[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors
of the Township of Chestnuthill 2-7-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-01.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall apply to all water wells which have not been
completed, or which are not in operation or in operable condition
at the effective date of this chapter, and to all alterations to an
existing water well, but not to normal maintenance and minor repairs
to keep a water well in proper working order.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, shall have the following
meanings ascribed to them:
A water well, 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or which has been replaced by a new water well or public water supply.
Any action which necessitates entering a water well with
drilling tools; treating a water well to increase yield; altering
the physical structure or depth of the water well; blasting; removal
or replacement of water 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.
American Petroleum Institute.
A geological formation that contains and transmits water.
American Society for Testing Materials.
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 Board of Supervisors of Chestnuthill Township, Monroe
County, Pennsylvania.
An impervious durable pipe placed in a water 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 water well.
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 at least 15 service connections
used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round
residents.
All acts necessary to install or construct a water well.
Construction of water wells includes the location and excavation or
drilling of the water well, but excludes the installation of pumps
and pumping equipment.
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
A water well that yields water by artesian pressure at the
ground surface.
Water within the earth below the water table within the zone
of satisfaction. Groundwater includes both water under water table
conditions and confined within deep aquifers.
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 water
well or between two strings of casing.
A system including wells, pumps, and piping equipment, which
supplies potable water to a single dwelling unit.
The procedure employed in the placement and preparation for
operation of pumps and pumping equipment, including all construction
involved in making entrance to the water well and establishing seals
but not including repairs to existing installations.
A public water system which is not a community water system.
Any person vested with sole or partial, legal or equitable
ownership of property located in the Township.
Shall mean any individual, partnership, company, association,
corporation, trust or other group or entity.
A device or assembly of parts which will permit water to
pass through the wall of the water well casing or extension thereof,
and which provides access to the water well and to the parts of the
water system within the water well in a manner to prevent entrance
of pollution into the water well and the water produced.
Water which is safe for human consumption as determined pursuant
to applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
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 also includes a system which provides water for
bottling or bulk hauling for human consumption.
A potable 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.).
Chestnuthill Township Sewage Enforcement Officer.
Chestnuthill Township, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, a political
subdivision of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, acting by and through
its Board of Supervisors, and including any authorized person acting
on its behalf.
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, diversion or acquisition of groundwater
for an individual water supply or a semi-public water supply.
A person that is licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
pursuant to the Water Well Drillers License Act (found at 32 P.S.
§ 645.1 et seq.) to drill, dig, drive, bore, core, wash,
jet, construct, alter or repair water wells in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
An approved device or method used to protect a water 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 Township for installation
on the water well cap for every new or reconstructed water well.
No person shall construct, reconstruct or alter any potable
water well within Chestnuthill Township unless a water well permit
authorizing the work has been issued by the SEO, or any other agent
or employee so designated by the Board of Supervisors, pursuant to
the terms of this chapter.
A.
The applicant for a water well permit shall submit to the SEO, on
a form to be provided by the SEO, such information as is deemed necessary
by the SEO to determine that a water well may be constructed, reconstructed
or repaired in conformity with this chapter. At a minimum, the applicant
shall supply a drawing to scale of the subject property showing the
location of all buildings and structures (existing or proposed), all
easements and setback lines, the location of the proposed water well
or wells, the location of any existing well or wells, any existing
or proposed water supply lines, the location of all sewage systems,
existing or proposed, specifically designating the absorption areas
and treatment tanks on the property for which the permit is sought
and any other septic systems, to include the absorption areas and
treatment tanks, within the isolation distances set forth elsewhere
in this chapter. In lieu of the drawing to scale, the applicant may
submit an existing sewage system plot plan, providing that all necessary
information is contained thereon. The applicant shall also provide
the name, address and telephone number of the water well driller who
or which will perform the well construction, reconstruction or repair.
B.
No water well permit shall be issued, and no well shall be constructed,
reconstructed or repaired unless the water well driller selected by
the applicant to perform the water well construction, reconstruction
or repair has first registered with the Township, and certified on
a form provided by the Township that, in addition to any other requirements
of law, all well construction, reconstruction or repair performed
by that water well driller in the Township will be in accordance with
the standards and requirements of the Chestnuthill Township Water
Well Ordinance.
C.
Within 15 calendar days after receipt of a properly completed water
well permit application, the Township SEO shall inspect the site to
which said permit application pertains to ascertain compliance with
this chapter, and either:
(1)
Issue a permit to the applicant indicating the approved location
for the water well, the nature of the work authorized and any special
instructions for the construction, reconstruction or repair of the
same; or
(2)
Deny said permit, in which event, the Township SEO shall promptly
inform the applicant in writing of the reason or reasons for denial.
D.
The application shall be made by, and the permit issued in the name
of, the owner or lessee of the property or the person or entity who
or which will have beneficial use of the water well.
E.
Whenever a water well permit is issued, the SEO shall retain the
original permit in the files of the Township, which permit shall be
available for public inspection during regular business hours of the
Township. Two duplicate originals shall be issued to the applicant,
one of which shall be posted conspicuously on the property where the
water well is or is to be located, and the other shall be delivered
to the water well driller constructing, reconstructing or repairing
the well.
F.
A water well permit shall be valid for a period of three years from
the issue date. If the work authorized by the permit is not completed
within three years, the permit shall expire and be without effect.
