It is the purpose of this chapter to establish minimum requirements and standards for well construction, maintenance, abandonment or destruction; and establish objectives, criteria and procedures regulating such activities, consistent with the following policies:
A. 
To regulate those activities not already regulated by the State Regional Water Quality Control Board, Yolo County Board of Supervisors or other state or county entities, except where more stringent controls are required than provided by those agencies;
B. 
To establish and maintain standards that will assure protection of the City's ground waters and maintain a safe potable water supply for the public.
(Prior code § 23C-8-1)
"Air-conditioning well"
means a well constructed or used to return to the ground, water which has been used as a coolant or heating agent in any air-conditioning process.
"Inactive or standby well"
means a well not routinely operating but capable of being made operable with a minimum of effort.
"Observation and monitoring well"
means a well constructed for the purpose of observing or monitoring ground water.
"Recharge or injection well"
means a well constructed to introduce water into the ground as a means of replenishing ground water basins or disposing of wastewater or other fluids.
"Test well"
means a well constructed for obtaining the information needed to design a well prior to its construction. Test wells are cased and can be converted to observation or monitoring wells and, under certain circumstances, to production wells.
"Well" and "water well"
means any artificial excavation constructed by any method for the purpose of extracting water from, or injecting water into, the underground.
(Prior code § 23C-8-2)
A. 
No person shall construct, reconstruct, repair, or abandon any well without a valid permit to do so.
B. 
No person shall make a material change in the use of any well without a valid permit to do so.
C. 
No person shall construct, reconstruct, abandon, or materially change the use of any well in violation of the conditions set forth in the permit therefor.
D. 
Permits may be obtained by preparing and filing an application therefor on forms available from the City Engineer.
(Prior code § 23C-8-3)
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to persons holding valid domestic water supply permits issued by the State of California.
(Prior code § 23C-8-4)
A. 
All wells shall be constructed, reconstructed, repaired, maintained, abandoned or changed in use only in accordance with the standards and regulations set forth in this chapter.
B. 
Wells left unattended or awaiting reconstruction, repair or abandonment shall be temporarily capped to prevent the inflow of surface materials or access from the surface.
C. 
In addition to the standards and regulations of this chapter, all wells shall be in compliance with all other state and county regulations.
D. 
The construction, alteration, repair or destruction of wells shall be performed by contractors properly licensed by the State of California.
E. 
Test wells, test holes or test boring that are not converted to permanent wells shall be sealed or abandoned with puddled clay or cement grout as soon as they have served their purpose.
F. 
Observation wells shall be completed with screenings, casing, seals, etc., as required of permanent wells.
(Prior code § 23C-8-5)
A. 
Administration of the provisions of this chapter will be performed by the City Engineer or authorized representative, and his or her duties shall include:
1. 
To review and examine all applications for permits and to approve, deny, or approve with conditions such permits;
2. 
To file petitions with the City Council to revoke permits;
3. 
To investigate pollution and public nuisances regarding wells and to recommend institution of abatement proceedings;
4. 
To inspect, examine and monitor the projects and activities regulated by this chapter;
5. 
To maintain records of construction, inspections, and all other activities regulated by this chapter.
B. 
The duties of the Chief Building Inspector shall include:
1. 
Receiving applications for permits required by this chapter;
2. 
Issuing permits as approved by the City Engineer;
3. 
Inspecting construction, reconstruction, repairs, abandonment, or change in use or operations of wells and water-wells.
(Prior code § 23C-8-6)
Any person objecting to the denial of a permit, the conditions placed on a permit, or notice of revocation of a permit shall have the right to appeal the decision of the City Engineer to the City Council, by filing written notice of appeal with the City Clerk within 10 days of the date of the action complained of. A hearing before the City Council shall be set within 30 days of the date of filing the notice of appeal. The fee for filing such appeal shall be that set by resolution of the City Council.
(Prior code § 23C-8-7)
Existing wells and water wells, including observation wells, injection and recharge wells, inactive and standby wells shall be registered with the Public Works Director within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter.
(Prior code § 23C-8-8)