[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ABANDONED WATER SUPPLY WELL
A water supply 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 impractical,
or which has been replaced by a new well or public water supply.
ALTERATIONS
The deepening, recasting, perforating, reperforating, the
installation of packers or seals, and other material changes in the
design of a geothermal heating system.
ANNULAR SPACE
The space between two cylindrical objects, one of which surrounds
the other, such as the pace between a drill hole and a casing pipe.
ANSI
American National Standards Institute.
API
American Petroleum Institute.
APPROVED GROUT
Neat cement, cement plus bentonite, bentonite, bentonite
plus silica sand, or low-permeability ceiling material as approved
for use by the Code Official. Approved grout is to be mixed and applied
according to manufacturer's specifications (e.g., water content
and viscosity) for use in grouting wells and/or geothermal boreholes.
AQUIFER
A geological formation, group of formations, or part of a
formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to
yield significant quantities of water to wells and springs.
ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials.
BACK SIPHONAGE
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.
BENTONITE
A highly placid, colloidal clay composed largely of the mineral
montmorillonite.
BORING/BOREHOLE
A penetration of soil and/or rock that is augured, drilled,
cored, bored, washed, driven, dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed
which is generally cylindrical in shape and whose diameter is generally
smaller than its depth of penetration.
BRIDGING MATERIAL
Solids added to a drilling fluid to bridge across the pore
throat or fractures of an exposed rock thereby building a filter cake
to prevent loss of whole mud or excessive filtrate.
CASING
An impervious durable pipe placed in a 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 well.
CHIP BENTONITE GROUT
Chip bentonite grout is composed of dry 3/8 inch (9.5 mm)
or 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) sized chips of bentonite.
CLOSED LOOP, HORIZONTAL
A closed-looped system where the loops of the pipe are laid
horizontally in the ground, in trenches.
CLOSED LOOP, VERTICAL
A closed-loop system where the loops of the pipe are installed
vertically into the ground, in well borings.
CLOSED-LOOP SYSTEMS
Geothermal heat pump system which relies on the contained
circulation of geothermal fluids through any underground loop of pipes.
The loops act as a subsurface heat exchanger, which transports the
heat to or from the ground. The loop of pipe is installed either vertically
in borings or horizontally in trenches.
COLIFORM
All 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.
COMMUNITY WATER SOURCE
Water obtained from a well, spring or other source that supplies
potable water for a private well, public water system, or semipublic
water supply.
CONSTRUCTING
The boring, digging, drilling or excavating of a geothermal
heating system, including the installation of casing where geothermal
heating screens.
CONSTRUCTION OF WELLS
All acts necessary to obtain groundwater, or artificially
recharged groundwater; provided, however, that such term does not
include an excavating made for the purpose of obtaining or prospecting
for oil, natural gas, minerals, or products of mining or quarrying,
or for inserting media to repressor oil or natural gas formations
or for storing petroleum, natural gas, or other products and services.
Construction of wells includes location and excavation of drilling
well, but excludes the installation of pumps and pumping equipment.
CONTRACTOR
Any individual, partnership, company, association, corporation,
group or entity employed, hired, contracted or otherwise engaged by
the owner to perform defined services for compensation.
CROSS CONNECTION
An arrangement allowing either direct or indirect connection
through which backflow, including back siphonage, can occur between
the drinking water and a public water system and a system containing
a potential source of contamination.
CURING TIME
Minimum time required for particular time for cementing or
grouting materials to harden or set up before drilling or other construction
operations can be resumed.
DCNR
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
DECOMMISSIONED VERTICAL CLOSED-LOOP BORE HOLE
A vertical closed-loop bore hole whose original purpose and
use have been permanently discontinued or which is in such a state
of disrepair that its original purpose cannot be reasonably achieved.
DECOMMISSIONING
The act of rendering a well or bore hole to a condition where
there is no pathway present for surface or subsurface contaminates
to travel down to the water table.
DEP
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
DIRECT EXCHANGE (DX) GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
A type of geothermal heating and/or cooling system where
the heat pump refrigerant is circulated through metal piping installed
in vertical, inclined, or horizontal bore holes. This type of geothermal
system must use a cement-based, special grout in the bore holes and
must have electronic corrosion protection for the metal piping.
DRILLING MUD
A fluid composed of water and bentonite used in the drilling
operation to remove cuttings from the hole, to clean and cool the
bit, to reduce friction between the drill stem and the sides of the
hole, and to plaster the sides of the hole. Such fluids range from
relatively clear water to carefully prepared mixtures of special purpose
compounds.
