[Added by Ord. No. 05-4]
Copies of the final well testing report are required to be submitted under § 296-62 (subdivisions) and § 296-73 (site plans). Steps in the preparation of the well testing are as follows:
A. 
Submit two copies of the preliminary hydrogeologic report/aquifer test plan for review by the municipality's appointed hydrogeologist, along with escrow funds as stated in Schedule IV, Schedule of Fees, attached to this chapter, a completed W-9 form, and a completed aquifer test plan application form.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
B. 
After approval of the test plan, conduct notification of proximate well/spring owners and prepare their water sources as observation wells for the aquifer test.
C. 
Perform three phases of the aquifer test, specifically:
(1) 
Background monitoring.
(2) 
Pumping test.
(3) 
Recovery monitoring.
D. 
Sample representative wells for selected drinking water qualify parameters.
E. 
Prepare and submit the draft hydrogeologic report for review by the municipality's appointed hydrogeologist.
F. 
Respond to comments from reviewers and finalize report.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ACT, STATE
Refers to the Private Well Testing Act, P.L. 2001, c. 40, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-26 et seq., which applies to buyers, sellers and lessors of certain real property as follows:
A. 
All contracts of sale for any real property in which the potable water supply is a private well located on the property, or for any other real property in which the potable water supply is a well that has fewer than 15 service connections or that does not regularly serve an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year, shall include a provision requiring the testing of that water supply for certain parameters as set forth in the Act.
B. 
The lessor of any real property in which the potable water supply is a private well for which testing of the water is not required pursuant to any other state law. The leaser shall test that water supply for certain parameters as set forth in the Act. Testing of the water is required at least once every five years. In addition, within 30 days after receipt of the test results, a written copy of the results must be provided to each rental unit and each new lessee.
APPLICANT
A developer or property owner submitting an application for development or permit to install or use a well.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
The application form and all accompanying documents required by ordinance for approval of a subdivision plat, site plan, planned development, conditional use, zoning variance, or direction of the issuance of a permit pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-34 or 40:55D-36.
AQUIFER
A formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield economic quantities of water to wells and springs.
AQUIFER TEST
A three-part test conducted to obtain background, pumping, and recovery data/information from a pumping well and observation wells in order to determine aquifer hydraulic characteristics and assess potential water-level drawdown (well interference) to nearby wells.
AQUIFER, CONFINED
An aquifer that is overlain by a confining bed. The confining bed has a significantly lower hydraulic conductivity than the aquifer. "Artesian aquifer" is a synonym.
AQUIFER, SEMI-CONFINED
An aquifer overlain by a low-permeability layer that permits water to slowly migrate through to the aquifer. Also termed "leaky artesian or leaky confined aquifer."
AQUIFER, UNCONFINED
An aquifer in which there are no confining beds between the zone of saturation and the ground surface. "Water table aquifer" is a synonym.
CERTIFIED LABORATORY
Any laboratory, facility, consulting firm, government or private agency, business entity or other person that the NJDEP has authorized, pursuant to the Regulations Governing the Certification of Laboratories and Environmental Measurements, N.J.A.C. 7:18, to perform analysis in accordance with the procedures of a given analytical method using a particular technique as set forth in a certain methods reference document, and to report the results from the analysis of environmental samples in compliance with a NJDEP regulatory program.
CONE OF DEPRESSION
The area around a pumping well in which the head (water level) in the aquifer has been lowered by pumping action.
CONFINING BED
A body of low hydraulic conductivity material that is stratigraphically adjacent to one or more aquifers.
CONTAMINANT
Any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter that has an adverse affect on air, water or soil quality.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase, or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DRAWDOWN
The lowering of the water table of an unconfined aquifer or the potentiometric surface of a semi-confined or confined aquifer caused by pumping of groundwater from a well or wells. Drawdown is determined by subtracting the depth to water during pumping from the static water level determined prior to the start of pumping.
