Tehama Municipal Code Art. III Construction, Standards, Testing and Inspection

No person shall undertake to dig, bore, or drill a water well, monitoring well, or cathodic protection well, or to deepen or reperforate any water well, or monitoring well or cathodic protection well, unless the person responsible for that construction or alteration possesses a C-57 water well contractor's license.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

The responsible registered professional required by state laws, regulations or local ordinances shall supervise the construction of all monitoring well(s) for environmental assessments and site mitigation and shall be responsible for adherence to all state laws, regulations and local ordinances.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

Standards for the construction, repair, reconstruction, deepening, abandonment and destruction of wells in the unincorporated area of Tehama County shall be as specified in Sections 9.42.315 through 9.42.430 of this chapter.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

Except as prescribed in Sections 9.42.325 and 9.42.330, these standards shall apply to all types of wells described in Section 9.42.120. Before a change in use of a well, compliance shall be made with requirements for the new use as specified in this chapter. Where it is anticipated that a well will be converted to another use, the enforcing agency may require the installation of a seal to the depth specified for community water supply wells.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

If the enforcing agency finds that compliance with any of the requirements prescribed in this chapter is impractical for a particular location because of unusual conditions or if compliance would result in construction of an unsatisfactory well, the enforcing agency may waive compliance and prescribe alternative requirements which are equal to these standards in terms of protection obtained.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

The standards prescribed in Sections 9.42.335 through 9.42.388 do not apply to exploration and test holes. However, the provisions of Section 9.42.395, reports, and Article 4, well destruction, do apply to these holes. Springs are excluded from these standards.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. In locations where existing geologic or groundwater conditions require standards more restrictive than those described in this article, such special additional standards may be prescribed by the enforcing agency.

B. Special standards are necessary for the construction of recharge or injection wells, horizontal wells, and other unusual types of wells. Design of these wells is subject to the approval of the enforcing agency.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Except as provided in subdivision (b), no permit shall be issued for any individual well with a casing diameter of eight inches or less unless all of the following conditions are met:

1. The property owner submits a statement to the director of environmental health, under penalty of perjury, identifying the use(s) to which any groundwater extracted from the well will be put, provided such use(s) do not violate any provision of federal or state law or the Tehama County Code.

2. (i)

The applicant submits financial assurances, in the form of a cash deposit or other method acceptable to the director of environmental health, in the amount of three hundred dollars guaranteeing compliance with all applicable provisions of federal and state law and the Tehama County Code.

(ii) Such financial assurances shall be maintained in full force and effect until the well is idled in accordance with Section 9.42.399, or until issuance of a final certificate of occupancy establishing a permitted use on the parcel under subdivision (C)(1) or (C)(2) of this section, whichever occurs first. Upon satisfaction of the foregoing conditions, the financial security shall be released to the current record owner of the property.

(iii) Such financial assurances shall be forfeited upon a final administrative determination under Chapter 9.06 or Chapter 10.16 of a public nuisance or other violation of the Tehama County Code occurring upon the premises. The proceeds from such forfeited financial assurances may be used defray any abatement costs, administrative costs, or administrative penalties assessed by the county relating to such public nuisance or other violation of the Tehama County Code.

3. In the event of a final administrative determination under Chapter 9.06 or Chapter 10.16 of a public nuisance or other violation of the Tehama County Code occurring upon the premises, the director of environmental health may order that the well permitted hereunder be idled in accordance with Section 9.42.299 and not reactivated, unless a permitted use has been established on the parcel under subdivision (C)(1) or (C)(2) of this section.

B. The following individual wells are exempt from the requirements of subdivision (a):

1. A well permit may be issued if the parcel upon which the well is located contains a permitted use which will be supplied by the well.

2. A well permit may be issued for an individual well that will supply a structure or manufactured home for which a building permit has been obtained, and not expired, if that structure when completed and actually used will constitute a permitted use under this section.

3. A well permit may be issued for an individual well that will supply an off-parcel use for which a permit has been issued in accordance with Chapter 9.40 of this Code.

C. For purposes of this section and Section 9.42.399, "permitted use" shall mean only the following, as determined by the director of planning in accordance with Title 17 of this Code:

1. In the case of property located within the R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, RE, AG-1, AG-2, AG-3, and AG-4 zoning districts, actual residential use of the premises that is conducted in a residential structure or manufactured home on a permitted foundation system for which a final certificate of occupancy has been issued in accordance with Title 15 of the Tehama County Code.

2. In the case of property located within the C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1, M-2, GR, PD, PA, and AV zoning districts, actual use of the premises for a purpose permitted within that zoning district and otherwise in compliance with the Tehama County Code that is conducted in a structure or manufactured home on a permitted foundation system for which a final certificate of occupancy authorizing such use has been issued in accordance with Title 15 of the Tehama County Code.

