Lincoln Municipal Code Art. VII Wells

No person shall drill for water without first obtaining a permit from the director and from the county health officer. The director may deny the issuance of a permit if, in his opinion, the premises where the well is to be located can be served by the city water system. If a permit for a potable drinking water well is issued, it shall be conditioned upon connection to the city water system and discontinuance of the use of such will be conditioned upon notice from the director that the premises may be served by the city water system. The health officer may deny the issuance of a permit if, in his opinion, the proposed well will contaminate existing water sources or be a health menace to the community. The applicant for the permit may appeal to the city council from the decision of the health officer or the director by filing a notice of appeal, in writing, with the city clerk within 15 days of the date of the decision, and the city clerk shall place the appeal on the agenda for the next regular meeting of the city council.

(Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018; Ord. No. 888B, § 2, 11-12-2013)

Wells shall be constructed, reconstructed or destroyed by persons licensed in accordance with the provisions of the Contractor's License Law (Chapter 9, Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code), unless such persons are exempted from licensing by that Act.

(Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018; Ord. No. 888B, § 2, 11-12-2013)

Inspections may be made by the county health officer or the department of public services during the process of well construction. A final inspection shall be made when the well construction is completed.

(Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018; Ord. No. 888B, § 2, 11-12-2013)

In cases where the area adjacent to the well is susceptible to contamination, the well shall be properly protected. Drainage shall be away from the well. No well shall be located any closer than the distances specified in the permit. All surface water shall be properly diverted away from a well site during construction or repairs. Disposal of this water shall be made in such a manner so as not to flood adjacent property or constitute a public nuisance. No waste discharge from well-drilling operations shall be allowed to enter a sanitary sewer.

(Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018; Ord. No. 888B, § 2, 11-12-2013)

(a) 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 of such wells. Wells must be abandoned according to health department rules and regulations.

(b) Abandoned wells or test holes shall be filled with selected material to protect the water-bearing formation against possible contamination or pollution and to eliminate a potential hazard to public health and safety.

(Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018; Ord. No. 888B, § 2, 11-12-2013)

Except as otherwise authorized by the city council, connection to the city water system is required for all drinking water. Potable water wells are prohibited within the city unless owned and operated by the city and incorporated as part of the city's water system, or unless otherwise authorized by the city council.

(Ord. No. 901B, § 2, 6-23-2015; Ord. No. 974B, § 2(Exh. 1), 8-28-2018)