The fee for a water well permit shall be established from time
to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
Water wells shall be located at the following minimum horizontal
isolation distances to existing or potential sources of pollution.
|
Water Well Horizontal Distances
| |
|---|---|
|
Source of Pollution
|
Minimum Horizontal Isolation Distance
(feet)
|
|
Lakes, ponds, streams or other surface waters
|
25
|
|
Preparation area or storage area of hazardous spray material,
fertilizers or chemicals, salt piles
|
100
|
|
Gravity sewer lines and drains carrying domestic sewage or industrial
waste
|
10
|
|
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, privies and underground fuel tanks
|
100
|
|
Spray irrigation sites, sewage sludge and septage disposal sites
|
100
|
|
Property lines, driveways, easements and private roads or rights-of-way
|
10
|
|
Public road or right-of-way
|
25
|
|
Building foundations (except for buildings enclosing)
|
10
|
A.
Any minimum horizontal isolation distance requirement for the placement of water wells as set forth in § 117-6 is not applicable if the Board of Supervisors finds that the installation of the water well in the location proposed does not appear to pose a threat of pollution to that water well.
B.
The applicant shall submit a formal written request for a water well
minimum horizontal isolation distance exemption to the Board of Supervisors,
which request shall include:
C.
Upon receipt of the items required in Subsection B, the Board of Supervisors shall act upon an application for an exemption under this section within 45 days after receipt of a properly submitted, complete request for an exemption.
D.
The Board of Supervisors, Township and SEO will incur no liability
as a result of the Board of Supervisors granting an exemption under
this section.
A.
Casing:
(1)
All water wells shall be equipped with watertight and durable wrought
iron, steel or other approved type casing with a minimum wall thickness
of 0.1875 for iron.
(2)
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 40 feet and then extended an
additional 10 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 the bottom
along casing. Cement concrete or bentonite are encouraged for use
in grouting. Casing shall extend at least 8 inches above the ground
surface. The borehole should be tree inches larger than the outside
diameter of casing to allow for grout.
(3)
In areas known to be contaminated, the criteria established in AWWA
Standards A100-84 must be followed.
B.
Water well depth. The minimum drilled depth for any water well is
50 feet from the surface of the ground.
C.
Ferrous casing. Ferrous casing 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.
D.
Grouting. An annular space shall be provided between the water well
casing and the earth formation. 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
water well should occur within 48 hours after grouting of the casing,
or within two hours if using bentonite.
E.
Pitless installations:
(1)
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 eight 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.
(2)
Pitless adaptors cannot be installed with torch or flame, but must
be installed using hole saw or drill.
F.
Water well screens. Water well screens shall provide the 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.
G.
Water well cap. A secure, screened, varmint-free well cap shall be
installed on all water wells to prevent any surface pollutants from
entering the water well or any vandalism to the water well or aquifer.
In the event of a flowing well, the well cap must stop overflow from
the flowing well.
H.
Water well tag. An identification tag must be permanently attached
to each new or reconstructed water well. These tags will be issued
by Chestnuthill Township in conjunction with the issuance of the water
well permit.
I.
Venting. Where venting is required, an overlapping 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.
J.
Abandoned water wells.
(1)
Any abandoned water well shall be properly abandoned at the owner's
expense in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
(2)
Any abandoned water wells that are in existence as of the effective
date of this chapter shall be so abandoned within 30 days after the
effective date of this chapter.
K.
Disinfection. Following completion of construction, the water well
shall be continuously pumped until the water discharge is clear. It
shall be filled with water containing a 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 insure proper
agitation. The water shall not be used for a period of 24 hours thereafter.
Other combinations of water/chlorine concentration and time interval
may be used if demonstrated to be 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.
L.
Cross-connections. If pump and piping is not installed by the water
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 connector. At least two check valves must be incorporated
into each water system that derives water from a water well. Except
where not practical, a cross-connection prevention assembly should
be provided. 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.
M.
Well analysis. After water well disinfection, water samples must
be collected and analyzed for pH, total solids, iron, nitrate-nitrogen,
and coliform bacteria. The water well driller or the owner or his
representative shall utilize the appropriate means and methods for
sampling and stabilization, and obtain sample analysis from a laboratory
certified by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for that purpose. One
copy of the analysis results shall be provided to the owner of the
water well and one copy provided to the Township.
N.
Completion report. Within 30 calendar days after completion of the
water well, the water well driller constructing the well shall:
A.
No water well shall be constructed or altered where a public water
system connection is within 150 feet of the existing or proposed principal
structure on the property, and public water service is available to
that site.
B.
Wells for agriculture or other purposes, excluding human consumption,
shall be permitted regardless of public water availability.
C.
Cross-connections between an individual or semi-public water supply
and the public water system shall be prohibited.
This chapter shall be enforced by 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.
Any person, partnership, corporation or other entity who or which
violates or permits a violation of the provisions of this chapter
shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding, pay a fine of not
less than $100 nor more than $1,000 per violation, plus all court
costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by Chestnuthill
Township in the enforcement proceedings, and/or be imprisoned to the
extent allowed by law for the punishment of summary offenses. Each
day or portion thereof that a violation exists or continues shall
constitute a separate violation, and each section of this chapter
that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. Further,
the appropriate officers or agents of Chestnuthill Township are hereby
authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce
compliance with this chapter. All fines, penalties, costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees collected for the violation of this chapter shall
be paid to Chestnuthill Township for its general use.
Approval of an application and issuance of a permit for a water
well on a property does not constitute any guarantee or warranty by
Chestnuthill Township regarding quantity or quality of water that
may be obtained as a result of any water well constructed, reconstructed
or repaired. Issuance of a permit merely provides Township approval
to perform the specified water well work at the location shown on
the application, but does not provide any other guarantees, approval,
warranties, etc.