3. In AG-1, AG-2, AG-3, AG-4, NR, GR, and PF zoning districts, an active commercial agricultural use that is permitted within that zoning district and otherwise in compliance with the Tehama County Code.

(Ord. No. 2006, § 4,6-9-2015; Ord. No. 2037, §§ 1, 2, 3-28-2017)

A. All wells except monitoring wells for environmental assessments, shall be located within a five-foot radius of the location permitted by the well permit. If minor deviations from the approved plans and specifications arise from prior unknown site conditions, a written plot plan shall be submitted to the department of environmental health and new written approval shall be required prior to construction. The well location determinations shall include but are not limited to the following:

1. Sewer, watertight septic tank or privy pit, fifty feet;

2. Subsurface sewage leaching field, one hundred feet;

3. Cesspool or seepage pit, one hundred fifty feet;

4. Animal or fowl enclosures, lot barnyard and stable area, one hundred feet.

B. Where, in the opinion of the enforcing agency adverse conditions exist, the distances set forth in subsection (A) of this section shall be increased or special means of protection, particularly in the construction of the well, shall be provided.

C. If possible, the well shall be located up the groundwater gradient (upstream) from the specified sources of contamination.

D. The top of the casing shall terminate above grade or above any known conditions of flooding by drainage or runoff from the surrounding land. For community water supply wells, this level is defined as above the floodplain of a one-hundred-year flood as shown on the most recently approved Federal Insurance Rate Maps.

E. The area around the well shall slope away from the well and surface drainage shall be directed away from the well.

F. Where a well is to be near a building, the well shall be far enough from the building so that the well will be accessible for repair, maintenance, etc.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

The annular space shall be effectively sealed to protect it against contamination or pollution by entrance of surface and/or shallow, subsurface waters, and to provide protection for the casing against corrosion, to assure structural integrity of the casing, and to stabilize the upper formation.

A. Depth of Seal. The well drilling contractor shall be responsible for sealing the well greater than the below listed minimum depths if necessary to protect the aquifer or casing. The minimum depth of casing and annular seal below the ground's surface shall be as follows:

1. Community water supply wells, fifty feet;

2. Individual domestic wells, twenty feet;

Exception: Shallow wells where the water to be developed is at a depth less than twenty feet. In this instance, the depth of seal may be reduced but in no case less than ten feet and special precautions taken in locating the well with respect to sources of pollution.

3. Industrial wells, fifty feet.

Exception: Shallow wells where the water to be developed is at a depth less than twenty feet. In this instance, the depth of seal may be reduced but in no case less than ten feet and special precautions taken in locating the well with respect to sources of pollution.

4. Monitoring wells, depth discrete. The annular space in such wells must be sealed to make the intake section "depth-discrete."

5. All other wells, twenty feet.

At the discretion of the enforcing agency, the depth of the annular space for any well may be increased to a depth of fifty feet from the surface when the well is close to sources of pollution listed in Section 9.42.335. In areas where freezing is a potential problem, the top of the seal may be below ground surface but in no case more than four feet below ground surface. (See Section 9.42.345B).

If areas within the county appear to warrant a deeper annular seal than those listed in this section, the enforcing agency may recommend that the annular seal be increased to a specified depth in a specific area. These recommendations shall be presented to the county board of supervisors for adoption by ordinance. When adopted, these standards shall have the force and effect of law.

B. Sealing Condition. The requirements set forth in this subsection are to be observed in sealing the annular space:

1. Wells Situated in Unconsolidated Caving Material. An oversized hole, at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing, shall be drilled and a conductor casing installed to the depth of seal specified in subsection A of this section. The space between the conductor casing and the production casing shall be filled with sealing material. The conductor casing shall be withdrawn as the sealing material is placed whenever possible. Exceptions are public water supply wells which shall require the conductor casing to be pulled with no exceptions. If the conductor casing cannot be withdrawn, the conductor casing may be sealed to a depth at least five feet below the conductor casing.

In areas where it is more probable than not that the conductor casing will not be able to be pulled, perforated conductor casing shall be installed and the space shall be pressure sealed by a pump with the appropriate sealing material.

If this method is employed the following shall be required:

a. An attempt shall be made to pull the perforated conductor casing at the time of the seal placement and, if possible, pulled.

b. The perforations shall be at least three-eighths inch width with at least four perforations every vertical foot of casing.

c. The sealing material shall be neat cement grout, sand-cement grout, six-sack sand or bentonite.

2. Wells Situated in Unconsolidated Material Stratified with Significant Clay Layers. If a clay formation is encountered within five feet of the bottom of the seal described in subsection A of this section, the seal shall be extended into the restrictive formation. An oversized hole at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing, shall be drilled and the annular space filled with sealing material.