FLOWABLE FILL
Flowable fill is a mixture of Portland cement (ASTM C150),
potable water, sand, and a fluidizing agent. This mixture is predominately
sand. An example mixture of flowable fill contains approximately 85%
sand, 9% water, 4% Portland cement, 2% finely ground slag, and a fluidizing
agent. Flowable fill and other bridging agents do not meet the permeability
requirements to protect groundwater quality and prevent flow between
aquifer zones.
FLOWING WELL
A well that yields water by artesian pressure at the ground
surface.
FUSE
To make a plastic pipe joint by heat and pressure in accordance
with the pipe manufacturer's specifications.
GEOTHERMAL FLUID
Any fluid transporting or capable of transporting geothermal
heat.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT
Heat derived from geothermal resources, or heat derived from
groundwater.
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEM
A geothermal heat pump system which relies on the contained
circulation of geothermal fluids to obtain and to utilize geothermal
resources.
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
The natural heat of the earth, the energy, in whatever form,
below the surface of the earth present in, resulting from or created
by, or which may be extracted from, the natural heat, and all minerals
in solution or other products obtained from naturally heated fluids,
brines, associated gases, in whatever form, found below the surface
of the earth, exclusive of oil, hydrocarbon gas, other hydrocarbon
gas, other hydrocarbon substances of helium, but specifically including:
A.
All products of geothermal processes, embracing indigenous steam,
hot water, and hot brines;
B.
Steam and other gases, hot water, and hot brines resulting from
water, gas, or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal
formation;
C.
Heat or other associated energy found in geothermal formation;
and
D.
Any by-product derived therefrom.
GEOTHERMAL WELL
Any excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven,
dug, jetted or otherwise constructed where the intended use of such
excavation is for the circulation of geothermal fluid vertically,
or the location, requisition or artificial recharge of groundwater.
(includes open- and closed-loop vertical systems).
GROUNDWATER
Any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface
or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir, or any body of
surface water, whatever may be the geological formation or structure
in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise moves.
GROUT
A high-solids fluid mixture of cement or bentonite and potable
water of a consistency that can be pumped through a tremie pipe and
placed as required. Various additives such as sand or bentonite, may
be included in the mixture to reach certain requirements.
GROUTING, POSITIVE EMPLACEMENT
A technique of the installation of grouting materials whereby
emplacement is achieved by positive pumping pressure through a tremie
pipe from the bottom of the zone upward.
HEAT PUMP
A mechanical device used for heating and/or cooling which
operates by pumping heat from a cooler to a warmer location.
HYDROLOGIC BALANCE
This term refers to the condition where, in the long term,
the rate of local groundwater pumping from an aquifer does not exceed
the rate of local groundwater recharged to the aquifer.
IGSHPA
The International Ground Source Heat Pump Association.
INDIVIDUAL WATER SUPPLY
A system, including wells, pumps, and piping equipment, which
supplies water to a private home.
INSTALLATION OF PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT
The procedure employed in the placement and preparation of
operation of pumps and pumping equipment, including all construction
involved in making entrance to the well and establishing seals, but
not including repairs to existing installations.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of West Lebanon, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
NEAT CEMENT GROUT
A fluid mixture of hydrologic, cement and water with or without
admixtures in the following proportions: one bag of cement [94 pounds
(42.6 kilograms)] to not less than five gallons (18.9 liters) nor
more than seven gallons (26.5 liters) with water.
OPEN-LOOP SYSTEM
A geothermal heat pump system which relies on the circulation
of groundwater from a supply well, spring, or surface water. A source
of heat is derived from groundwater which is moved from the ground
to a heat pump. The water is then transferred to a discharge area,
typically a surface water body, storm, or sanitary sewer system or
recharge well.
OTHER FILL AND BRIDGING MATERIALS
Under some limited circumstances, bore hole completion without
grout (below the minimum twenty-foot depth of the approved grout surface
formation seal), may be necessary. Acceptable fill materials are site-specific
and may include, but are not limited to, bentonite chips, cutting
removed from the bore hole, clean sand, gravel or a mixture of sand
and gravel, and/or cement and water or concrete mixes.
OTHER GROUT AND FILL PLACEMENT METHODS
Other methods of grout or fill placement shall be accepted
if such methods allow verification of completion. Such methods must
ensure that the grout or fill placement provides environmental protection
and the intended system performance.
OWNER
The person who is the holder of the record title to real
property or the persons entitled to use the thermal groundwater at
the property.
PACKER
A mechanical device that is placed in a bore hole to prevent
the vertical movement of water or grout.