DRINKING WATER QUALITY STANDARD
A standard that applies to a constituent or contaminant that is required to be tested pursuant to the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq., including a maximum contaminant level, recommended limits, or in the case of lead, an action level.
EXCEEDANCE
The concentration of a constituent or contaminant that is greater than an MCL, action level, standard or recommended upper limit for that given constituent or contaminant.
FRACTURE TRACE
The surface representation of a fracture zone as determined from an analysis of aerial photographs in stereo pair.
GROUNDWATER
Water in the ground that is in the zone of saturation from which wells, springs and stream base flow (dry weather stream flow) are supplied.
HEAD, STATIC
The height above a standard datum of the surface of a column of water that can be supported by the static pressure at a given point. In a groundwater system, it is composed of elevation head and pressure head.
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
The capacity of a geologic formation to transmit water. It is expressed as the volume of water at the prevailing density and viscosity that will move in unit time under a unit hydraulic gradient through a unit area measured at right angle to the direction of flow.
HYDRAULIC GRADIENT
The change in static head per unit of distance measured in a given direction.
HYDROGEOLOGY
The study of groundwater with particular emphasis given to its chemistry, mode of migration, and relation to the geologic environment.
INFILTRATION
The flow of water downward from the land surface into and through the upper soil layers.
IRRIGATION SYSTEM
Equipment, including but not limited to pumps, piping, and sprinkler heads, used to distribute water to grasses, landscape materials, crops, and other vegetation.
LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY
A county, regional or municipal health agency that serves as the lead point of contact with the NJDEP on environmental issues. This agency would ordinarily be the local health agency certified pursuant to the County Environmental Health Act (CEHA), N.J.S.A. 26:3A2-21 et seq. In those counties that do not have a certified CEHA health agency, the local health authority is the agency that serves as the lead for administering the Local Information Networks and Communication System (LINCS) as designated by the Department of Health.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
MAXIMUM CONTAMINANT LEVEL (MCL)
The maximum permissible concentration of a constituent in drinking water. Maximum contaminant levels shall apply to public and non-public water systems, in accordance with the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act, N.J.S.A. 58:12A-1 et seq., and implementing rules at N.J.A.C. 7:10.
NJDEP
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
OBSERVATION WELL
A non-pumping well used to observe the elevation of the water table or the potentiometric surface. An observation well is generally constructed similar to a pumping well. Observation wells are also referred to as "monitoring wells." Observation wells are required to measure water level drawdown during the aquifer pumping test and also for the calculation of aquifer hydraulic characteristics. The specific requirements for observation wells for both residential and commercial developments are provided in Table B, Observation Well Requirements, of this article.
PARAMETER
A general term that includes other terms such as contaminant, constituent, substance, metal, organic/inorganic chemical, and characteristics that are used to designate an analyte, group of analytes, attribute, or physical property.
POINT-OF-ENTRY TREATMENT (POET) DEVICE
A water treatment device applied to the drinking water entering a house or building for the purpose of reducing contaminants in the drinking water distributed to the entire house or building. Examples of POET devices include devices such as calcite filters and ion exchange (water softeners).
POROSITY
The voids or openings in rock and soil. Porosity may be expressed quantitatively as the ratio of the volume of openings in a rock or soil to the total volume of the rock or soil.
POROSITY, EFFECTIVE
The amount of interconnected pore space available for fluid transmission.
POROSITY, PRIMARY
The porosity that represents the original pore openings when a rock or sediment was formed.
POROSITY, SECONDARY
The porosity that has been caused by fractures or weathering in a rock or sediment after it has been formed.
POTABLE WATER
Any water used, or intended to be used, for drinking and/or culinary purposes which is free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects and complies with the bacteriological and chemical quality standards of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:10.
PRIVATE WELL
A potable water well that serves a dwelling unit and is located on the same real property as the dwelling unit.
PUMPING TEST
A test made by pumping a well for a period of time and observing the change in water levels (hydraulic head) in pumping and observation wells in the aquifer.