If caving material is present, a conductor casing shall be installed, and the annular space sealed as described in subdivision 1 of this subsection.

3. Wells Situated in Soft Consolidated Formation (Extensive Clays, Sandstones, etc.). An oversized hole, at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing, shall be drilled to a depth of seal specified in subsection A of this section and the space between the production casing and the drilled hole shall be filled with sealing material.

If a conductor casing is to be installed, the oversized hole shall be at least four inches greater in diameter than the conductor casing and the annular space between the conductor casing and the drilled hole filled with sealing material to the depth specified in subsection A of this section.

4. Wells Situated in "Hard" Consolidated Formations (Crystalline or Metamorphic Rock). An oversized hole described in subdivision 3 of this subsection, shall be drilled to the depth specified in subsection A of this section and the annular space filled with sealing material. If there is significant overburden, a conductor casing may be installed to retain it. If the material is heavily fractured, the seal should extend into solid material. If the well is to be open-bottomed (lower section uncased), the casing shall be seated in the sealing material.

5. Gravel-Packed Wells.

a. With Conductor Casing. An oversized hole, at least four inches greater than the diameter of the conductor casing, shall be drilled to the depth specified in subsection A of this section and the annular space between the conductor casing and drilled hole filled with sealing material. The gravel pack shall terminate at the base of the seal required in Section 9.42.340.

b. Without Conductor Casing. An oversized hole at least four inches greater in diameter than the production casing, shall be drilled to the depth specified in subsection A of this section and the annular space between the casing and drilled hole filled with sealing material. If gravel fill pipes are installed through the seal, the annular seal shall be of sufficient thickness to assure that there is a minimum of two inches between the gravel fill pipe and the wall of the drilled hole. The gravel pack shall terminate at the base of the seal. If a temporary conductor casing is used, it shall be removed as the sealing material is placed.

6. For wells situated in circumstances differing from those described in this section, the sealing conditions shall be as prescribed by the enforcing agency.

C. Sealing Material. The sealing material shall consist of neat cement grout, sand-cement grout, bentonite clay or concrete. Cement used for sealing mixtures shall meet the requirements, including the latest revision thereof, of American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM/C150 "Standard Specifications for Portland Cement" types I (common construction cement), III (high early strength), and V (for high sulfate resistance, i.e., corrosive waters). Water used for sealing mixtures shall be clean and of a potable quality. Materials used as additives for Portland cement mixtures in the field shall meet the requirements, and latest revision thereof, of ASTM C494 "Standard Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Concrete."

1. Neat cement grout shall be composed of one sack of Portland cement (ninety-four pounds) to four and one-half gallons to six and one-half gallons of clean water.

2. Sand-cement grout shall be composed of not more than two parts by weight of sand and one part of Portland cement to four and one-half to six and one-half (depending on cement type and additives used) gallons of clean water per sack of cement.

3. The materials called six sack sand or six bag mix shall be composed of not less than six sacks of cement per yard of sand/cement mixtures.

4. Concrete is useful in sealing large diameter wells where the volume of annular seal requirement is likely to be substantial. However, unless care is exercised during placement, the coarse aggregate may become separate from the cement or damage the casing. Concrete used shall be Class A (six sacks of Portland cement per cubic yard or 0.76 cubic meter) or Class B (five sacks per cubic yard or 0.76 meter). Aggregates shall meet the requirements, including the latest revision thereof, of ATSM C33 "Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates."

5. Additives, to make the mix more fluid (up to ten percent of the volume of cement), and bentonite (up to eight percent) to make the mix more fluid and to reduce shrinkage, may be used.

6. Clay may not be used where structural strength of the seal is required, where flowing or moving water might break it down, or where it might dry out. Only bentonite clays are allowed.

Bentonite shall be commercially prepared powdered, granular, pelletized or chipped (crushed) sodium montmorillonite clay. The largest dimension of pellets and chips shall be less than one-fifth of the thickness of the annular space into which they will be placed. Bentonite clay mixtures shall be composed of bentonite clay and clean water thoroughly mixed before placement so that there are no balls, clods, etc. A mixture which is lumpy shall not be used. Pellets or chips may be used where the dry annular space is to be sealed, maximum standing water depth ten feet.

7. Used driller's mud or cuttings or chips from drilling the borehole shall not be used as sealing material for the annular space described in subsection A of this section.

8. The minimum time that must be allowed for materials containing cement to set before construction operations on the well may be resumed shall be:

a. Type I cement, seventy-two hours;

b. Type III cement, forty-eight hours;

c. Type V cement, six hours. Where necessary these times may be reduced by the use of accelerators.

