(A) Generally. For purposes of this section, wells are grouped into two categories as follows:
(1) Small yield wells. Class I and Class II wells; and
(2) Large yield wells. Class III wells and/or wells that are proposed for dedication to the township, (all of these wells will require a permit from the DRBC and the PaDEP).
(B) Small yield wells.
(1) These wells shall be drilled with a six-inch diameter or larger to a minimum depth of 300 feet in order to obtain the minimum yield indicated below.
(2) During drilling of the well, the following shall be accomplished.
(a) Whenever a water-bearing zone is encountered, drilling shall be stopped and the well developed by surging with air. Development of the well shall be repeated after completion of drilling, by the same method, until the water is clear.
(b) The well drilling log shall be submitted to the township together with a map, where necessary, at a scale of one inch equals 400 feet showing the location of the well. The log should include the name, address, phone number and seal or license number of the professional geologist or well driller who prepared the log and should bear his or her signature.
(C) Large yield wells. Upon satisfactory completion of the test wells, these wells shall be constructed with a ten-inch diameter or larger to a minimum depth of 400 feet.
(D) Well yield.
(1) Class I wells.
(a) Class I wells shall have a minimum yield of six gpm of which four gpm can be obtained from storage in the well. A minimum of two gpm, however, must be obtained from aquifer contribution. For this contribution, only yield from water-bearing zones located at a depth of 150 feet or greater shall be considered. That is, contribution from water-bearing zones encountered above 150 feet will not be included in the computation.
(b) The township, at its sole discretion, may waive both the yield and depth requirements provided above in divisions (B)(1) and (D)(1)(a) above upon certification by a professional geologist experienced in the practice of hydrogeology, that the well can meet, on a long-term basis, the water supply needs of the project.
(c) In no case shall a well yielding less than one gpm be certified for any use.
(d) For a Class I Well to be certified for any use other than a single-family dwelling, a water quantity report shall be submitted by a hydrogeologist stating the yield and storage requirements for the proposed use and indicating how the well shall meet these requirements.
(2) Class II and III wells. The yield requirements for Class II and Class III wells shall be determined in accordance with the procedures outlined in the township subdivision and land development ordinance.
(E) Casing.
(1) Small yield wells shall be constructed with a water-tight, one-quarter inch thick welded steel pipe casing (steel with a weight of 18.97 lbs. per linear foot). Pipe shall be in accordance with AWWA Standard C200. The minimum length of casing shall be 40 feet or ten feet into bedrock, whichever is greater. All joints between sections of the casing shall be made by continuous welding in accordance with AWWA Standard C206. Where a pump section or discharge pipes enter or leave a well through the side of the casing, the circle of contact shall be water-tight. All casing shall be extended at least 18 inches above final grade or 12 inches above the basement floor.
(2) (a) Large yield wells shall be double-cased. The outer casing (14-inch diameter or larger) shall extend to a depth of between 15 and 20 feet below the surface of the ground, depending on site-specific conditions, and shall be made of steel. The ten-inch diameter or larger inner steel casing shall extend a minimum of 50 feet below the surface of the ground or a minimum of ten feet into competent bedrock, whichever is greater. All joints between sections of this casing shall be made by continuous welding in accordance with AWWA Standard C206.
(b) The wall thickness of the casing shall be as follows:
Casing Diameter | Wall Thickness (Inches) |
10 inches | 0.279 |
12 inches | 0.330 |
14 inches | 0.375 |
16 inches | 0.375 |
(c) Where a pump section or discharge pipes enter or leave a well through the side of the casing, the circle of contact shall be water-tight. The outer casing shall extend a minimum of 12 inches and the inner casing a minimum of 18 inches above the surface of the ground.
(3) Upon completion of drilling and construction, the well shall be capped and the cap tightly secured to the casing to minimize vandalism and to avoid the entrance of potential contaminants. In addition to the casing being capped, any open space shall be covered until the well has been grouted and the pump installed. The cap should be either threaded onto the casing or be a friction type device which locks onto the outside of the casing.