PUMPING TEST, CONSTANT RATE
A pumping test during which the discharge rate from the pumping well is maintained at a constant rate for the duration of the test.
QUALIFIED HYDROGEOLOGIST
An individual who has received a minimum of a bachelor's degree in geology at an accredited institution or has completed an equivalent of 30 semester hours of geological education (including at least two accredited courses in hydrogeology) while obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field of engineering or science at an accredited institution. Such a person must also demonstrate eight years of professional work experience in the practice of applying geologic and hydrogeologic principals to interpretation of groundwater conditions and in the running of aquifer tests and the analysis of aquifer test data. The individual shall provide a resume or curriculum vitae to document education and experience requirements.
RECHARGE AREA
An area in which there are downward components of head (water levels) in an aquifer. Infiltration moves downward to deeper parts of an aquifer in a recharge area.
RECOVERY
The rate at which the water level in a well rises after the pump has been shut off. Recovery is the inverse of drawdown.
SECONDARY PARAMETER
A drinking water contaminant regulated for aesthetic purposes rather than health effects under the Safe Drinking Water Act rules at N.J.A.C. 7:10. Secondary parameters include pH, iron and manganese.
STATIC WATER LEVEL
The depth to water in a well prior to the commencement of pumping.
STORAGE COEFFICIENT (STORATIVITY)
The volume of water an aquifer releases or takes into storage per unit surface area of the aquifer per unit change in head. It equals the product of specific storage and aquifer thickness. Also known as "storativity."
TRANSMISSIVITY
The rate at which water of a prevailing density and viscosity is transmitted through a unit width of an aquifer under a unit hydraulic gradient. Transmissivity equals hydraulic conductivity times aquifer thickness.
WATER TABLE
The surface in an unconfined aquifer or confining bed at which the pore water pressure is atmospheric. It is defined by the levels at which water stands in wells that penetrate the water body just far enough to hold standing water.
WELL
A hole or excavation larger than four inches in diameter or a hole or excavation deeper than 10 feet in depth that is drilled, bored, cored, driven, jetted, dug, or otherwise constructed for the purpose of removal or emplacement of, or investigation of, or exploration for, fluids, water, oil, gas, minerals, soil, or rock.
WELL INTERFERENCE
The result of two or more pumping wells, the drawdown cones of which intercept. At a given location, the total well interference is the sum of the drawdown due to each individual pumping well.
WELL PERMIT
Refers to a written approval issued by the NJDEP, pursuant to well construction and maintenance at N.J.A.C. 7:9D, to a licensed well driller, which authorizes a licensed well driller of the proper class to construct a well or wells.
WELL RECORD
The form provided by the NJDEP that depicts the construction details of a well, which is completed by the well driller subsequent to well permit issuance and well installation.
A. 
Purpose and intent. The objective of the water quality evaluation is to assess if the proposed water supply sources for a development or commercial establishment meet NJDEP drinking water quality MCLs. In the event that one or more constituents do not meet the applicable MCLs, standard treatment systems need to be readily available.
B. 
Groundwater quality determination.
(1) 
Groundwater quality will be determined for the pumping well and on-site observation wells as part of this program. Groundwater samples from the pumping well, used for the aquifer pumping test, will be collected during the pumping phase of that test.
(2) 
The water samples from the on-site observation wells can be collected either three days in advance or three days after the pumping test has been completed. The samples must be collected in accordance with the NJDEP Field Procedures Manual. At a minimum, the samples shall be analyzed by an NJDEP-certified laboratory for hardness, gross alpha particle activity, arsenic, iron, manganese, copper, lead, nitrate, and total and fecal coliform bacteria. The samples shall also be analyzed for volatile organic compounds for which the United States Environmental Protection Agency or NJDEP has determined maximum contaminant levels using USEPA Method 524.2.
(3) 
During the pumping test, field measurements of pH, conductivity/total dissolved solids and temperature shall be made with calibrated instruments.
(4) 
If site conditions or the site history indicate the potential historic use of materials containing heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, or other volatile or semi-volatile organic compounds at or near the site, these analyses must also be conducted.