PERMEABILITY
A measure of the relative ease with which a porous medium
can transmit a liquid under a potential gradient. It is a property
of the medium alone and is independent of the nature of the liquid
and of the force field causing movement. It is a property of the medium
that is dependent upon the shape and size of the pores.
PERSON
A natural person, firm, partnership, association, social
or fraternal organization, corporation, non-profit corporation, trust,
estate, receiver, syndicate, branch of government, or similar entities,
any group or combination thereof acting as a unit, or the successors
or assigns of any of the aforementioned.
PITLESS ADAPTOR
A device or assembly of parts which permit water to pass
through the wall of the well casing or extension thereof, and which
provides access to the well and to the parts of the water system within
the well in a manner to prevent entrance of pollution into the well
and water produced.
POLLUTION
The contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical,
or biological properties of any surface waters or groundwaters which
will or can reasonably be expected to render such waters harmful,
detrimental, or injurious to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural,
recreational or other legitimate beneficial use.
POLYMER
A substance consisting of molecules characterized by the
repetition of one or more types of monomeric units.
PORTLAND CEMENT (NEAT CEMENT) GROUT
A mixture of Portland cement (ASTM C150 standard specification
for Portland cement) and not more than six gallons (22.7 liters) of
potable water per bag one cubic foot (28.3 liters) or 94 pounds (42.6
kilograms) of cement should be used according to the manufacturer's
specifications.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM
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.
PUMPABLE BENTONITE GROUT
Pumpable bentonite grout is a high-solids mixture of sodium,
bentonite powder or granules in potable water mixed according to the
manufacturer's specifications.
RESERVOIR
An aquifer or combination of aquifers or zones containing
a common geothermal or groundwater resource.
RETURN WELL
A well designed and constructed for the return of water to
the ground.
SAND-CEMENT GROUT
A mixture of Portland cement-type 1 (ASTM C150), sand and
water in the proportion of not more than two parts by weight of sand
to one part of cement with not more than six gallons (22.7 liters)
of potable water per bag of cement one cubic foot (28.3 liters) or
94 pounds (42.6 kilograms) shall be used according to the manufacturer's
specifications.
SEMI-PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY
A water supply which services one or more facilities such
as industrial or commercial establishments, parks, camps, hotels,
motels, schools, institutions, eating and drinking establishments
or a water supply to 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.).
STANDING-COLUMN GEOTHERMAL SYSTEM
A type of open-loop geothermal heating and/or cooling system
that circulates groundwater from a water well through a water-source
heat pump and returns the discharged water from the water-source heat
pump to the same water well it was pumped from. The water withdrawal
and return location within the water well bore are separated as far
as is possible. Some standing-column geothermal systems discharged
some of the circulating groundwater to enhance their heat transfer.
THERMAL GROUNDWATER
Groundwater which is less than 250° F. at bottom-hole
temperature and possessing significant heat to be used for a direct
thermal application or in conjunction with a groundwater heat pump.
THERMALLY ENHANCED BENTONITE-BASED GROUT
Thermally enhanced Bentonite-based grout is a high-solid
mixture of sodium Bentonite, inert additives such as sand or rock
dust that enhance thermal conductivity, and potable water mixed according
to the manufacturer's specifications. The sand must be clean so as
to not introduce contaminants into the grout mixture. The use of special
additives to alter permeability, increase thermal conductivity, increase
fluidity, control grout loss, and/or control time of set, and the
composition of the resultant slurry, must be used in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications.
TOWNSHIP
West Lebanon Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
TREMIE PIPE
A ridged or flexible pipe or a hose that carries the grouting
materials to the bottom of the zone being grouted. The tremie pipe
is withdrawn as the grout materials fill the annular space outside
the casing or fills the space between the loop pipes and the bore
hole wall. The end of the tremie pipe is kept submerged just below
the surface of the grout material.
TREMIE PLACEMENT METHOD FOR FILL AND BRIDGING MATERIALS
The tremie pipe should be lowered to the bottom of the zone
being filled, and raised slowly as the fill material is introduced.
When using the tremie pipe method to install fills, the bottom of
the tremie should be maintained as close as possible to, but not inside
of, the emplaced fill.
TREMIE PLACEMENT METHOD FOR GROUT
After water or other drilling fluid has been circulated in
the anural space sufficient to clear obstructions, grout shall be
placed by pressure pumping through a tremie pipe. The tremie pipe
should be lowered to the bottom of the zone being grouted and raised
slowly till the material is introduced.
UCC
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code.
VERTICAL CLOSED-LOOP BORE HOLE
A bore hole which is constructed to receive heat-exchanger
loop pipes and grout material. Fill material may be used below a minimum
depth 20 feet below grade as the subsurface conditions warrant.
