Los Angeles County Municipal Code Part 2 Water and Water Wells

Every person supplying water for domestic or human consumption shall supply the water free from contamination or pollution so as to comply with the bacteriological drinking water standards as set forth in the United States Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 507, 1959.)

It is unlawful for any person to supply water from a newly constructed water system, or from a newly constructed portion of a water system, without valid permits as may be required by the director therefor, or until such construction complies with all of the provisions of this Division 1.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 508, 1959.)

A.

No person shall drill, dig, bore, deepen or excavate any well, or destroy an existing well, without first making application and securing a well construction permit from the director.

B.

No person shall convert any industrial, oil or irrigation well for use as a domestic water well, without first making application and securing a well construction permit from the director.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 7, 2005; Ord. 11992 § 2, 1979; Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 523, 1959.)

No person shall perform a well yield test for the purpose of establishing water availability for residential and commercial development without first making application and securing a well yield test permit from the director.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 8, 2005.)

A.

Applications for a well construction permit, as described in Section 11.38.150, shall be made on forms provided for that purpose by the director. All applicable fees, as provided for in Chapter 8.04 of Title 8, shall be paid at the time of application.

B.

The application shall include the name and address of the well owner and the well driller, the location of the proposed or existing well, a workplan that details the type of casing, the manner of sealing the casing, the method of destruction, where applicable and any other data required by the director.

C.

Upon receipt of an application, the director shall make an investigation. If the applicant has complied with all applicable laws and regulations, and the drilling, digging, boring, excavating, converting, destruction or design of the well will not create a condition which, in the opinion of the director, can pollute or contaminate the underground water or the water produced by the well, the director shall approve the workplan. A workplan approval remains valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.

D.

The well driller shall provide notification to the director at least two business days prior to the placement of the sanitary seal.

E.

Upon witnessing the placement of the annular seal for a new well or the final decommissioning seal, and all other requirements being met, the director shall approve the final inspection.

F.

When the director has received a copy of the well completion report, as defined in Section 13751 of the California Water Code, the director shall issue a well construction permit.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 9, 2005; Ord. 11992 § 4, 1979; Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 9375 § 2 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 523.2, 1959.)

A.

Applications for well yield testing permit as described in 11.38.155 shall be made on forms provided for that purpose by the director. All applicable fees, as provided for in Chapter 8.04 of Title 8 shall be paid at the time of application.

B.

The application shall include the name and address of the well owner and the well driller, and the name of the well yield tester, the location of the proposed or existing well, the type of casing, the manner of sealing the casing, and any other data required by the director.

C.

When the well yield test has been completed to the satisfaction of the director and documentation of laboratory analysis showing that the water quality meets the primary bacteriological and chemical requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Standards, is provided to the department, a water availability approval shall be issued by the director for the purpose of obtaining a building permit. Well yield test results are valid for three (3) years from the date of approval.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 10, 2005.)

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 director of public health and with all ordinances and laws of the county of Los Angeles and of the state of California, 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 director of public health may suspend or revoke the permit by mailing or personally serving written notice of suspension or revocation upon the applicant.

(Ord. 2006-0040 § 103, 2006; Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 9375 § 2 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 523.3, 1959.)

Any person whose application for a permit has been denied, or whose permit has been suspended or revoked, may petition the director for a hearing. Such 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 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 business days prior to such 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 director will give the applicant and other interested persons an adequate opportunity to present any relevant facts. The director may place any person involved in the matter, including the applicant, under oath. The director may, when he deems it necessary, continue any hearing by setting a new time and place and by giving notice to the applicant of such action. At the close of the hearing, or at any time within 10 days thereafter, the director will order such disposition of the application or permit as he has determined to be proper, and will make such disposition known to the applicant.

(Ord. 10075 § 2 (part), 1970; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 523.4, 1959.)

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, or at such location whereby such water may become contaminated or polluted when the well is properly constructed and maintained.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 516, 1959.)

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 director.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 518, 1959.)

A.

It is unlawful for a person to drill, dig, excavate or bore a water well within 100 feet of a seepage pit or cesspool, within 50 feet 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 director.

B.

Where perforations or screens are located at or over 100 feet below the ground surface and where sealed and maintained in accordance with Section 11.38.290 of this chapter, or in such other circumstances as he determines lesser distances will not subject the water to contamination or pollution, the director may authorize lesser distances than those specified in this section.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 517, 1959.)

A.

All water wells used to supply domestic water shall conform to the requirements of a new water well, except the director 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.

B.

Existing wells shall meet requirements for new wells regarding protection from flooding or contamination, or such protection which the director determines to be equivalent.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 525, 1959.)

A.

All water wells drilled, dug, or bored after August 11, 1967, 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 18 inches 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, watertight 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 easing and the drill hole shall be sealed as required by Section 11.38.280 of this chapter. 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.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 520, 1959.)

All electrode wells constructed after October 2, 1970, shall be constructed to the satisfaction of the director in such a manner as to exclude contamination or pollution of any usable underground water.

(Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 520.1, 1959.)

All water wells drilled, dug, excavated, or bored after August 11, 1967, shall be provided with:

A.

A watertight, reinforced-concrete slab of a minimum thickness of six inches shall extend horizontally at least three feet 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 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 director.

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 above the finished grade at the well site and at least four inches above the slab surrounding such well.

C.

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

D.

Exemptions. Means or methods other than those specified in subsections B or C of this section may be used to provide the required protection when the director 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 director determines will effectively prevent contamination or pollution from entering the well or the aquifer.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 521, 1959.)

Any well intended to be shared with one to three residences other than the primary residence, shall demonstrate a safety factor in well capacity to the satisfaction of the director.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 11, 2005.)