(5) 
Based on past historical operations at the site or at nearby properties, the Board, at its discretion, may require additional analyses of the groundwater to assess current and potential future impacts. The results of the water sample analyses will be used to assess background (pre-development) water quality conditions.
A hydrogeologic report must be submitted with each application for subdivision of two or more lots and all site plans. This report shall document the design and implementation of the aquifer test and include the following data, information and analysis:
A. 
Calculations of aquifer characteristics such as transmissivity and storage coefficient, calculations of the cone of depression, potential impacts to adjacent well owners, and an evaluation of the long-term sustained yield for the wells.
B. 
All water-level measurements obtained during the three phases of the aquifer test in electronic format acceptable to the Township.
C. 
A detailed hydrogeologic description of the aquifers encountered beneath the site and adjacent properties.
D. 
A detailed evaluation of the water supply demand for an average and peak day. This demand should be supported with information on anticipated population, expected unit density, size of units, lawn and garden irrigation needs, pool filling requirements, and other anticipated water uses.
E. 
An inventory of all wells within 1,000 feet of the proposed subdivision/site plan boundaries appended and placed on a base map of the site area. This inventory must be submitted in electronic format acceptable to the Township.
F. 
Figures depicting site geology, topography, surface water bodies, water level elevations, groundwater flow, and development plans.
G. 
All laboratory water quality sampling data tabulated and summarized. One copy of the laboratory reports is necessary for filing with the Township.
H. 
A detailed evaluation of potential impacts from subsurface sewage disposal systems on groundwater quality. A site plan depicting topography, actual and planned well locations, septic leach field locations, and fracture trace locations at a minimum scale of one inch equals 200 feet should be included. For any and all locations where a fracture or set of fractures intersects one or more wells and/or septic leach fields, a detailed assessment of treatment technologies should be included. The treatment technologies should provide adequate assurances that any and all groundwater pumped from the wells will satisfy federal and New Jersey drinking water standards (MCLs) and will not be degraded by the septic leach field discharges.
I. 
The hydrogeologic report shall be prepared and signed by a qualified hydrogeologist using applicable sections of GSR 29 or successor document as a guide.
J. 
The hydrogeologic report shall include the name and license number of the well driller and pump installer. The report shall include the names of the persons and firm responsible for collecting the water level measurements. In addition, the report shall include copies of the completed NJDEP well records.
A. 
Precipitation. A test conducted during a period in which 0.5 inch or more of precipitation is recorded at or near the site must be repeated or technical documentation provided that the precipitation event had no impact on water levels 24 hours before, during, and 24 hours after the test.
B. 
Background phase. Antecedent influences must be determined and, if necessary, water level data from the pumping phase and recovery phase must be corrected. Insufficient data to assess these influences will require repetition of all three phases of the aquifer test.
C. 
Pumping phase.
(1) 
If the pumping rate does not exceed the average daily demand by 120% or the peak day demand cannot be pumped within a twenty-four-hour period, the aquifer beneath the site may be deemed insufficient to meet the proposed demands and the applicant may need to review and adjust the site demand and development units. Some alternatives include:
(a) 
Repeating the pumping test with two or more pumping wells to achieve average or twenty-four-hour peak day demand for a development. This may be particularly applicable for large developments in low-yielding bedrock aquifer systems.
(b) 
Decreasing the number of developed lots.
(c) 
Rearranging the lot configuration.
(2) 
If the pumping rate varies by more than 10% of the average flow rate, the entire test shall be repeated.
(3) 
If the pump shuts down during the pumping phase, the entire test must be repeated.
(4) 
If water levels in the pumping and/or observation wells exceed the measurement capacity of the devices used for measuring changes in water levels and measurements are not recorded with other devices in accordance with the schedule listed in Table A-1, the test must be repeated.
