[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Quarryville 11-7-2011 by Ord. No.
393. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Quarryville
Borough Geothermal Energy Systems Ordinance."
In this chapter, words and phrases shall have the meanings set
forth below unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning.
Quarryville Borough, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or
any agency successor thereto.
A type of geothermal heating and/or cooling system that utilizes
a pressurized heat exchanger consisting of pipe, a circulating pump,
and a water-source heat pump in which the heat transfer fluid is not
exposed to the atmosphere. The heat transfer fluid is potable water
and may have approved antifreeze added. There are two kinds of closed-loop
systems:
CLOSED VERTICAL LOOP GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMA bore hole that extends beneath the surface. Pipes are installed with U-bends at the bottom of the bore hole. The pipes are connected to the heat exchanger and heat transfer fluid is circulated through the pipes.
CLOSED HORIZONTAL LOOP GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMA mechanism for heat exchange which consists of the following basic elements: underground loops of piping; heat transfer fluid; a heat pump; an air distribution system. An opening is made in the Earth. A series of pipes are installed into the opening and connected to a heat exchange system in the building. The pipes form a closed loop and are filled with a 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.
A type of geothermal heating or cooling system that utilizes
a water-supply well and a water pump to deliver groundwater to a water-source
heat pump. The discharge water from the water-source heat pump may
be returned to the subsurface through a recharge well or infiltration
bed or may be discharged into a pond, lake or stream. A spring may
also be the source of the groundwater supply.
The Quarryville Borough Uniform Construction Code.[1]
A.
Only closed-loop geothermal energy systems are permitted within the
Borough. Open-loop geothermal energy systems are prohibited within
the Borough.
B.
General requirements.
C.
Development standards.
(1)
A horizontal closed-loop system shall be installed a maximum of 20
feet below the average finished grade of the area in which located.
(2)
All vertical closed-loop geothermal energy systems shall have proper
grout sealing with the following properties:
(a)
High thermal conductivity to allow heat transfer;
(b)
Low viscosity to allow the grout to wrap around the pipe;
(c)
Low shrinkage volume to ensure that the grout will not pull
away from the pipe; and
(d)
Low permeability to prevent the migration of antifreeze solution
in the event of a line breakage.
(3)
Geothermal energy systems shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from
all property lines, except as otherwise specified.
(4)
Geothermal energy systems shall be located a minimum of 100 feet
from existing potable water wells.
(5)
Geothermal energy systems shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from
treatment tanks, dosing tanks, lift pump tanks, filter tanks and chlorine
contact/storage tanks of an on-lot sewage disposal system. Geothermal
energy systems shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from the absorption
area of an on-lot sewage disposal system. Geothermal energy systems
shall be located a minimum of 100 feet from the perimeter of any spray
field of an on-lot sewage disposal system.
(6)
Aboveground equipment associated with geothermal pumps shall not
be installed in the front yard of any lot or the yard of a corner
lot adjacent to a public right-of-way and shall meet all minimum accessory
structure setbacks required for the zoning district.
(7)
All horizontal closed-loop geothermal energy systems shall be properly
backfilled, including the removal of sharp-edged rocks before backfilling
in order to prevent such rocks from coming into contact with the system
pipe.
D.
Required permits.
(1)
Any person seeking to install a geothermal energy system shall apply
for and obtain a permit from the Borough prior to commencing installation.
Such person shall file an application with the Borough providing all
information necessary to demonstrate compliance with this chapter
and shall pay the fee established by Borough Council. The design and
installation of geothermal energy systems shall conform to applicable
industry standards and the UCC. At the time of application for a permit,
the applicant shall submit manufacturer certificates of design and
circulating fluid compliance obtained by the geothermal energy system
manufacturer from a reputable certifying organization.
(2)
No construction, drilling, boring, reconstruction, major repair other
change of, or for any non-DEP permitted/regulated well/water supply
for the production of water for domestic, commercial, industrial or
agricultural purposes, for which potable water usage is intended or
may be used, shall commence unless the property owner or his/her duly
authorized agent shall apply for and receive a "well permit" for any
such construction activity from the Borough. Proper proof of contractor's
insurance of liability shall be on file with the Borough for all well
work.
E.
Required inspections. Any person installing a geothermal energy system
shall obtain all inspections required by the UCC. The Construction
Code Official shall have the authority to inspect for compliance with
all requirements of this chapter as well as compliance with all requirements
of the UCC.
F.
Decommissioning. If a geothermal energy system remains nonfunctional
or inoperative for a continuous period of one year, the system shall
be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance.
The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after
a demolition permit has been obtained in accordance with the following:
(1)
The heat pump and any external mechanical equipment shall be removed;
and
(2)
Pipes or coils below the land surface shall be filled with grout
to displace the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid shall
be captured and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
The top of the pipe, coil or boring shall be uncovered and grouted.
[Amended 10-4-2021 by Ord. No. 445]
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall, upon
conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, be sentenced for each
violation to pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000
and costs of prosecution, including the Borough's reasonable attorneys'
fees, which fines and penalties may be collected as provided by law.
Each day that a violation continues shall be a separate offense, and
each section of this chapter which is violated shall be a separate
offense.
In the event any provision, section, sentence, clause or part
of this chapter shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unconstitutional
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality
or unconstitutionality shall not affect or impair the remaining provisions,
sections, sentences, clauses or parts of this chapter, it being the
intent of Borough Council that the remainder of the chapter shall
be and shall remain in full force and effect.