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 50 parts per million available chlorine, which shall remain in the well for a period of at least 24 hours, or by an equivalent method of disinfection satisfactory to the director, and such procedure shall be repeated, as necessary, to produce water meeting bacteriological standards as set forth in State Drinking Water Standards. No well water from a new or reconstructed well shall be used for domestic purposes until the water meets such bacteriological and chemical requirements.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 13, 2005; Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 8588 § 2 (part), 1964; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 525.1, 1959.)

Well yield testing to determine an adequate and sustainable source of water shall be performed by a California Registered Geologist, or a California Registered Engineer or class A General Engineering Contractor, or C-57, or C-61 (D-21) license issued by the State of California.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 14, 2005.)

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.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 513, 1959.)

No person shall pour the sanitary seal of the annular space between the casing and the borehole wall unless the director is present to witness the placement of sealing material.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 15, 2005.)

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 director, such exception constitutes a threat to the quality of an aquifer.

(Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 519, 1959.)

The annular seal of all new or reconstructed wells shall extend a minimum of 50 feet below grade, or a greater amount, if in the judgment of the director, such additional depth is necessary to prevent ground water contamination.

(Ord. 2005-0053 § 16, 2005.)

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 above the finish 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.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 522, 1959.)

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

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 526, 1959.)

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

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 515, 1959.)

All water wells, unless made to comply with Sections 11.38.280 and 11.38.290 of this chapter, shall be destroyed to the satisfaction of the director by filling with cement grout, puddled clay or similar impervious material as approved by the director, to thoroughly seal the well, including all voids, annular spaces, gravel envelopes, or other spaces, as necessary to protect the aquifer.

(Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 524, 1959.)

All electrode wells, unless in compliance with Section 11.38.240 of this chapter, shall be destroyed to the satisfaction of the director, in such a manner as to exclude contamination or pollution of any usable underground water.

(Ord. 10075 § 2 (part), 1970; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 524.1, 1959.)

No person shall install or allow to exist any inlet discharging water from a public water supply to be used for domestic or human consumption or industrial purposes in or into any tank, cistern, reservoir or receptacle for storage or use of water on the consumer's premises unless such inlet discharges such water at a height at least double the diameter of the inlet pipe above the maximum possible high-water level of such tank, cistern, reservoir or other receptacle for the storage or use of water, or unless such inlet is equipped with an approved backflow preventer. A backflow preventer is a device or means to prevent backflow into the potable water system.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 512, 1959.)

Every new water main and every repaired section of an existing water main must be cleared of coliform bacteria by the proper application of chlorine in sufficient quantities to give a minimum of 50 parts per million of available chlorine. The new or repaired pipe shall be thoroughly flushed before and after chlorination. If the first application of chlorine is not sufficient, the procedure shall be repeated until the water will meet the standards set forth in the United States Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards. Means or methods providing equivalent treatment may be used if approved by the director.

(Ord. 10075 § 1 (part), 1970; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 509, 1959.)

A.

Durable protection and substantial covers shall be provided and maintained for each reservoir, tank, cistern, standpipe or other structure used for distribution or storage of domestic water. Covers shall be watertight, and shall be constructed so as to provide drainage away from the structure. All openings for ventilation shall be screened with corrosion-resistant screen not coarser than one-fourth-inch mesh to exclude rodents and birds, or with 16-mesh screen when such screen is necessary to control mosquito or insect breeding in such reservoir. All manholes shall be constructed with curbs raised above the surrounding surface, and installed in a manner to prevent roof or surface drainage from entering the structure. When it is determined by the director that it is impractical, due to size, shape or other unusual conditions, to provide and maintain a cover as provided for in this section, adequate treatment and protection of the water shall be provided as required and approved by the director.

B.

Any reservoir, standpipe, cistern, forebay, tank, weir box, receptacle, or any other form of installation used for the production, distribution or storage of any domestic water supply or water used for human consumption, shall be securely protected against pollution or contamination.

(Ord. 9375 § 1 (part), 1967; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 514, 1959.)

It is unlawful for any person to have, keep, maintain, install or allow the existence of a cross-connection.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 527, 1959.)

Any device, fixture or equipment installed for the purpose of eliminating a cross-connection shall be of a type in compliance with and installed in accordance with the Building Code. (See Title 26 of the Los Angeles County Code.)

(Ord. 8588 § 1 (part), 1964; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 528, 1959.)

All domestic water supply systems shall be constructed and maintained free from sanitary defects and health hazards.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 505, 1959.)

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

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 506, 1959.)

No person shall advertise, sell or offer for use or sale any water-treating chemical or substance, water-using or water- operated equipment, mechanism or contrivance, which may cause contamination or pollution of the domestic water supply. Such devices may be permitted when equipped with backflow protection devices meeting the requirements of the Building Code.

(Ord. 8588 § 2 (part), 1964; Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 528.1, 1959.)

Upon notice by the director to the owner or operator of a water supply system, such owner or operator shall thoroughly cleanse and chlorinate any reservoir, tank, well, spring or pipe used in the production, distribution or storage of any domestic water or water used for human consumption, as directed by the director, to insure the safety of the water. When chemical disinfection is employed, the dosage or rates of application shall at all times be sufficient to provide adequately disinfected water at all points of the distribution system. The director may order continuous automatic disinfection for any water supply when, in his opinion, such treatment is necessary for the protection of the public health.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 510, 1959.)

All suppliers of domestic water, when required by the director to use continuous chlorination, shall add chlorine in sufficient quantity to insure the bacteriological safety of the water at all points in the distribution system. A free-chlorine residual shall be maintained at all times at sampling points approved by the director. Routine chlorine residual tests shall be made daily, and permanent records kept of such tests. Copies of the records shall be furnished the director upon request.

(Ord. 7583 Part 3 Ch. 5 § 511, 1959.)