Tehama Municipal Code Ch. 9.18 Wastewater Injection Wells

The ordinance codified in this chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Wastewater Injection Well Ordinance."

(Ord. 1408 § 3, 1988)

The intent of this chapter is to provide standards for operation of currently operating wastewater injection wells, and a procedure to obtain a permit for the continued operation of such injection wells.

(Ord. 1408 § 4, 1988)

The county board of supervisors finds as follows:

A. Permitting wastewater injection wells without a use permit and adequate conditions is in conflict with the intent of the current zoning scheme, and would be detrimental to the public safety, health and welfare.

B. This chapter is necessary because there is a current and immediate threat to the public safety, health and welfare of the county, and that the continued operation of injection wells without adequate standards would result in a threat to public health, safety and welfare.

(Ord. 1408 § 5, 1988)

No new wastewater injection wells may commence operation after the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter without first securing a use permit as provided for under Chapter 17.70 of the Tehama County Code.

(Ord. 1408 § 6(part), 1988)

The operator of an injection well shall apply for a permit to operate from the Division of Environmental Health prior to commencing operations of a new injection well, or continuing operations of a preexisting injection well after August 1, 1988, by submitting an application including all information required by the health officer.

(Ord. 1408 § 6(part), 1988)

The fees required for a permit to operate shall be set forth by the board of supervisors by resolution to cover the costs of the activities required by this chapter.

(Ord. 1408 § 6(part), 1988)

Persons operating wastewater injection wells on May 31, 1988, the adoption date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, not authorized by a use permit, may nevertheless continue to operate under the following conditions:

A. The operators must file an application for and actively pursue obtaining a use permit under Sections 9.18.040 through 9.18.042 of this chapter.

B. Hauling of wastewater shall be conducted only during daylight hours. Injection of wastewater may occur twenty four hours per day.

C. Operators shall notify the county planning department of the name and address of the person or company that will be hauling or trucking the wastewater. No other haulers may be used.

D. The county may retain, for up to two days per week, a consulting hydrologist, whose responsibilities will include conducting all necessary tests, providing technical assistance to the county, and gathering additional data relating to the operator's injection well.

1. All site work performed shall be conducted within one thousand feet of the disposal well. Technical assistance shall be provided only on issues directly related to the operator's injection facility.

2. A copy of any reports or other written documents prepared by the consulting hydrologist shall be provided to the operator. Costs and expenses of the consulting hydrologist shall be paid by the operator upon receipt of biweekly invoices for services performed.

E. Once the operator has established a constant flow rate at the disposal well, injectivity tests and spinner surveys will be conducted at the operator's expense, and will be witnessed by the county sanitarian and/or the county's consulting hydrologist.

F. The county sanitarian or his designated representative may extract water samples for testing from the operator's storage tanks or lines upstream of the injection pump(s) at the county's sole discretion and option.

G. The operator shall provide the county planning department with a copy of the California Division of Oil and Gas permit which authorized the salt water injections.

H. All operations authorized under this chapter shall terminate immediately if the application for the use permit is denied by the planning commission and all administrative appeals exhausted.

(Ord. 1408 § 7, 1988)