(5) 
If the pumping data indicate a change in aquifer transmissivity as a result of fracture dewatering, all analyses of the potential radius of influence and impacts to neighbors, streams, and wetlands must be conducted using the lower value of aquifer transmissivity. If this lower aquifer transmissivity indicates that the anticipated demand cannot be supported by the aquifer beneath the site, the applicant will need to review and adjust the site demand and development units as outlined in Subsection C(1) above.
D. 
Recovery phase.
(1) 
For purposes of evaluating water level recovery, the recovery phase duration will be equal to the pumping phase duration. For example, if the pumping phase is eight hours in duration, water levels eight hours after the pump has been turned off will be compared to the pre-pumping static water level to assess recovery magnitude and degree of recovery.
(2) 
If water level recovery is less than 90% of full recovery at the end of a recovery phase of similar duration as the pumping phase, the applicant must show through standard/recognized aquifer test analytical methods and calculations that the well or wells are capable of full recovery. If full recovery cannot be shown or groundwater mining/dewatering has occurred, the applicant will need to review and adjust the site demands and development units as outlined in Subsection C(1).
E. 
Neighboring well.
(1) 
If the drawdown is measured or projected to be more than one foot at any existing adjacent property well or along the subdivision boundary, the applicant's hydrogeologist must evaluate long-term potential impacts to adjacent properties based on the actual operating condition of wells in that zone or along that portion of the subdivision/site plan boundary.
(2) 
If a drawdown of five feet or more (this may be adjusted by a Township hydrogeologist and should take lot sizes into account) is noted in any existing adjacent property well, or is projected at any property boundary, then the aquifer will be deemed to have insufficient transmissivity and capacity to support the proposed subdivision/site plan. The applicant will need to review the site demand, development units, and well locations to ensure that drawdown will not exceed five feet at any site boundaries.
F. 
Impacts to streams and wetlands. If drawdown is measured or projected to induce leakage from streams or wetlands such that base flow in these streams will be directly reduced or wetlands partially or entirely dewatered, then the demand and development units must be reduced to prevent adverse impacts to stream flow and wetlands.
G. 
Additional testing. Any test that must be repeated, restarted, or re-conducted at a reduced demand must satisfy all the requirements of this article, including but not limited to renotification of all property owners within 500 feet and resubmission of an aquifer test plan for Board approval prior to implementation of the test.
A. 
The first test phase will involve the collection of background water levels prior to the start of the test. The second test phase will involve the pumping of water from the well and the monitoring of water level drawdown in the observation and pumping wells. The third test phase will involve the measurement of water level recovery in the observation and pumping wells after the pump has been shut down. This third phase of the test must, at a minimum, be the same length as the pumping phase.
B. 
The aquifer test (all three phases) shall not be conducted during a precipitation event or events in which total precipitation equals or exceeds 0.5 inch. Precipitation must be recorded with a National Weather Service acceptable rain gauge on site during all phases of testing, and measurements for each day must be included in the hydrogeologic report. If precipitation occurs during the test, the applicant shall provide precipitation amounts and sufficient data to show that the precipitation did not recharge the aquifer during the test and impair the test results. If precipitation amounts exceeding 0.5 inch are recorded, the test may have to be repeated.
C. 
The pumping equipment must be installed in the pumping well at least 24 hours prior to the start of the background phase.
D. 
Prior to starting the background phase, water levels in the test well and observation wells must be permitted to stabilize for a minimum of three days after all drilling activities are completed.
E. 
During the background phase, water levels should be collected at a minimum of one measurement per hour for the twenty-four-hour period prior to the start of the pumping test. It is the applicant's responsibility to collect sufficient data to determine background conditions and to ensure that antecedent influences can be fully characterized. Barometric measurements and additional water level measurements can be made by the applicant to evaluate the change in water levels resulting from barometric pressure changes and/or influences from off-site pumping.
F. 
On the day of the pumping phase, water levels shall be collected from the pumping and observation wells to determine static water level conditions prior to the start of pumping. Water levels in wells on neighboring properties should be allowed to stabilize to at or near static prior to the start of pumping. For any observation well which has been pumped within the 24 hours preceding the test, two depth-to-water measurements, at least one hour apart, shall be collected to assess if the well has fully recovered prior to the start of pumping.
