Kern County Municipal Code Art. III Well Standards

A. It shall be unlawful for any person to drill, dig, excavate or bore any well in any location in which sources of pollution or contamination are known to exist at such location whereby ground water may become contaminated or polluted even when the well is properly constructed and maintained.

B. It shall be unlawful to locate a well and utilize the well for future domestic purposes on lots in the residential or estate zone districts when a connection with a public water supply system willing and able to serve such development is available within the public water supply system service area or when a connection already exists.

C. All wells shall be located an adequate horizontal distance from potential sources of contamination and pollution, with due consideration given to local geological conditions and soil permeability. In any event, as a minimum, the following setback distances shall apply:

1. Septic tank or sewer line, one hundred (100) feet;

2. Subsurface sewage leaching field, one hundred (100) feet;

3. Cesspool, seepage pit or pit privy, one hundred fifty (150) feet;

4. Hazardous material site, two hundred (200) feet;

5. Animal enclosures, one hundred (100) feet;

6. Stormwater runoff sump or agricultural drainage sump, one hundred (100) feet;

7. Front property line (not including easements), twenty-five (25) feet;

8. Other property line (not including easements), five (5) feet;

9. Agricultural or industrial well, two hundred (200) feet;

10. Another well (except hard rock), one hundred (100) feet;

11. Class I, II, III waste disposal well, two hundred (200) feet.

D. The effect on surrounding properties must be considered when measuring setback distances. No approval by the department should limit or hinder the free and equal use of property by adjacent property owners, except where they have given their approval in writing to the applicant. Such written approval shall be in a form satisfactory to the department and may be required to be recorded with the county recorder.

E. Where extraordinary danger of degradation exists or special hazards are involved, the above distances shall be increased, or special means of protection particularly in the construction of the well, shall be provided as determined by the health officer. All wells shall be located up gradient from the specified source of contamination.

F. All wells drilled within an A (agricultural) zone district shall be set back a distance of seventy (70) feet from midsection lines and eighty (80) feet from section lines, except that where circumstances justify, an administrative variance may be granted pursuant to Section 14.08.380.

G. The top of the well casing shall extend a minimum of one (1) foot above the 100-year (one hundred-year) base flood elevation as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency ("FEMA"), county engineering and survey services department or by any special flood study approved by representatives of the county. The proposed well site shall meet the minimum standards as provided in Chapter 17.48 of this code.

H. Where the proposed well is to be located near a building, such well shall be located far enough from the building so that it will be accessible for repair, maintenance, etc.

I. The proposed well may not be moved more than five (5) feet from the originally approved site location without a reinspection of the new site being performed by the health officer.

(Ord. G-7417 § 7, 2006; Ord. G-6906 § 8, 2002; Ord. G-6776 § 7, 2001; Ord. G-5356 § 4, 1990; Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Well casing shall be new with a minimum thickness of 3/16 ″ (0.188″). All other requirements for casing materials and installation shall be as outlined in Chapter II, Part II, Section 12 of Bulletin 74-81 "Water Well Standards"—State of California." Provided, however, that the use of fiberglass casing is not approved. PVC well casing must display the letters NSF-wc (National Sanitation Foundation well casing.)

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

A. Except as otherwise specified, the standards for the construction, repair, reconstruction or destruction of wells shall be as set forth in:

1. Department of Water Resources Bulletin 74-81. The California Department of Water Resources Bulletin 74-81 "Water Well Standards, State of California" except as modified by subsequent revisions;

2. All Subsequent Supplements and Revisions. All subsequent Bulletin 74-81 supplements or revisions issued by the Department of Water Resources, once the revised standards have been reviewed at appropriate public hearing.

B. Drilling Fluids or Additives. The use of any used drilling fluids or additives for any purpose in the construction of a well is prohibited.

C. The use of any polluted or contaminated water in the actual drilling process or for flushing the well hole is prohibited.

D. It is unlawful to inject any pesticide or chemical into the discharge pipe of a well which is not equipped with an approved backflow protection device or methods as described in Section 14.08.280.

(Ord. G-5356 § 6, 1990: Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Cathodic protection wells shall be constructed and sealed in conformance with the cathodic well standards set forth in Bulletin 74-1, "Cathodic Protection Well Standards," including the latest revisions thereof, with the exception that the depth of the annular seal shall be as required in Section 14.08.240.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Hazardous material monitoring wells shall be constructed and sealed in conformance with the standards set forth in the county health department publication UT-50 or any successor publication.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

(Ord. No. G-8035, § 43, 4-20-10)

A. The area between the wall of the well bore and the well casing of the drilled hole (the annular space) shall be effectively sealed to protect it against contamination or pollution by entrance of surface and/or shallow, subsurface waters. The minimum depth of the upper annular seal shall be as specified in subsection (B) below.

