Long Beach Municipal Code Ch. 15.32 Water and Electrode Wells

It is declared that it is the purpose of this Chapter to provide for the construction, repair and reconstruction of wells to the end that the groundwater of the City will not be impaired in quality and that water obtained, if any, from such wells will be suitable for the purpose for which used and will not jeopardize the health, safety, or welfare of the people of the City, and for the destruction of abandoned wells or wells found to be public nuisances to the end that such wells will not impair the quality of groundwater or otherwise jeopardize the health, safety or welfare of the people of the City.

(Prior code § 5710)

As used in this Chapter, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates, the words and phrases used in this Chapter are defined as follows:

A. "Abandoned water well" is a nonoperating well which is not maintained in conformity with Section 15.32.090.

B. "Electrode well" means any artificial excavation in excess of fifty feet (50') deep constructed by any method for the purpose of installing electrodes or electrical conductors including, but not limited to, cathodic protection wells and grounding rod wells.

C. "Nonactive water well" is one which is not in active use but which is maintained in conformance with the provisions of Section 15.32.090.

D. "Nonconforming electrode well" is one which, at the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter, has not been constructed in conformance with Section 15.32.110 or is not maintained in conformance with Section 15.32.090.

E. "Water well" means any drilled, excavated, jetted, or otherwise constructed excavation which is used or intended to be used to extract water from or inject water into the underground for any purpose, or to observe or test underground waters. This definition shall not include: (A) saltwater wells, (B) wells under the jurisdiction of the State Division of Oil and Gas, except those wells converted to use as water wells, or (C) wells used for the purpose of: (1) dewatering excavation during construction, or (2) stabilizing hillsides or earth embankments.

(Prior code § 5710.1)

When it is determined by the Health Officer that a sanitary defect or a health hazard exists, the Health Officer may order whatever steps he deems necessary to insure the safety of the water supply for the protection of the public health.

(Prior code § 5710.2)

All domestic water wells and springs shall be sealed with concrete or other impervious material so as to protect against surface or subsurface contamination or pollution.

(Prior code § 5710.3)

Any person who has drilled, dug, excavated, or bored a water well shall, within thirty (30) days after completion of the drilling, digging, excavating, or boring of water well, furnish the Health Officer with a complete log of the water well. This log shall include type of casting, depth of the well, number and location of perforations in the casing and any other data required by the Health Officer. A copy of the log providing such information submitted to State agencies shall satisfy this requirement.

(Prior code § 5710.4)

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

(Prior code § 5710.5)

It is unlawful for a person to drill, dig, excavate or bore a water well within one hundred feet (100') of a seepage pit or cesspool, within fifty feet (50') of a sewage disposal field, a private or public sewer, privy, or place where animals or fowl are kept. Where special hazards are involved, the distance required may be increased or special construction required as may be directed by the Health Officer. Where perforations or screens are located at or over one hundred feet (100') below the ground surface and where sealed and maintained in accordance with Section 15.32.090 or in such other circumstances as he determines lesser distances will not subject the water to contamination or pollution, the Health Officer may authorize lesser distances than those specified in this Section. It is also unlawful for any person to locate or maintain any seepage pit or cesspool within one hundred feet (100'), any sewage disposal field, a private or public sewer, privy, or place where animals or fowl are kept within fifty feet (50'), of any water well.

(Prior code § 5710.6)

It is unlawful for a person to drill, dig, excavate or bore a water well in any location which is subject to flooding or inundation, unless it is protected from flooding or inundation and the location and method of protection approved by the Health Officer.

(Prior code § 5710.7)

All water wells and electrode wells shall be kept sealed and maintained in a manner that will prevent the entrance of pump leakage, surface drainage, or any other contamination or pollution into the well or the aquifer, except that nonconforming electrode wells need not comply with this Section until such time as the electrode is expended, or the well is reconstructed, or the well is no longer being used for its intended purpose, unless, in the judgment of the Health Officer, such exception constitutes a threat to the quality of an aquifer.

(Prior code § 5710.8)

A. All water wells hereafter drilled, dug, or bored, shall have a durable, watertight casing which shall extend to a depth that will exclude contamination or pollution by surface drainage and undesirable groundwater and extend at least eighteen inches (18") above the surrounding natural ground level at the well site after drilling and until the pump is permanently mounted.

B. All gravel-packed wells shall have an outside water-tight casing meeting the requirements of Subsection A of this Section. The top of the space between the outer and inner casings shall be closed or sealed to exclude surface drainage. The space between the outer casing and the drill hole shall be sealed as required by Section 15.32.040. When an additional pipe is provided for a gravel chute, the top thereof shall extend above the floor or ground level and be fitted with a tight cap or lid unless in a locked room or an enclosure which is locked, bolted or screwed on tightly.

(Prior code § 5710.9)

All electrode wells hereafter constructed shall be constructed to the satisfaction of the Health Officer in such a manner as to exclude contamination or pollution of any usable underground water.

(Prior code § 5710.10)

All water wells hereafter drilled, dug, excavated, or bored, shall be provided with:

A. A watertight reinforced concrete slab of a minimum thickness of six inches (6") which shall extend horizontally at least three feet (3') from the well casing in all directions. The concrete slab shall adequately slope so as to drain water away from the well casing. The top surface of the slab at its outer edge shall be at least four inches (4") above the surrounding ground level. This slab need not be provided, or the size and method of construction thereof may be modified, when the protection intended by this requirement or the exception of Subsection D of this Section is provided by an alternate method approved by the Health Officer.

B. For pumps or pump motors installed above the well casing, the pump or motor shall be mounted on a concrete pedestal constructed around the well casing and sealed thereto, the top of which is at least eight inches (8") above the finished grade at the well site and at least four inches (4") above the slab surrounding such well.