9. Where thermoplastic casing is used, caution should be exercised to control the heat generated during the curing of the cement. The addition of bentonite to the cement mixture (up to eight percent) or circulating water inside the casing will be allowed to lower the temperature of the cement. Additives which accelerate the curing process also tend to increase the heat generated and should not be used where thermoplastic casing is installed.

D. Thickness of Seal. The thickness of the seal shall be at least two inches and not less than five times the size of the largest coarse aggregate used in the sealing material.

E. Placement of Seal.

1. Before placing the seal, all loose cuttings, drilling mud, or other obstructions shall be removed from the annular space, as described in subsection A of this section, by flushing.

2. Before sealing commences, a packer or similar retaining device or a small quantity of sealant may be placed and permitted to set at the bottom of the interval to be sealed to form a foundation for the seal.

3. The sealing material shall be applied, when possible, in one continuous operation from the bottom of the interval to be sealed to the top.

4. Gravity installation of sealant without the aid of a tremie or grout pipe shall not be used unless the interval to be sealed is dry and in no case where the interval is equal to or greater than fifty feet in depth. Concrete shall not be placed without the aid of a tremie or grout pipe when the interval is greater than twenty feet in depth.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Openings. All openings into the top of the well which are designed to provide access to the well shall be protected against entrance of surface waters or foreign matter by the installation of watertight caps or plugs. Access openings designed to permit the entrance or egress of air or gas (air or casing vents) shall terminate above the ground and above known flood levels and shall be protected against the entrance of foreign material by the installation of downturned and screened "U" bends. All other openings (holes, crevices, cracks, etc.) shall be sealed.

A "sounding tube," taphole with plug or similar access for the introduction of water-level measuring devices shall be affixed to the casing of all wells. For wells fitted with a well cap, the cap shall have a removable plug for this purpose.

1. Where the pump is installed directly over the casing, a watertight seal (gasket) shall be placed between the pump head and the pump base (slab), or a watertight seal (gasket) shall be placed between the pump base and the rim of the casing, or a well cap shall be installed to close the annular opening between the casing and the pump column pipe.

2. Where the pump is offset from the well or where a submersible pump is used, the opening between the well casing and any pipes or cables which enter the well shall be closed by a watertight seal or well cap.

3. If the pump is not installed immediately or if there is a prolonged interruption in construction of the well, a watertight cover shall be installed at the top of the casing.

4. A watertight seal or gasket shall be placed between the pump discharge head and the discharge line; or, in the event of a below-ground discharge, between the discharge pipe and discharge line.

5. All wells should be provided with a surface seal which is constructed around the top of the casing. It shall be free from cracks, honeycombs or other defects likely to detract from its watertightness. The joint between the base and the annular seal must also be watertight. The base shall slope away from the well casing. The minimum size of the concrete base shall be four feet by four feet by four inches.

6. Where the well is to be gravel-packed, and the pack extends to the surface, a watertight cover shall be installed between the conductor casing and the inner casing.

B. Well Pits. Because of their susceptibility to contamination and pollution, the use of well pits is not allowed. A substitute device called a pitless adapter or pitless adapter unit (a variation) shall be used in place of a well pit with prior approval by the enforcing agency.

C. Enclosure of Well and Appurtenances. In community water supply wells, the well and pump shall be located in a locked enclosure to exclude access by unauthorized persons.

D. Pump Blowoff. When there is a blowoff or drain line from the pump discharge, it shall be located above any known flood level and protected against the possibility of backsiphonage or backpressure. The blowoff or drain line shall not be connected to any sewer or storm drain except when protected by an air gap.

E. Air Vents. In community water supply wells, a casing vent shall be installed. In addition, air-release vents shall be installed. Air vents are also recommended for other types of wells except those having jet pump installations requiring positive pressure.

F. Backflow Prevention. All pump discharge pipes not discharging to the atmosphere shall be equipped with a check valve or similar device to prevent backflow and backsiphonage into the well when the pumps shuts down. In addition, irrigation well systems (including those used for golf course irrigation) employing chemical feeders or injectors (a practice called chemigation) shall be equipped with an acceptable backflow prevention device. The backflow prevention device shall be one that has been approved by the enforcing agency.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

Well heads shall be provided with a watertight cap and, if in existence longer than three months, shall be enclosed in a surface security structure that protects the well from the entry of surface fluids, accidental damage, unauthorized access, and vandalism. This may be accomplished by providing a locked well cap or by securing the facility within which a well is located.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

On all monitoring wells that will be in existence for longer than three months, pertinent well information including well identification, well type, well depth, well casing diameters (if more than one size is used) and perforated intervals shall be permanently affixed to the interior of the surface security structure and the well identification number and well type shall also be affixed on the exterior of the surface security structure.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Disinfection. All wells producing water for domestic use (i.e., drinking or food processing) shall be disinfected following construction or repair and when work is done on the pump, before the well is placed in or returned to service. See the local enforcing agency for details.

