quantity and quality
of water for domestic use. The connection of an affected property
owner to the public water supply shall be at the property owner's
election, except where the adverse effect is determined to be the
presence of hazardous materials that cannot be remedied by deepening
or replacing the well, in which case the applicant shall connect the
property owner's house to a public water supply.
[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
In the event applicant does not commence to remedy the adversely affected water supply within five days, of when it is finally determined pursuant to the provisions hereof that applicant is responsible for an adverse effect to a residential domestic water supply well, Wrightstown Township may draw down the financial security posted pursuant to §
26-262 of this Part and apply such security to take whatever action which Township deems is necessary to cure the problem. In the event that the financial security is not sufficient to cure the problem, applicant shall be responsible for any additional expense including legal, engineering and administrative costs, which are incurred in curing the problem.
[Ord. 262, 9/17/2007]
Sixty months after the date any applicant's Class 2 or Class
3 well or well cluster reaches full production, the applicant, upon
written request, shall have all financial security posted with the
Township pursuant to this Part returned to the applicant, except such
security as may be necessary to remedy any pending claims of adversely
affected wells which have not been finally determined pursuant to
the provisions hereof.