C. The pedestal, slab (and curtain wall, if required to protect an existing well) shall be poured monolithically or otherwise constructed as approved by the Health Officer to effectively prevent leakage between the pedestal and the slab.

D. Exceptions: Means or methods other than those specified in Subsections B and C of this Section may be used to provide the required protection when the Health Officer determines such alternates are necessary and that they provide equivalent protection. A submersible type pump may be installed with subsurface discharge and access when all subsurface entrances to the well or casing, other than into the aquifer, are effectively sealed, the enclosure is designed and constructed to exclude surface water or drainage, the area around the casing is provided with effective drainage and other protective features are provided which the Health Officer determines will effectively prevent contamination or pollution from entering the well or the aquifer.

(Prior code § 5710.11)

All domestic water wells shall be provided with a pipe or other effective means through which chlorine or other disinfecting agents may be introduced directly into the well. The pipe, if provided, shall be extended to a height equal to the pump pedestal or at least eight inches (8") above the finished grade, shall be kept sealed and shall be provided with a threaded or equivalently secure cap. Equivalent protection for excluding contamination from the well shall be provided for subsurface pump discharge installations. If an air relief vent is used, it shall terminate downward and be screened and protected against the possibility of contaminating material entering the vent.

(Prior code § 5710.12)

No person shall drill, dig, bore, deepen or excavate any well, or destroy an existing well, without first making application and securing a permit from the Health Officer. The application shall be made on a form prepared by the Health Officer, which shall include the location of the proposed or existing well, the type of casing, the manner of sealing and any other data required by the Health Officer.

(Prior code § 5710.13)

Any person intending to convert any industrial, oil or irrigation well for use as a domestic water well shall first apply and secure a permit from the Health Officer.

(Prior code § 5710.14)

Upon receipt of an application the Health Officer shall make an investigation. If the applicant has complied with all applicable laws and regulations and the proposed well location will comply with this Chapter, and the drilling, digging, boring, deepening, excavating, converting, destruction or design of the well will not create a condition which in the opinion of the Health Officer can pollute or contaminate the underground water or the water produced by the well, the Health Officer shall issue the permit.

(Prior code § 5710.15)

A permit shall be valid only for the location described on the permit. Construction, reconstruction or destruction of a well shall be carried out in compliance with all applicable regulations and requirements of the Health Officer and with all ordinances and laws of the County and of the State and shall comply with the terms and conditions specified in the permit. If any of such conditions, regulations, ordinances or laws are not complied with, the Health Officer may suspend or revoke the permit by mailing or personally serving written notice of suspension or revocation upon the applicant.

(Prior code § 5710.16)

Any person whose application for a permit has been denied, or whose permit has been suspended or revoked, may petition the Health Officer for a hearing. The petition shall be in writing, signed by the applicant, and shall set forth in detail the facts and reasons upon which his petition is based. The time limit within which the petition must be filed is twenty (20) business days following the date on which the notice of denial, suspension or revocation was mailed to the applicant. Notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be given to the applicant not less than five (5) business days prior to the hearing, either by registered mail or in the manner required for the service of summons in civil actions. At the time and place set for the hearing, the Health Officer will give the applicant and other interested persons an adequate opportunity to present any relevant facts. The Health Officer may place any person involved in the matter, including the applicant, under oath. The Health Officer may, when he deems it necessary, continue any hearing by setting a new time and place and by giving notice to the applicant of the action. At the close of the hearing, or at any time within ten (10) days thereafter, the Health Officer will order such disposition or the application or permit as he has determined to be proper and will make the disposition known to the applicant.

(Prior code § 5710.17.

All water wells, unless made to comply with Sections 15.32.040 and 15.32.090, shall be destroyed to the satisfaction of the Health Officer by filling with cement grout, puddled clay or similar impervious material, as approved by the Health Officer, to thoroughly seal the well, including all voids, annular spaces, gravel envelopes or other spaces, as necessary to protect the aquifer.

(Prior code § 5710.18)

All electrode wells, unless in compliance with Section 15.32.090, shall be destroyed to the satisfaction of the Health Officer in such a manner as to exclude contamination or pollution of any usable underground water.

(Prior code § 5710.19)

All water wells used to supply domestic water shall conform to the requirements of a new water well, except the Health Officer may accept substitute methods when he finds it is impractical to fully meet such requirements and if he determines the substitute methods satisfactorily accomplish the intended purpose. Existing wells shall meet requirements for new wells regarding protection from flooding or contamination or such protection which the Health Officer determines to be equivalent.

(Prior code § 5710.20)

Every new, repaired or reconstructed domestic water well, after completion of construction, repair or reconstruction, and before being placed in service, shall be thoroughly cleaned of all foreign substances. The well, including the gravel used in gravel packed wells, the pump and all portions of equipment coming in contact with well water shall be disinfected with a solution containing at least fifty (50) parts per million available chlorine, which shall remain in the well for a period of at least twenty-four (24) hours, or by an equivalent method of disinfection satisfactory to the Health Officer, and such procedure shall be repeated, as necessary, to produce water meeting bacteriological standards as set forth in the U.S. Public Health Service drinking water standards. No well water from a new or reconstructed well shall be used for domestic purposes until the water meets such bacteriological requirements.

(Prior code § 5710.21)

All pump discharge lines shall leave the well at a higher elevation than the top of the casing.

(Prior code § 5710.22)

The Health Officer shall prescribe rules, regulations and requirements not in conflict with the general law, as prescribed in the City Charter, for implementation and enforcement of this Chapter.

(Prior code § 5710.23)