Brisbane Municipal Code Ch. 15.52 Well Construction

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them as follows:

A. "Annular space" means the space between two (2) objects, one of which is surrounded by the other, including the space between an excavation and the wall of a pit or the curbing of a well, or between two (2) casings.

B. "Approved check valve" means a check valve that seats readily and completely. It must be carefully machined to have free moving parts and assured watertightness. The face of the closure element and valve seat must be bronze, composition, or other noncorrodible material which will seat tightly under all prevailing conditions of field use. Pins and bushings shall be of bronze or other noncorrodible, nonsticking material, machined for easy dependable operation. The closure element (e.g., clapper) shall be internally weighted or otherwise internally equipped to promote rapid and positive closure.

C. "Health officer" means the director of the county department of public health and welfare, or his authorized representative, or such other person or persons as the city council may hereafter by resolution appoint to fulfill the duties now being performed by the director.

D. "Property line" means the surveyed line separating one piece of property from another or separating public rights-of-way from private properties.

E. "Sewer" means a pipe carrying waste matter from any structure or being a part of any community sewerage system.

F. "Sewage disposal system" means a system of septic tank drainage field and possibly a seepage pit, handling the waste from any structure not served by a community sewerage system.

G. "Water superintendent" means the designated official in charge of a water distribution system serving water to two (2) or more families.

(Ord. 27 § 2, 1962).

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, whether as principal, servant, agent or employee, to dig, drill, bore or drive a well whether the water from the well is to be used for domestic purposes or irrigation purposes, without first having obtained a permit to do so from the city department of public health and welfare.

(Ord. 27 § 1, 1962).

A. Upon application for permit to dig, drill, bore or drive a well, an inspection within a reasonable time shall be made of the proposed location by a representative of the county department of public health and welfare.

B. Further inspections may be made during process of well construction.

C. After well construction has been completed a final inspection shall be made to determine that the well is properly protected and that proper approved double check valves have been installed in the water line between the house or structure and the meter box or distribution system of the community water system.

(Ord. 27 § 6, 1962).

Section 3348 of County Ordinance No. 2324 establishing a fifty dollar ($50.00) well permit inspection fee, three (3) copies of which are filed with the city clerk, is adopted by reference as the applicable well permit and inspection fee for the city.

(Ord. 244 § 4, 1978).

In any area subject to flooding, or runoff from higher ground, or in any area where the method of sewage disposal is by the septic tank and seepage method, the following construction standards must be provided:

A. The annular space between two (2) casings or between the drilled hole and a casing is to be filled with cement having a minimum thickness of two (2) inches. Example: Annular space between an eight (8) inch casing and a twelve (12) inch casing or a twelve (12) inch drill hole and an eight (8) inch casing.

B. The cement shall extend to a sufficient depth to penetrate an impervious stratum below the first pervious or possible water bearing stratum, and in no event less than ten (10) feet.

C. The cement shall be introduced into the hole by pouring through a pipe, using either gravity or grout pump, and commencing at the bottom of the hole and working up to the top.

D. These standards may be required any time or place when in the opinion of the health officer, the protection of the underground water against pollution or contamination, or the protection of the public health may demand.

E. No well shall be located any closer than the following distances, unless circumstances are such that in the opinion of the health officer no danger to public health or safety will develop if the above standards are adhered to:

1. From a septic tank, fifty (50) feet;

2. From a drainage field, seventy-five (75) feet;

3. From a seepage pit, one hundred (100) feet;

4. From a cesspool, one hundred (100) feet;

5. From a sewer line, fifty (50) feet;

6. From a property line (sewered area), five (5) feet;

7. From a property line (unsewered area), forty (40) feet;

8. From a stream or creek bank, ten (10) feet.

(Ord. 27 § 3, 1962).

There shall be installed, between the house or structure being served water and the meter box or distribution system, a double check valve arrangement approved jointly by the health officer and water superintendent.

(Ord. 27 § 4, 1962).

A. All wells must be properly protected at the surface with an impervious slab extending at least twenty-four (24) inches to all sides of the well opening.

B. In areas where dug wells are the main source of available water, it will be necessary to have an impervious lining extending down at least ten (10) feet below the surface of the ground.

C. Gravel packed wells shall be so constructed that surface contamination will not gain access to the well.

D. Upon completion of a well, the drilling contractor shall be responsible for the placing of a secure well-cap or plug, such cap or plug being one which would ordinarily make the introduction of surface contamination remote.

(Ord. 27 § 5, 1962).

A. When a well is abandoned, it shall be properly capped or plugged, if abandonment is of a temporary nature, and shall be completely sealed by filling with a mixture of one part cement to four (4) parts sand, or with neat cement if abandoned permanently.

B. Upon determination that a well is polluted or contaminated and reasonable efforts to clear the pollution or contamination have been unsuccessful, the county health officer shall have the authority to enforce the permanent abandonment as directed in subsection A of this section.

(Ord. 27 § 8, 1962).

The health officer may prepare and issue written regulations deemed necessary to obtain compliance with this chapter and to clarify its relation with the laws of the state.

(Ord. 27 § 7, 1962).

Any installation made in violation of the terms of this chapter and standards established as provided for in this chapter is determined to constitute a public nuisance and its maintenance and operation may be abated in a civil action instituted by the district attorney of the county.

(Ord. 27 § 11, 1962).

The violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable by the fines, penalties and enforcement provisions set forth in Chapters 1.14, 1.16 and 1.18 of this code.

(Ord. 27 § 10, 1962).

(Ord. No. 554, § 55, 1-18-11)