Calaveras County Municipal Code Ch. 16.12 Proof of Ground Water

It is the purpose of this chapter to establish parameters for proof of ground water as it pertains to land development. With the exception of the East San Joaquin Ground Water Basin and Tertiary Calaveras River Channel System, ground water availability within the county is largely dependent upon the development of "hard rock" wells. These wells tap water from fracture patterns as well as faults and changes in stratigraphy (arrangement of strata). Due to the fact that ground water availability is geologically dependent, well production can and does vary greatly from one site to another. This chapter is established to assist in identification of ground water availability as it pertains to land development, although there can be no guarantee of the continued availability of an adequate and potable water supply once initial parameters of this chapter have been met.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Calaveras County Proof of Ground Water Ordinance.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Terms used in this chapter are defined in Chapter 16.03 of this code.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

This chapter establishes and adopts the official ground water map. The map shall depict ground water potential and shall identify the corresponding ground water zone. This map is available for review at the county environmental health and planning departments and may also be reviewed on the county's internet website. This map may be updated by resolution of the county board of supervisors.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Ground water designations shall be identified in two separate categories and reflected as ground water Zones I and II. Ground water Zone I shall designate zero to low ground water potential. Ground water Zone II shall designate moderate to high ground water potential. These designations shall directly correspond to the adopted ground water map.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Proof of ground water shall be made a condition of all tentative maps.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Proof of ground water shall be achieved by:

A. Development of a well on each individual parcel; and

B. Satisfaction of conditions cited in Section 16.12.090 of this chapter.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Proof of ground water shall be achieved by:

A. Analysis of well statements as submitted by a qualified professional identifying well yield from two wells within one thousand three hundred twenty feet of the proposed property lines for each individual parcel. Well statements shall be prepared and submitted for review by a qualified professional as defined in Chapter 16.03 of this code. Well statements shall include a source capacity report as cited in Section 16.12.090 of this chapter; or

B. Development of a well on the parcel being developed. This well can serve as proof of ground water to all proposed parcels within one thousand three hundred twenty feet. A well statement shall be prepared and submitted for review by a qualified professional as defined in Chapter 16.03 of this code. Well statements shall include a source capacity report as cited in Section 16.12.090 of this chapter; and

C. Satisfaction of conditions cited in Section 16.12.090 of this chapter.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Ground water conditions are as follows:

A. Source capacity of five gallons per minute shall be sustained during a twenty-four-hour period of continuous pumping, or until seven thousand two hundred gallons of water has been pumped, whichever is less. Capacity must be confirmed prior to recordation of the final map.

B. A source capacity report shall be filed with the department and shall include the following: identification of time and date for commencement and conclusion of pump test, well depth, static water level; identification of water level draw down as recorded every eight hours; identification of water level upon conclusion of the test, time for full recovery and meter readings including total gallons pumped as recorded by a continuous meter. Well completion reports shall not be used to determine source capacity.

C. Storage capacity may be used to supplement wells that do not meet the minimum yield. Storage capacity shall be based on the equivalent of a five-gallon per minute yield, or a seven thousand two hundred-gallon minimum capacity over a twenty-four-hour period.

D. Water must be potable.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

For any proposed parcel that lies within both Zone I and Zone II, the requirements of Section 16.02.080 of this code shall be met. An applicant shall clearly identify the ground water zone on the initial project application for any tentative map. Such identification shall be consistent with the official, most recently updated ground water map.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

Projects involving individual parcel development of forty acres in size or larger shall be exempt from the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).

A. The director of environmental health, or the director's designated representative, may approve a variance from the requirements of this chapter upon a finding that:

1. The proposed parcel lies within Zones I and II; and

2. Legal access to the known ground water sources is identified for the proposed parcel.

B. The director's decision may be appealed pursuant to Chapter 17.98 of this code.

(Ord. 2833 § 1(part), 2005: Ord. 2589 § 1(part), 1999).