Calaveras County Municipal Code Art. V Development

A. Development, re-development or re-conditioning of a well shall be accomplished by a method that will not cause damage to the aquifer or introduce contaminants or pollutants into the groundwater. The well driller shall exercise care and due diligence to prevent the development or occurrence of adverse conditions that may damage or destroy barriers to the vertical movement of water.

B. Acceptable well development, re-development or re-conditioning methods include, but are not limited to:

1. Over pumping;

2. Surging or swabbing by use of plungers;

3. Surging with compressed air;

4. Backwashing or surging by alternately starting and stopping the well pump;

5. Jetting with water;

6. Introducing specifically formulated chemicals into a well;

7. Hydraulic fracturing; and

8. Combinations of the above.

C. Hydraulic fracturing by means of an explosive charge is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

The top of the well casing must be protected at all times from the entry of foreign objects, contaminants or pollutants by use of a watertight cover. The cover shall be held in place in such a manner that it cannot be removed without the use of special equipment or tools. During construction of the well, the borehole opening shall be protected at all times from the entry of foreign objects, contaminants or pollutants.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

A. A concrete surface seal (in the form of a framed pad that is no less than twenty-four inches on each side) shall be installed around the well casing on all new wells at the time the annular seal is poured.

B. The concrete surface seal shall be monolithically poured on compacted native soil, shall have a minimum thickness of three and one half inches (the dimension of a wooden, 2 × 4 stud) above grade, shall be free from cracks or other defects, and shall be contiguous with the annular seal.

C. The concrete surface seal shall be graded to allow drainage to flow away from the well casing in all directions.

D. Any subsidence of the annular seal shall be filled with cement grout or neat cement prior to pouring the concrete surface seal.

E. Any subsidence of the concrete surface seal shall be filled with cement grout or neat cement.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

A. If the well pump is mounted directly over the casing, the base of the well pump shall be sealed with grout, mastic, caulking or other approved material to form a watertight joint between the well pump and the concrete surface seal.

B. If the well pump is mounted directly over the casing, all holes in the well pump shall be sealed and all holes that open directly into the well shall be sealed.

C. If the well pump is mounted directly over the casing, the seal at the base of the well pump shall be shaped in such a manner as to prevent the retention of water and the accumulation of foreign material.

D. If a submersible pump is installed, the top of the well casing shall be sealed with a sanitary seal. The sanitary seal shall be installed in such a manner as to ensure that all openings into the well are sealed with a watertight seal.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

A. If an air vent is provided, it shall extend at least twelve inches above the ground surface and be inverted in a downward direction. The end of the air vent shall be covered with a screen to prevent the entry of insects, spiders, or other small animals.

B. If a commercially manufactured sanitary seal is used, a sounding tube will not be required, provided the sanitary seal is approved by the director and is designed in a manner that allows the well to be chlorinated and the water level sounded.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

A. All pump discharge pipes shall be equipped with an approved backflow prevention device to prevent backflow or back siphonage into the well. An air gap may be considered to be an acceptable backflow prevention device.

B. No person shall install any equipment or mechanism that uses chemical feeders or injectors to a pump discharge pipe without the installation of an approved backflow prevention device.

C. The installation of a backflow prevention device is required for all public water wells pursuant to Chapter 5, Article 2, California Health and Safety Code.

D. No person shall make or allow any connection to exist between any conduit that conveys domestic water, and:

1. Any conduit that conveys non-potable water from any other water source;

2. Any conduit that conveys water that has been used previously for any purpose whatsoever, and

3. Any conduit that conveys any biological or any chemical contaminant or pollutant.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).

A. The use of subsurface vaults to house the well head and appurtenances is prohibited.

B. The director may grant a variance or an exemption, in consideration of any circumstance whereby an unnecessary hardship would result from the application of the standard, and where the granting of such a variance or an exemption would neither cause nor create a hazardous condition or endanger public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 2946, § 1, 5-6-2008).