(a) 
Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Building
means any structure designed, built for or used for occupancy by any person, firm, business or industry.
Dwelling
means any building or portion thereof which is designed for or used for residential purposes.
(b) 
Connection required.
It shall be unlawful to construct, alter, remodel, inhabit or occupy any dwelling or building without first connecting said dwelling or building to the municipal water and sewer facilities in full compliance with all other pertinent ordinances regulating the construction and repair of water and sewer lines.
(c) 
Requirements when public system is not available.
Every dwelling and/or building shall be connected with municipal water and sewer facilities where connection to such facilities is available to the property or is reasonably accessible by extension from existing facilities as determined by the city. If the city determines that it is not economically feasible for the city and/or property owner to extend existing water and/or sewer mains to the property line or make them otherwise reasonably accessible to a property line, then a property owner may request the city manager or his designee to issue a permit to drill a domestic water well and/or install an approved septic system on the property that complies with all city, county and state guidelines. Once city utilities are made reasonably accessible to a property upon which a water well or septic system was installed under this chapter, then the property owner shall have one year from the date such utilities become reasonably available to connect a dwelling and/or building on the property requiring the use of water and/or sewer to such facilities as required by this section. All water wells, surface privies, cesspools and septic tanks located on the property shall be removed, abandoned or otherwise abated in accordance with city, state and/or federal guidelines once connection is made to the municipal system.
(d) 
Fees.
All connections to water and sewer facilities shall be subject to the fees set forth in appendix A of this code. However, the city council may, upon a finding of good cause, waive all or any part of such fees as an inducement to voluntary annexation or for the purposes of economic development or as a part of a service plan for annexation of existing buildings or structures.
(1988 Code, ch. 11, sec. 14.00; Ordinance 1994-24, adopted 12/13/94; Ordinance 2009-16, sec. 1, adopted 7/13/09; 2010 Code, sec. 46-1)
(a) 
General prohibition.
From the date of the ordinance from which this section is derived forward, there shall be no water well drilling permitted for private use or consumption within the corporate limits of the city.
(b) 
Exceptions.
A lot owner may apply for an exception for a permit to drill a water well with the building official of the city for water amenities and/or an estate type lot or contiguous estate type lots owned by the same landowner that meet the following criteria:
(1) 
A water amenity must be architecturally designed or engineered by a registered architect or engineer and must consist of a minimum of two acres of surface area. The water amenity must be designed and constructed to assure proper water exchange and aeration to prevent mosquito growth and minimize seepage, algae growth and aquatic weeds and shall maintain an acceptable level of water quality and clarity.
(2) 
An estate type lot or two or more contiguous estate type lots owned by the same landowner that exceed five acres in total area and for which all grass located thereon shall be maintained at a height of less than four inches from the soil at all times.
(3) 
Properties other than estate type lots must exceed a minimum contiguous area of 15 acres and shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances of the city at a height less than 12 inches at all times.
(c) 
Standards.
Once the project is deemed to qualify for the exception, the following minimum requirements for private water wells drilled within the city limits are applicable:
(1) 
The property owner must submit a permit application to the city for approval.
(2) 
The well must be registered with the Coastal Bend Groundwater Conservation District.
(3) 
The well driller must be certified by the state and have a current registration.
(4) 
The casing of the well shall extend above the ground either to the level of the 100-year floodplain or 18 inches above the surface of the natural grade at the location of the well, whichever is greater.
(5) 
The well should be provided with a watertight concrete slab at least six feet in diameter, sloping one-half inch per foot away from the casing.
(6) 
A mixture of watertight concrete shall be placed around at least the upper ten feet of the well casing or deeper if necessary to reach the first clay formation.
(7) 
Concrete shall be a minimum of six inches thick for the slab and around the casing.
(8) 
The well shall be sealed between the pump, or suction pipe, and the well casing. A seal shall be provided between the surface slab and the well casing.
(9) 
The water well shall be provided with a vent which is turned down, screened and is 18 inches above the surface of the slab. This vent may be capped or plugged, if not applicable.
(10) 
No well shall exceed 250 feet in depth, and no well discharge shall be greater than three inches or have the pumping capacity to exceed 150 gallons per minute.
(11) 
Water wells shall be at least 200 feet from all property lines.
(12) 
Upon completion of the well the driller shall submit a copy of the final well log to the city utility superintendent.
(13) 
The city shall conduct an inspection of the well and site upon completion.
(14) 
It shall be a violation of this section to connect any private water source to any public water source.
(15) 
No private water well shall be used for domestic purposes whatsoever.
(16) 
Abandoned wells must be capped according to the state department of licensing and regulation, Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers Administrative Rule, section 76.1004, Technical Requirements–Standards for Capping of Wells.
(d) 
Fee.
A per-well fee shall be required as provided in appendix A of this code.
(1988 Code, ch. 11, sec. 9.00; Ordinance 1985-26, art. II, adopted 10/8/85; Ordinance 2004-04, adopted 3/23/04; Ordinance 2004-15, secs. 3, 4, adopted 11/23/04; Ordinance 2013-24, sec. 1, adopted 10/28/13; 2010 Code, sec. 46-49; Ordinance 2023-08 adopted 2/27/2023)