G. 
When the aquifer test is started, the pumping flow rate shall be adjusted, within the first several minutes of pumping, to a uniform (constant) pumping rate as required for a constant-rate test and in accordance with the approved aquifer test plan. The flow rate shall not vary by more than 10% throughout the test. If the flow rate fluctuates more than 10%, the test may be deemed invalid and the applicant will be required to repeat the notification and testing process.
H. 
Water level measurements during the pumping phase of the test shall be collected in accordance with Table A-1. This same schedule shall be followed for the recovery phase of testing upon shutdown of the pump in the test well.
Table A-1: Minimum Frequency of Water-Level Measurements in Wells During Pumping and Recovery Phases of Aquifer Test
Time Since Pumping Began or Stopped
Test Well
Observation Well
0 to 5 minutes
0.5 minute
0.5 minute
5 to 10 minutes
1 minute
1 minute
10 to 30 minutes
2 minutes
2 minutes
30 to 60 minutes
5 minutes
5 minutes
60 to 120 minutes
10 minutes
10 minutes
2 to 24 hours
30 minutes
30 minutes
I. 
Aquifer pumping test rate and duration. The rate and duration of the aquifer test will depend upon the size of the proposed development and expected average and peak daily demands for water.
(1) 
The average daily and average yearly water demand for human consumption within the subdivision or site plan must be determined according to the guidelines in N.J.A.C. 7:10-12.6. Demand calculations must include irrigation systems, if proposed, and water usage for filling of swimming pools and all other demands. The peak day demand is twice the average daily demand. For nonresidential developments, peak day demand must include seasonal factors.
(2) 
The pumping phase must simulate peak day demand and, therefore, the pumping phase duration is not to extend more than 24 hours. The minimum pumping rate is calculated by dividing the peak day demand by 1,440 minutes per twenty-four-hour period. If the well yield is sufficient, shorter pumping periods can be used, but should be no less than eight hours in duration.
(3) 
If the demand exceeds 100,000 gallons per day, a New Jersey water allocation permit must be obtained from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
(4) 
For mixed developments containing both residential and nonresidential properties, each portion will be tested separately. Wells installed for the residential portion must be used as observation wells for the nonresidential testing and wells installed for nonresidential use must be used as observation wells for the residential testing.
(5) 
The pumping rate will be determined by equipping the discharge pipe with a calibrated flow meter to measure flow rate and determine total volume pumped from the well.
(6) 
The discharge shall be directed so that it leaves the site without infiltrating to the aquifer. The pumped water discharge location must be at least 200 feet from the pumping well. Any and all permits required by the NJDEP and/or local authorities for the discharge of pumped water must be obtained prior to starting the test.
A. 
The number of observation wells required per aquifer test will depend on the number of dwelling units and/or commercial water demand. New and existing observation wells may be located such that they can be used as future water supply wells but they shall be located in such a manner that will yield the most accurate information concerning the aquifer.
B. 
Observation wells should be completed to similar depths as the pumping well.
C. 
Observation wells must be located parallel and perpendicular to strike of the primary regional fractures and those intersected by the tested well. Additional observation wells should be located to evaluate potential secondary fractures and impacts to adjacent properties.
D. 
A fracture trace analysis showing the location and orientation of fracture lineaments must be included with the aquifer test plan. This same analysis with additional information regarding septic system locations must be included in the final hydrogeologic report. The fracture trace analysis must be used to identify all observation wells on the site and to identify neighboring property owners' wells to be monitored during the test.
E. 
All wells must be located in accordance with the minimum distances required by N.J.A.C. 7:10 12.12.
F. 
One observation well should be located within 200 feet of the test well and at least one observation well should be located along a fracture trace or preferential fracture direction between 200 and 500 feet from the pumping well.
G. 