B. Gravel. Gravel used in gravel-packed wells shall come from clean sources and should be thoroughly washed before being placed in the well. Gravel purchased from a supplier should be washed at the pit or plant prior to delivery to the well site. During placement of the gravel in the annular space, disinfectants (usually calcium hypochlorite in tablet or granular form) shall be added to the gravel at a uniform rate (two tablets per cubic foot or one pound of the granular form per cubic yard).

C. Lubricants. Mud and water used as a drilling lubricant shall be free from sewage contamination. Oil and water used for lubrication of the pump and pump-bearing shall also be free from contamination.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

Drilling fluids and other drilling materials shall be safely and legally handled and disposed of.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Casing Material. Requirements pertaining to well casing are as follows:

1. Well casing shall be strong and tough enough to resist the forces imposed on it during installation and those forces which can normally be expected after installation.

2. The thickness of steel used for well casing shall be selected in accordance with good design practices applied with due consideration to conditions at the site of the well. There are three principal classifications of steel materials used for water well casing, and all are acceptable for use so long as they meet the following conditions:

a. Standard and Line Pipe. This material shall meet one of the following specifications, including the latest revision thereof:

i. American Petroleum Institute (API) Std. 5L, "Specification for Line Pipe";

ii. API Std. 5LX, "Specification for High Test Line Pipe";

iii. ASTM A53, "Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated Welded and Seamless";

iv. ASTM A120, "Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped Zinc-Coated (Galvanized) Welded and Seamless, for Ordinary Uses";

v. ASTM A134, "Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded Steel Pipe (sizes NPS 16 and over)";

vi. ASTM A135, "Standard Specification for Electric-Resistance-Welded Steel Pipe";

vii. ASTM A139, "Standard Specification for Electric-Fusion (Arc)-Welded Steel Pipe (sizes 4 inches and over)";

viii. ASTM A211, "Standard Specification for Spiral-Welded Steel or Iron Pipe";

ix. American Water Works Association (AWWA) C200, "AWWA Standard for Steel Water Pipe 6 inches and larger."

b. Structural Steel. This material shall meet one of the following specifications of the American Society for Testing and Materials including the latest revision thereof:

i. ASTM A36, "Standard Specification for Structural Steel";

ii. ASTM A242, "Standard Specification for High Strength Low Alloy Structural Steel";

iii. ASTM A283, "Standard Specification for Low and Intermediate Tensile Strength Carbon Steel Plates of Structural Quality";

iv. ASTM A441, "Tentative Specification for High-Strength Low Alloy Structural Manganese Vanadium Steel";

v. ASTM A570, "Standard Specification for Hot-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet and Strip, Structural Quality."

c. High strength carbon steel sheets referred to by their manufacturers and fabricators as "well casing steel." At present, there are no standard specifications concerning this material. However, the major steel producers market products whose chemical and physical properties are quite similar. Each sheet of material shall contain mill markings which will identify the manufacturer and specify that the material is well-casing steel which complies with the chemical and physical properties published by the manufacturer.

d. Stainless steel casing shall meet the provisions of ASTM A409, "Standard Specification for Welded Large Diameter Austenitic Steel Pipe for Corrosive or High Temperature Service."

3. Plastic is also used as casing for water wells in many locations under a variety of circumstances. Because large-diameter (ten inches or two hundred fifty millimeters and larger) plastic casing has not been used extensively and especially at depths exceeding three hundred feet (ninety meters), special care must be exercised in the design and construction of wells that will employ these sizes. Particular attention should be given to the effect on thermoplastic casing of heat generated during cementing operations (see also subsection (B)(2) of this section, and Section 9.42.340). Prior approval by the enforcement agency is required. There are two groups of plastic materials available:

a. Thermoplastics. This material shall meet the requirements of ASTM F480, "Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Water Well Casing Pipe and Couplings Made in Standard Dimension Ratios (SDR)" including the latest revision thereof. SDR is the ratio of pipe diameter to wall thickness.

b. Thermosets. This material shall meet the requirements of the following specifications including the latest revisions thereof:

i. ASTM D2996, "Standard Specification for Filament Wound Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe";

ii. ASTM D2997, "Standard Specification for Centrifugally Cast Reinforced Thermosetting Resin Pipe";

iii. ASTM D3517, "Standard Specification for Reinforced Plastic Mortar Pressure Pipe";

iv. AWWA C950, "AWWA Standard for Glass-Fiber-Reinforced Thermosetting-Resin Pressure Pipe."

c. All plastic casing used for community water supply wells and individual wells shall meet the provisions of National Sanitation Foundation Standard No. 14 for Plastic Piping System Components and Related Materials.

d. Plastic casing should not be stored in direct sunlight or subjected to freezing temperatures for extensive periods of time. Further, it should be stored so as to prevent sagging and bending.