(4) The diameter of the borehole to be cased shall be a minimum of four inches larger than the diameter of the casing.
(5) All wells shall be cased to protect against contamination. Water bearing formations that are known to be contaminated or those identified as being in danger of contamination shall be sealed off with casing and grout. Sealing shall be accomplished by a method approved by the DEP.
(6) Unconsolidated or carbonate water bearing formations will require special consideration.
(F) Grouting.
(1) The annulus or space between the overburden and the bedrock and the casing or, in the case of wells that are double-cased, the spaces between the bedrock, the outer casing and the inner casing shall be filled with neat cement or a mixture of neat cement and not more than 5% bentonite to a distance of at least six feet below the ground surface. Grouting used shall be in accordance with AWWA Standard A100.
(2) Grout shall be applied by means of a pump and tremie pipe starting from the bottom up in a continuous operation in order to form a water-tight seal. Proper placement of the grout requires that the diameter of the borehole to be cased be a minimum of four inches larger than the diameter of the casing.
(3) After placement, the grout shall be allowed to harden for 12 hours with the use of Type III (high early strength) cement, before drilling of the well can continue. If Type I cement is used, it shall be allowed to harden for 24 hours.
(4) The township shall be provided 48 hours advance notice of intent to grout the well and the grouting operation shall not be conducted until a representative of the township is present at the site to observe it.
(G) Wellhead construction.
(1) The wellhead shall be constructed so as to ensure the maximum protection of the well and to exclude entry of any contaminant.
(2) The space between the pump column and the casing of each well shall be provided with a vent which shall be protected with an elbow facing downward or mushroom type head located at least 18 inches above flood levels. All vents shall be screened to prevent the entry of insects.
(3) Wells shall be properly capped to prevent the entry of contamination until the pump is installed.
(H) Pitless adapter. All wells in the township shall be constructed with pitless adapter. All pitless adapters shall conform to the standards set forth by the DEP.
(I) Minimum separation distances.
(1) All wells must maintain the following minimum distances from the outer boundary of the following known points or sources of pollution:
Source of Contamination | Separation Distance (Feet) |
Cesspools | 100 |
Septic tanks | 50 |
Sewage disposal field | 100 |
Sewer lines | 50 |
Spray irrigation fields - boundary | 100 |
(2) Additionally, if a potential source of contamination is suspected to exist within 100 feet of the proposed well, a hydrogeologic investigation shall be implemented, which, at a minimum, shall attempt to identify and locate the potential source of contamination, and shall include description of the geology, depth to groundwater, direction of groundwater flow and potential impact to the quality of the groundwater near the well. The investigation shall be conducted by a qualified professional geologist.
(3) Some Class II wells and Class III wells, in addition to the above, shall require sanitary approval from the PaDEP and/or BCDH before the township will issue a drilling permit.
(J) Disinfection of wells.
(1) After the drilling of the well has been completed or after the temporary pump for the implementation of the required pumping test has been installed but before conducting the pumping test, the well shall be disinfected. Disinfection shall be accomplished following the procedure outlined in the EPA Manual of Water Well Construction.
(2) In addition, disinfection of a well is required when one of the following conditions occurs:
(a) After installation of the permanent pumping equipment and before the well is put into service;
(b) When a well, pumping equipment or distribution system line is repaired or upgraded, or whenever work is done on the well, including the pump equipment, discharge lines and electric cables;
(c) If the existing well has been temporarily flooded or subjected to other possible contamination; or
(d) Upon receipt of laboratory report indicating the presence of bacteriological contamination.
(3) Materials needed to accomplish disinfection: chlorine liberating compounds are sold at grocery, hardware and swimming pool supply stores under various names. A partial list of representative compounds and the approximate percent of available chlorine contained in each are as follows. (Note: always check the container label for the correct percentage of available chlorine contained in the specific product and correct dosages accordingly.)
(a) Liquid form. Sodium hypochlorite (household bleach), generally sold with 5.25% available chlorine (generic brands may contain less available chlorine); and
(b) Granular form.
