[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
It shall be unlawful from and after the passage of this Part
for any person to dig, construct or supply any water well, whether
drilled, artesian or dug, in the Township of Northampton, or to make
any alterations or additions to any well in the Township of Northampton,
without first obtaining a permit from the properly designated official
of said Township; and, further provided, that all work shall be done
in strict accordance with the provisions of this Part.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ADEQUATE WAVER SUPPLY
Where obtainable, the yield of a well or the capacity of
a pump and distribution system sufficient to meet the requirements
which the user has stated are necessary for drinking, culinary and
other purposes for which well water is intended to be used.
ANNULAR SPACE
The space between two circular objects, one of which surrounds
the other, such as the opening between a drill hole and a casing pipe
or between a casing pipe and a liner pipe.
APPROVED
Sanctioned by Northampton Township, in conformity with applicable
laws and regulations.
CONTAMINATION
Any matter which will render water unsafe for human consumption.
DRAWDOWN
The extent of lowering of the water level in a well when
water flows or is pumped from it.
DRIVEN POINT WELL
A well constructed by joining a drive point with a length
of pipe, extended as may be necessary, and driving the assembly into
the ground without a preliminary excavation in excess of 10 feet in
depth.
ESTABLISHED GRADE
The permanent point of contact of the ground or artificial
surface with the casing pipe or curbing of the well.
FLUSHING
The act of causing a rapid flow of water from a well by pumping,
bailing or similar operation.
NEAR-SURFACE WATER
Water in the zone immediately below the ground surface. It
may include seepage from barnyards, leaching pools and disposal beds
or leakage from sewers, drains and similar sources of contaminated
water.
NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP
The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township or any properly
authorized official of Northampton Township who may be designated
to act for the Township by the Board of Supervisors.
PUMPING WATER LEVEL
Elevation of the surface of the water in a well when water
flows or is pumped from it at a given rate.
SAFE WATER
Water that is sufficiently free from contamination to be
safe for human ingestion.
SANITARY CONDITION
1.
When referring to a well, it means that the construction of
the well and the installation of the pumping equipment are such that
the well is effectively protected against entrance of contaminating
matter.
2.
When referring to the surroundings of a well, it means that
the location and surrounding area are free from debris or filth of
any character and not subject to flooding.
SEWER
A conduit used or intended for conveying sewage or other
wastes.
SPECIFIC CAPACITY
The continuous yield of a well at a given drawdown expressed
in gallons per minute per foot of drawdown.
STATIC WATER LEVEL
That elevation of the surface of the water in a well when
no water flows or is being pumped therefrom.
STUFFING BOX
An approved receptacle in which packing may be compressed
to form a watertight or airtight junction between two objects.
VERTICAL ZONE OF CONTAMINATION
That depth of near-surface formations containing connecting
pore spaces, crevices or similar openings, including artificial channels
such as unprotected wells, through which contaminated water may gain
access to a well or the groundwater body.
WATERTIGHT CONSTRUCTION
Implies cased and grouted construction through firm foundations
like clay or rock. Through granular material like sand or gravel,
it implies that the casing pipe is of approved quality and assembled
watertight.
WELL
Includes a dug well, a drilled well and an artesian well.
WELL SEAL
An approved removable arrangement or device used to cap a
well or to establish and maintain a junction between the casing or
curbing of a well and the piping or equipment installed therein so
as to prevent water from entering the well at the upper terminal.
WELL VENT
An outlet at the upper end of the well casing to allow equalization
of air pressure in the well.
YIELD
The quantity of water per unit of time which may flow or
be pumped from a well at a constant specified drawdown.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
No well shall be drilled nor any existing well used for the
purpose of disposal of domestic or industrial waste.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962; as amended by Ord. 80, 12/9/1964, § 1]
1. The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township shall have the responsibility
for the enforcement of this Part. Said Township shall have the management
and control of well permits, applications and certificates.
2. No well contractor shall be issued a well permit until he has filed
with the Township a letter stating that he is, or intends to participate,
in the well-drilling business in Northampton Township.
3. No certificate of compliance shall be issued until the applicant
for said certificate has filed with the Township an application for
a permit to drill well and a well record form. Said application and
record shall be completely filled out and the Township may reject
any application or record not completely filled out.
4. Any person willfully filing misinformation in completing of forms
will be subject to prosecution under existing statutes of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
The Board of Supervisors shall, from time to time, by resolution,
establish the fees to be charged for the issuance of permits required
under the provisions of this Part. No permit required under the provisions
of this Part shall be issued until the fees prescribed by such resolution
shall be paid in full.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962; as amended by Ord. 211, 5/9/1984, § 135-14; by Ord. 285, 2/22/1989; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part or who shall file to comply therewith or with any of
the requirements thereof or who shall construct, drill, alter or repair
any well in violation of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an
action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner provided
for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules
of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more
than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that
a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which
shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.