4. Concrete pipe used for casing shall conform to the following specifications, including the latest revision thereof:

a. ASTM C14, "Standard Specifications for Concrete Sewer, Storm Drain, and Culvert Pipe";

b. ASTM C76, "Standard Specification for Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe";

c. AWWA C300, "AWWA Standard for Reinforced Concrete Pressure Pipe Steel Cylinder Type, for Water and Other Liquids";

d. AWWA C301, "AWWA Standard for Prestressed Concrete Pressure Pipe, Steel Cylinder Type, for Water and Other Liquids."

5. Other materials, except as listed in subdivision 6 of this section, may be used for water wells, subject to the approval of the enforcing agency.

6. Galvanized sheet metal pipe (downspout), or natural wood shall not be used as casing.

B. Installation of Casing. All casing shall be placed with sufficient care to avoid damage to casing sections and joints. All joints in the casing above perforations or screens shall be watertight. The uppermost perforations shall be at least below the depth specified in Section 9.42.340A. Casing shall be equipped with centering guides to ensure even thickness of annular seal and/or gravel pack.

1. Metallic Casing. Steel casing may be joined by either welding or by threading and coupling. Welding shall be accomplished in accordance with standards of American Welding Society or the most recent revision of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boilers Construction Code. Where casing is driven, the casing shall be equipped with a drive shoe at the lower end.

2. Plastic (Nonmetallic) Casing. Depending on the type of material and its fabrication, plastic casing may be joined by solvent welding or mechanically joined (threaded or otherwise coupled). The solvent cement used for solvent welding shall meet the specifications of the type of plastic used and shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, particularly those pertaining to setting time required for the joint to develop handling strength. An adapter shall be used to join plastic casing to metallic casing or screen.

Plastic casing or screen shall not be driven or otherwise subjected to impact forces during installation. The effects of heat generated by curing cement on plastic casing are discussed in Section 9.42.340(C)(8).

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

In areas where a well penetrates more than one aquifer, and one or more of these aquifers contain water that, if allowed to mix in sufficient quantity, will result in significant impairment of the quality of water in the other aquifer(s) or the quality of water produced, the strata producing such poor quality water shall be sealed off to prevent entrance of the water into the well or its migration to other aquifer(s).

A. Strata producing the undesirable quality water shall be sealed off by placing impervious material opposite the strata and opposite the confining formation(s). The seal shall extend above and below the strata no less than ten feet (three meters) even should the confining formation be less than ten feet (three meters) in thickness. In the case of bottom waters, the seal shall extend ten feet (three meters) in the upward direction. The sealing material shall fill the annular space between the casing and the wall of the drilled hole in the interval to be sealed, and the surrounding void spaces which might absorb the sealing material. The sealing material shall be placed from the bottom to the top of the interval to be sealed.

In areas where deep subsidence may occur, provisions 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.

B. Sealing material shall consist of neat cement, cement grout, or bentonite clay (See Section 9.42.340C for description of various materials).

C. Sealing shall be accomplished by a method approved by the enforcing agency.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. 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.

B. The following methods used in developing, redeveloping, or conditioning a well when done with care are acceptable:

1. Overpumping;

2. Surging by use of a plunger;

3. Surging with compressed air;

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

5. Jetting the water;

6. Introduction of chemicals designed for this purpose; and

7. A combination of the above.

C. The use of explosives or development shall be done only by persons trained to handle them. Further, they should be used with special care where two or more distinct aquifers separated by a natural barrier have been penetrated.

D. Where the chemicals or explosives have been used, the well shall be pumped until these agents have been removed.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Public Water Supply Wells and Certain Industrial Wells. The water from all community water supply wells which provide water for use in food processing shall be sampled immediately following development and disinfection, and appropriate analyses made.

1. Rules and regulations governing the constituents to be tested, type of testing, etc., for community water supply systems are contained in Chapter 15, "Domestic Water Quality and Monitoring," of Title 22, California Administrative Code. Water analysis shall be performed by a laboratory certified by the California Department of Health Services. A copy of the laboratory analysis shall be forwarded to the California Department of Health Services or to the local health development. Approval of the enforcing agency must be obtained before the well is put into use.

2. Except where there is free discharge from the pump with an appropriate air gap, a sample tap shall be provided on the discharge line so that water representative of the water in the well may be drawn for laboratory analysis. The tap shall be located on the system side of the check valve or equivalent backflow preventor.