B. The minimum depth of the upper annular seal shall be as follows:

1. Private domestic wells, fifty (50) feet;

2. Nonpublic domestic wells, fifty (50) feet;

3. Public domestic wells, fifty (50) feet;

4. Industrial wells, fifty (50) feet;

5. Observation and monitoring wells, twenty (20) feet;

6. Cathodic protection wells, fifty (50) feet;

7. Air conditioning wells, fifty (50) feet;

8. Agricultural wells, fifty (50) feet; and

9. State small water system wells, fifty (50) feet.

(Ord. G-6906 § 10, 2002; Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

The requirements for sealing a well shall be as specified in Part II, Chapter II, Section 9B of Bulletin 74-81.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

A. When any well is to be constructed or reconstructed in such a manner that it will penetrate two (2) or more water bearing strata, one (1) or more of which has been determined by the health officer to contain groundwater of a quality which will cause the degradation of groundwater in the other strata if the waters are allowed to intermingle, the undesirable stratum shall be sealed off to prevent the flow of the poor quality water through the annular space from degrading water in the strata containing water of an acceptable quality.

B. Whenever an aquifer containing poor quality water is required to be sealed off as provided in subsection (A) above, an annular seal shall be placed from no less than ten (10) feet below the base of the confining formation separating the aquifer containing poor quality water from the aquifers containing acceptable quality water to the ground surface. An electrical geophysical log of the well shall be run to assist in the placement of the annular seal, and a copy made available to the department. Drill cuttings shall be made available at the request of the health officer. The sealing material shall fill the annular space in the interval to be sealed, and the surrounding void spaces which might absorb the sealing material.

C. Gravel chute shall extend through the annular seal at least two (2) feet into the gravel pack.

D. Sealing materials shall consist of neat cement, cement grout or cement. In areas of subsidence or under special conditions, the use of other approved sealing materials may be allowed with prior approval of the health officer.

E. In areas where deep subsidence may occur (as, for example, portions of the San Joaquin Valley), provision shall be made for maintaining the integrity of the annular seal in the event of subsidence. Such preventive measures may include the installation of a "sleeve" or "slip joint" in the casing, which will allow vertical movement in the casing without its collapse.

(Ord. G-7417 § 9, 2006; Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Developing, redeveloping or conditioning of a well shall be done with care and by methods which will not cause damage to the well or cause adverse subsurface conditions that may destroy barriers to the vertical movement of water between aquifers. The following methods used in the developing, redeveloping or conditioning of a well when done with care are acceptable:

A. Overpumping;

B. Surging by use of a plunger;

C. Surging with compressed air;

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

E. Jetting with water;

F. Introduction of chemicals designed for this purpose;

G. Bailing;

H. A combination of the above.

The use of explosives for development shall be only by persons licensed for that purpose. Special care shall be exercised when such explosives are employed in development of a well which penetrates two (2) or more distinct aquifers separated by a natural barrier.

The use of any chemicals for the purpose of development of a well, or any other purpose(s), shall be included on the well drillers log or, if performed by other than the driller, on a separate report. Where chemicals or explosives have been used, the well shall be pumped to remove residue from such chemicals and/or explosives to restore the water quality of any affected aquifer to the water quality conditions which existed prior to the use of such chemicals and/or explosives.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Wells drilled for the purpose of producing water for any beneficial use shall be equipped with the following features, installed as outlined in Chapter II, Part II, Section 10 of Bulletin 74-81:

A. Disinfection access/sounding tube;

B. Screened air vent (optional for flowing artesian wells);

C. A backflow protection device or method approved by the department;

D. Unthreaded sample spigot.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Water flow meters, or any functional equivalent device or method of water measurement, as approved by the environmental health director, are required on all new private domestic, public domestic, industrial and agricultural wells, as well as on well reconstructions and well upgrades for private domestic, public domestic, industrial and agricultural wells.

(Ord. No. G-8726, § 3, 7-11-17)

It is the responsibility of the well contractor to construct the well in accordance with Article III of this chapter, except for surface construction features.

It is the responsibility of the owner of the well to supply all surface construction features (i.e., slab, watertight sanitary seal, backflow protection device, vent, water flow meter, sounding tube and sample tap) and all required water quality analyses.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989; Ord. No. G-8726, § 4, 7-11-17)

A. All wells hereafter constructed, deepened or reconstructed shall, prior to being placed into service, be provided with: A watertight reinforced monolithic concrete slab a minimum thickness of six (6) inches, set a minimum of four (4) inches above ground level at the well site, and extending horizontally at least three (3) feet from the edge of the well casing in all directions, and covering the unsealed portion of the well excavation, except that monitoring wells, as defined in Section 14.08.074, shall have a minimum concrete slab two (2) foot by two (2) foot with a minimum thickness of six (6) inches. The concrete slab shall be constructed so as to adequately drain water away from the well casing. Where deviation from this pattern of construction would serve a practical purpose without lessening well protection, the health officer may approve such deviation. All wells shall be provided with a sanitary seal so as to prevent surface water from entering the well. Each slab (or well) shall be identified by the name of the owner on the well permit, or APN number, or other approved method.