WATER TABLE
That surface in an unconfined groundwater body at which the
pressure is atmospheric. It is defined by the levels in which water
stands in wells that penetrate the water body just far enough to hold
standing water.
WATER-SOURCE HEAT PUMP
A heat pump that uses a water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger
to extract heat from the heat source.
WATER-SUPPLY WELL
A well that is constructed to remove or return water to the
ground.
WELL
An excavation that is drilled, cored, bored, washed, driven,
dug, jetted, or otherwise constructed when the intended use of such
excavation is for the location, acquisition, monitoring, or artificial
recharge of groundwater. This includes but is not limited to test
wells, test boranes, and monitoring wells in addition to wells to
be utilized as individual or semi-public water supplies.
WELL DRILLER
An individual or company that is permitted or licensed by
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to drill wells in Pennsylvania.
WELL SCREEN
A filtering device that allows groundwater from unconsolidated
and semiconsolidated aquifers to enter the well while at the same
time keeping the majority of sand and gravel out of the well and out
of the pump. A screen also supports the aquifer material and prevents
the bore hole from collapsing.
WELL SEAL
An approved device or method used to protect a well casing
or water system from the entrance from any external pollutant at the
point of entrance at the casing of a pipe, electrical conduit or water-level
measuring device.
WELL TAG
A metal marking device supplied by the Township for installation
on the well cap for any new or reconstructed water or geothermal well.
ZONE OF SATURATION
The zone below the water table in which all interstices are
filled with groundwater.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
Owners of pre-chapter geothermal heating systems within the
Township shall register their geothermal heating systems with the
Township. Said registration shall be on forms supplied by the Township
and may include, but is not limited to, the name and address of the
owner, specific location of the geothermal heating system, date of
construction, depth and diameter of the geothermal heating system,
specifications of casings, bottom hole temperature, static fluid or
water level, type of geothermal utilization system, accessibility
for monitoring devices, and disposal method, if any.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
Any persons desiring to construct, install, or alter a geothermal
heating system within the Township shall first apply for a geothermal
heating system permit at the Township office on forms provided for
that purpose. No person shall commence construction or alteration
of a geothermal heating system prior to the owner of the property
on which the proposed geothermal heating system will be located applying
for and receiving a permit.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
The Township, or any person or persons designated by the Township,
shall review each application for conformity with the applicable Township
regulations and the UCC.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
Since the technology surrounding geothermal heating systems
continues to evolve and change, the Township reserves the right to
impose additional requirements on an owner seeking to install or maintain
a system, if the Township determines that such requirements are necessary
to further the purposes of this chapter. Additionally, the Township
may impose further requirements to supplement this chapter, or amend
existing requirements by resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the
Commissioners.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
In connection with the principal functions and activities of
the Township resource management responsibility, Township officials
may, upon reasonable notice to the owner, enter upon any property
within the Township for purposes of inspecting geothermal facilities
or monitoring the operational characteristics of such facilities when
such inspection or monitoring is reasonably necessary to the assessment
of other indices related to geothermal or groundwater reservoir management,
or protection of the public safety and welfare. The Township shall
provide affected property owners or occupants with reasonable prior
notice, describing the nature, purpose, and duration of the necessary
inspection or monitoring; such inspections or monitoring shall be
conducted in accordance with the applicable Township and state procedures
for inspections. If any person refuses to permit any officer or employee
to enter and inspect, the officer or employee shall not attempt to
force entrance, but shall, with the assistance of the Township's
Solicitor, seek an appropriate court order to enter the premises.
[Ord. 516, 6/3/2019]
Whenever the Township determines that a geothermal heating system
within the Township is by nature of its construction, installation
or operation, adversely interfering with other geothermal heating
systems, or is polluting groundwater or surface water, the Township
shall promptly notify the affected owner of the wasteful or defective
geothermal heating system and require said owner cease operation thereof
immediately. Such notice may be verbal and shall be followed up with
a written notice within 10 days of any verbal notice. If the system
is causing any adverse effects, then repairs shall be commenced immediately
and completed as promptly as possible. If the system is not causing
any adverse effects as determined by the Township, the owner shall
be allowed no more than 15 days to begin repair of the system. In
either instance, if the owner fails to act promptly, the Township
may take such repair as may be necessary, at its discretion, and the
owner shall be liable for all costs related thereto. A geothermal
heating system continuing wasteful or defective operation after the
expiration of the time provided by notice under this section shall
be prosecuted as a violation of this chapter.