B. Other Types of Wells. To determine the quality of water produced by a new well, it should be sampled immediately following construction and development. Appropriate analyses shall be made based upon the intended uses of the water.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Use as Public Water Supply Wells. Because shallow groundwaters are often of poor quality and because they are easily contaminated, the use of bored or dug wells, or wells less than fifty feet (fifteen meters) deep, to provide community water supplies shall be avoided. When used for this purpose, these wells shall be located at least two hundred fifty feet (seventy-six meters) from any underground sewage disposal system.

B. Bored Wells. All bored wells shall be cased with concrete pipe or steel casing whose joints are watertight from six inches (one hundred fifty millimeters) above the ground surface to the depths specified in Section 9.42.340A. Except where corrugated steel pipe is used as casing, the minimum thickness of the surrounding concrete seal shall be three inches (seventy-five millimeters). Where corrugated steel pipe is employed, the joints are not watertight and a thicker annular seal (no less than six inches or one hundred fifty millimeters) shall be installed.

C. Dug Wells. All dug wells shall be curbed with a watertight curbing extending from above the ground surface to the depths specified in Section 9.42.340A. The curbing shall be of concrete poured-in-place or of casing (either precast concrete pipe or steel) surrounded on the outside by concrete. If the curbing is to be made of concrete, poured-in-place, it shall not be less than six inches (one hundred fifty millimeters) thick. If precast concrete pipe or steel casing is used as part of the curbing, the space between the wall of the hole and the casing shall be filled with concrete to the depths specified in Section 9.42.340A. The minimum thickness of the surrounding concrete shall be three inches (seventy-five millimeters).

D. Casing Material. Either steel (including corrugated steel pipe) or concrete may be used for casing bored or dug wells. Corrugated aluminum pipe is not approved.

1. Steel used in the manufacture of casing for bored or dug wells should conform to the specifications for casing material described in Section 9.42.355. Minimum thickness of steel casing for bored or dug wells shall be:

Corrugated steel pipe used as casing shall meet the specifications (including the latest revision) of ASTM/A444, "Standard Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc Coated (Galvanized) by the HOT-DIP Process for Culverts and Underdrains." The minimum thickness of sheet used shall be 0.109 inches (2.8 millimeters).

2. Concrete casing can consist of either poured-in-place concrete or precast concrete pipe. Poured-in-place concrete should be sufficiently strong to withstand the earth and water pressures imposed on it during, as well as after construction. It must be properly reinforced with steel to furnish tensile strength and to resist cracking, and it should be free from honeycombing or other defects likely to impair the ability of the concrete structure to remain watertight. Aggregate small enough to place without bridging should be used. Poured-in-place concrete shall be Class A (six sacks of Portland cement per cubic yard or 0.76 cubic meter) or Class B (five sacks per cubic yard or 0.76 cubic meter). Precast concrete pipe shall be free of blemishes that would impair their strength or serviceability. Concrete pipe shall conform to the specifications listed in Section 9.42.355(A)(4).

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. It is strongly recommended that driven wells not be used for domestic water supply.

B. Driven wells shall not be installed to a depth greater than twenty-five feet.

C. The minimum wall thickness of steel drive pipe shall not be less than 0.140 inches (3.5 millimeters).

D. The casing shall be two-inch maximum.

E. Well points made of thermoplastic materials should not be driven but jetted and washed into place.

F. Driven wells shall be provided with a surface seal.

G. This section does not apply to monitoring wells.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. The following methods used for rehabilitating a well when done with care are acceptable:

1. Introduction of chemicals designed for this purpose;

2. Surging by use of compressed air;

3. Backwashing or surging by alternately starting or stopping the pump;

4. Jetting the water;

5. Sonic cleaning;

6. Vibratory explosive; and

7. Combinations of these.

Methods which produce an explosion (in addition to the use of vibratory explosives mentioned above) are also acceptable; provided, however, they are used with great care, particularly where aquifers are separated by distinct barriers to the movement of groundwater. In those cases where chemicals or explosives have been used, the well shall be pumped until all traces of them have been removed.

B. In the repair of wells, material used for casing shall meet the requirements of Section 9.42.355 of this chapter. In addition, the requirements of Section 9.42.350 shall be followed.

C. Where the wells are to be deepened, the requirements of Sections 9.42.350, 9.42.355, 9.42.360, 9.42.365 and 9.42.370 of this chapter shall be followed.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Whenever there is an interruption in work on the well such as an overnight shutdown, the well opening shall be closed with a cover. The cover shall be held in place or weighted down in such a manner that it cannot be removed except with the aid of equipment or through the use of tools.