For residential developments of two new residential units or more, the number of observation wells shall be as shown in Table B-1.
H. 
For nonresidential developments with anticipated daily demands exceeding 800 gallons per day, the number of observation wells shall be as shown in Table B-2.
I. 
The observation wells and the pumping well must have a geologic log describing the depth and types of soils and rocks encountered and the depth and yields of all water-bearing fracture zones. The logs must include static water level measurements and total yield estimates for each well.
Table B-1: Observation Well Requirements for Residential Subdivisions
Number of Proposed New Units
Number of Observation Wells
2 to 5
2 (minimum of 1 new well within proposed development)
6 to 25
3 (minimum of 2 new wells within proposed development)
26 to 49
5 (minimum of 4 new wells within proposed development)
50 or more
Test proposal submitted to Board and NJDEP for review and approval
Table B-2: Observation Well Requirements for Nonresidential Developments.
Average Demand (gallons per day)
Number of Observation Wells
800 to 1,999
2 (minimum of 1 new well within proposed development)
2,000 to 9,999
3 (minimum of 2 new wells within proposed development)
10,000 to 99,999
5 (minimum of 2 new wells within proposed development)
100,000 or more
Obtain NJDEP water allocation permit
A. 
Notification.
(1) 
Owners of existing wells and springs on lots located within 500 feet of the subdivision/site plan boundary shall be given an opportunity to have their wells/springs monitored during the aquifer test.
(2) 
Such opportunity shall be given by the applicant by notice via certified mail and shall state the time and place of the aquifer test and any other additional information as may be required by the Planning Board. A notice acceptable to the Township of Raritan is included in the aquifer test application package.
(3) 
The notice shall indicate that such existing well may be monitored, if agreed to by the well owner, provided the well is readily accessible. Such notice shall indicate that the existing well owner must respond within seven days of notice receipt and the applicant's responsibility is to monitor up to three wells on properties within 500 feet of the subdivision boundaries.
(4) 
The applicant shall provide a certificate of insurance for itself and all contractors utilized and pay all costs associated with the monitoring of any existing residential well.
(5) 
Prior to monitoring, all buried wells must be raised to a minimum of 12 inches above grade to allow access and retrofitted with pitless well adapters, etc.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(6) 
All wells shall be chlorinated each time they are opened for service or monitoring, unless the owner specifically waives the requirement of chlorination in writing.
(7) 
The costs of extending, restoring or replacing a well damaged as a result of testing shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
(8) 
The applicant shall indemnify and hold the Township and its consultants and representatives harmless from any liability in connection with these testing requirements.
B. 
Response.
(1) 
If the owner of a lot within 500 feet of the subdivision boundaries decides to participate by agreeing to have their existing well monitored, they shall notify the applicant by certified mail.
(2) 
Such response shall be provided within seven days of receipt of the certified notice from the applicant.
(3) 
If the applicant receives no response within the time provided, the response shall be deemed to be negative.
C. 
Protection of monitored wells and selection of wells for monitoring.
(1) 
All reasonable efforts must be made to protect the potability of water from the monitored well.
(2) 
In the case when more than three property owners within 500 feet of the subdivision boundaries decide to participate and to have their existing wells monitored, only three must be monitored.
(3) 
However, if any of the property owners requesting monitoring have wells completed to a depth less than 100 feet, these wells must also be monitored in addition to three other wells.
(4) 
A map depicting the location of all wells to be monitored and a list of all property owners within 500 feet of the subdivision boundary that requested monitoring is to be submitted to the Board's hydrogeologist for review and approval prior to implementing the test.
(5) 
The observation wells on neighboring properties should be selected to assess whether water level drawdown impacts from the pumping well will extend beyond the subdivision boundary in any direction.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
(6) 
The Board reserves the right to retain a qualified hydrogeologist to review the proposed monitoring locations and to make recommendations to revise the locations to be monitored.
Sample notices shall follow the form as recommended and approved by the Township Planning Board. An application package containing the recommended form shall be kept on file in the Planning Board office.