B. In those cases where it is not possible to meet the horizontal setback distances from pollution sources described in Section 14.08.190, an alternative means of protection for the well may be to increase the depth of the upper annular seal. Where horizontal setback distances cannot be met or adverse or special hazards exist (such as perched water), the depth of the upper annular seal shall be increased as required by the health officer.

C. In hardrock formations, the minimum depth of seal shall be twenty (20) feet or one (1) foot into hardrock if encountered first. Sampled hardrock cuttings shall be collected and held at the site for inspection of the health officer.

D. Annular seals of one hundred (100) feet or less in dry formations may be poured. All other seals shall be posi-tively placed from the bottom upward using a pump or by air pressure.

E. All seals shall set forty-eight (48) hours after placement if an accelerator is not used. A twenty-four (24) hour set time may be allowed if the sealing material contains an accelerator.

F. During the pumping of sealing material for the annular seal, all standing water must be allowed to drain off and not incorporate into the annular seal nor into the slab.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Every new, deepened, repaired or reconstructed individual domestic or community water supply well, after completion of construction, deepening, repair or reconstruction, and before being placed in service, shall be disinfected by a method approved by the health officer to produce water meeting bacteriological standards as set forth in applicable state laws and regulations.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

The gravel used in gravel-packed wells, and lubricant mud, shall meet the sanitary requirements of Bulletin 74-81, Part II, Section 11.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

A. Water from all wells which provide water for any beneficial use shall be tested radiologically, bacteriologically and chemically as determined by the health officer by a state certified laboratory. The results of all such laboratory water testing shall be submitted to the health officer within ninety (90) days of pump installation.

B. Water from all wells that will be used in food processing or domestic water systems shall comply with the domestic water quality standards contained in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Domestic Water Quality Monitoring Regulations, Sections 64401 et seq., or the latest revision thereof, or adequate treatment facilities to remove the constituent(s) that is in noncompliance shall be installed.

C. Water from reconstructed wells shall be tested bacteriologically and meet the same standard as new wells. When deemed necessary by the health officer, they shall meet the same chemical standards as new wells.

D. Chemical, radiological and bacteriological tests shall be the responsibility of the owner and if not completed within ninety (90) days may be performed by the health officer and related costs shall be the responsibility of the owner.

(Ord. G-7417 §§ 11, 12, 2006; Ord. G-6906 §§ 12—14, 2002; Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

No water from a new or reconstructed domestic well shall be used for domestic purposes until the well is given final approval by the health officer.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

Before any nondomestic well can be converted to domestic use, it must first have department inspection and be brought into compliance with this chapter.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

All abandoned wells shall be destroyed in such a way that they will not produce water or act as a channel for the interchange of water, or will present a hazard to the safety and well-being of people or animals. Destruction of a well shall consist of the complete filling of the well in accordance with the procedures prescribed in Section 23 of Chapter II of the California State Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 74-81. Provided, however, at a minimum the top fifty (50) feet shall be sealed with concrete or other approved sealing material. Well destruction permits for wells located in areas which would require a deep annular seal for drilling new wells per Section 14.08.260 of this chapter shall require filling the well with an approved sealing material from ten (10) feet below the base of the confining formation which separates the aquifer containing poor quality water from the aquifers containing acceptable quality water, to the ground surface. All abandoned wells shall be destroyed within ninety (90) days of abandonment. Applications for well destruction permits shall be submitted in accordance with Section 14.08.170. A copy of well destruction permit applications for the San Joaquin Valley area of the county shall be submitted to the Kern County Water Agency and the water district having jurisdiction over the land in which the well is located.

(Ord. G-7417 § 14, 2006: Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

A. Any newly constructed well that has not been completed and given final approval of water quality and surface construction features within ninety (90) days of the cessation of drilling shall be declared out of service or properly destroyed. Any existing well that has not been used for a period of one (1) year shall be properly destroyed unless the owner has filed a "Notice of Intent" with the health officer declaring the well out of service, and declaring his intention to use the well again. As evidence of his intentions for future use, the owner shall properly maintain the well in such a way that:

1. The well has no defects which will impair quality of water in the well or in the water-bearing formations penetrated;

2. If the pump has been removed, the well shall be covered with a watertight seal to prevent injury to persons and the entrance of undesirable water, rodents or foreign matter;

3. The well is marked so that it can be clearly seen;

4. The area surrounding the well is kept clear of brush or debris;

5. Redeclaration of intent shall be made triennially to the health officer.

B. Additional evidence may be required by the health officer to demonstrate that the well is usable when placed out of service.

(Ord. G-7417 § 15, 2006: Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)

The health officer may grant an administrative variance to the provisions of this chapter where a determination has been made upon the basis of evidence submitted by the owner or his representative demonstrating that a modification of the well standards as provided herein will not endanger the health or safety of the consumer of the water, or the public generally, or contribute to groundwater degradation, and strict compliance would be unreasonable in view of all the circumstances.

(Ord. G-5006 § 2 (part), 1989)