B. During prolonged interruptions (i.e., one week or more), a semipermanent cover shall be installed. For wells cased with steel, a steel cover, tack-welded at the top of the casing is adequate.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. The enforcing agency is empowered to enter upon private property in order to make inspections for the purposes of enforcing all provisions of this chapter. A final inspection of the work performed on any well pursuant to this chapter shall be made by the enforcing agency unless such inspection is waived by them. No permittee shall be deemed to have complied with this chapter until such inspection has been either made or waived and the installation approved.

B. The enforcing agency shall be notified by the well driller a minimum of twelve hours but not more than forty-eight hours prior to sealing the annular space. Drillers who anticipate completing a well in less than a day may notify the enforcing agency twenty-four hours prior to commencement of drilling and provide the anticipated time to commence the sealing of the annular space. If the enforcing agency fails to appear at the well site at the time designated for sealing, the well may be sealed without the presence of the enforcing agency.

C. The enforcing agency shall be notified by the well driller within seven days of completion of work by the driller and may conduct a final inspection to ensure completion of the well in compliance with this chapter.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A copy of the report required by Section 13751 (Division 7, Chapter 10, Article 3) of the Water Code shall be submitted by the well driller to the department of environmental health within thirty days of construction or destruction of any well except driven wells (well points). With the exception of well driller's name, the date the well was drilled and the well yield, all information contained in this report shall remain confidential. Reports may be made available for inspection by government agencies only upon written request, for use in making studies. In addition, reports may be made available to any person who obtains written authorization from the owner of the well. This section shall not be deemed to release any person from the requirement to file said report with the State Department of Water Resources or with any other federal, state, or local agencies.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

Upon completion of the monitoring well(s) the responsible registered professional shall submit all required reports detailing the site and monitoring well(s) construction features including, but not limited to well depth, seal depths, perforation depths, log borings, groundwater levels, groundwater gradient and surface seal construction features required by state laws, regulations and local ordinances, to the department of environmental health within thirty days of completion of the assessment or mitigation. This section shall not be deemed to release any person from the requirements to file said report and other information to other appropriate governmental entities.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain any well existing on his or her property in such a manner as to not create the risk of pollution or contamination of surface or subsurface waters or to create a safety hazard.

(Ord. 1707 § 1(part), 1999)

A. Except where the context otherwise requires, the following definitions shall govern the construction of this section:

1. "Dormant well" shall mean any individual well with a casing diameter of eight inches or less which has not been used to supply water to a permitted use located on the same parcel for a period of ninety days or more.

2. "Permitted use" shall have the same meaning set forth in Section 9.42.334.

B. Except as provided in subdivision (D), every dormant well shall be idled by one of the following methods:

1. Remove and Cap.

(i) Remove the pump and motor to render the well inoperative, and

(ii) Cover the well with a cap and weld (rigid bond) with a watertight seal that cannot be removed without the use of tools to prevent injury to persons and the entrance of undesirable water, rodents or foreign matter.

2. Disconnect, Plug, and Cap.

(i) Disconnect all electrical wiring by clipping the wires at the well head, and

(ii) Push wires completely into the internal well cap space, and

(iii) Plug electrical wire hole at the top of the well casing and weld (rigid bond) with a watertight seal that cannot be removed without the use of tools to prevent injury to persons and the entrance of undesirable water, rodents or foreign matter, and

(iv) Weld (rigid bond) all production portals which transport water from the groundwater wellhead with a watertight seal that cannot be removed without the use of tools to prevent injury to persons and the entrance of undesirable water, rodents or foreign matter.

C. Any person idling a well under this section, or reactivating a well that was previously idled, shall provide written notification to the director of environmental health. It shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter for any person to tamper with the seal placed upon a dormant well, or to extract water from a dormant well, or to cause, permit, aid, abet, suffer, or furnish equipment or labor for such tampering or extraction, without first notifying the director of environmental health as provided herein.

D. The following individual wells are exempt from this section:

1. An individual well actively used to supply an off-parcel use for which a permit has been issued in accordance with Chapter 9.40 of this Code, in compliance with the terms of that permit, shall not be considered a dormant well for purposes of this chapter.

2. An individual well for which a permit has been issued under Section 9.42.334, subdivision (A), provided that such well remains in compliance with the conditions set forth in that subdivision at all times. The owner of any dormant well heretofore permitted under any other provision of this chapter may apply to the director of environmental health for issuance of an amended permit under Section 9.42.334, subdivision (A), subject to the conditions set forth therein.

E. Any dormant well that is not idled in the manner set forth in this subsection is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. Such nuisance may be abated in the manner set forth in Chapter 10.16, in addition to any other remedies. The director of environmental health, or his or her designee, may direct the method by which a dormant well shall be idled.

(Ord. No. 2006, § 5, 6-9-2015; Ord. No. 2020, § 1, 2, 3-22-2016; Ord. No. 2037, §§ 3, 4, 3-28-2017)