1. Calcium hypochlorite: 65% available chlorine; and
2. Industrial sodium hypochlorite: 10% to 15% available chlorine.
(4) Disinfection procedure: the following step must be followed.
(a) Remove any covering over the well casing to gain access to the water source;
(b) 1. If the liquid form of chlorine compound is used (approximately 5.25% available chlorine), mix a total of about two quarts with eight gallons of water. If the granular form of chlorine is used (approximately 65% available chlorine), mix a total of ten tablespoons (approximately five ounces) with eight gallons of water.
2. The process of mixing the chlorine with eight gallons of water is necessary for the following reasons:
a. To disperse the disinfectant as evenly as possible throughout the water supply;
b. To prevent a concentrated solution of chlorine from corroding the pump and other metal parts; and
c. To add sufficient weight so the disinfectant is forced into the surrounding water bearing formation and aquifer.
(c) The amount of chlorine that is listed in division (J)(4)(b)2. above will disinfect approximately 100 to 150 feet of water in a six-inch diameter cased well;
(d) A garden hose should be connected to a faucet (preferably an outside faucet) with an adjustable nozzle attached to the end of the hose. The chlorine compounds, buckets, a stirring device and the hose end should be at the well location;
(e) Mix the proper amount of chlorine compound in the bucket of water and pour the solution into the well. This procedure should be done in a circular motion so as to wash down the inside of the casing with the chlorine solution. Repeat with the remaining buckets of water;
(f) Spray water against the inside of the casing. When the odor of chlorine is detected in the water coming from the hose nozzle, lower the hose slowly down the well casing as far as possible. Wash down the casing several times with the chlorinated water by raising and lowering the hose. If it is difficult to distinguish the odor of chlorine at the nozzle, try to detect the odor at a faucet;
(g) The chlorinated water must be drawn to all fixtures served by the well by opening the fixture valve and operating the pump until the smell of chlorine is evident at each fixture. This includes both hot and cold water faucets. When the chlorine smell is detected, close all fixture valves. This will insure that all piping will be properly disinfected;
(h) Allow the chlorine to remain in the entire water supply at least eight hours. After disinfection, pump the well thoroughly by opening some fixture valves until the odor of chlorine can no longer be detected in the water being discharged;
(i) A water sample for bacteriological analysis should be collected approximately five to seven days after disinfection to be certain the water has no continuing contamination and is safe to drink. Sampling must be conducted after several days since samples collected immediately after disinfection may not be representative of the water normally used; and
(j) If the bacterial sample taken from the well in division (J)(4)(i) above is reported unsafe, repeat the steps in divisions (J)(4)(a) through (J)(4)(i) above a second time.
(K) Pumping tests.
(1) Class I wells.
(a) A short-term pumping test is required for all Class I wells constructed in the township. The pumping phase of the test shall last a minimum of four hours and will be followed by the recovery phase. Water level measurements during the recovery phase shall be taken until the well has achieved 95% recovery. The test shall be conducted at a rate of not less than 150% of the intended long-term withdrawal from the well and at a constant pumping rate that should not deviate greater than +/- 5% during the test.
(b) The pumping test shall be conducted in accordance with one of the following procedures:
1. Two part pumping test for evaluating the water-supply capabilities of domestic wells, New Jersey Geological Survey, Groundwater Report Series No. 1, by Jeffrey L. Hoffman and Robert Canace (1986); and
2. Standards of professional hydrogeologic practice: in this case, a proposal outlining the procedure to be used during the pumping test shall be submitted to the township for review and approval, and the test shall not be implemented until approval is issued.
(c) The water level data collected during the pumping test and analysis thereof shall be included in a report of findings, and this report must be submitted to the township before a zoning permit will be issued. This report shall be compiled in typewritten form and include the following information:
1. Name of driller and personnel conducting test;
2. Description of test well to include horizontal and vertical dimensions, casing installed and grouting details;
3. List of formation samples;
4. Static water level immediately prior to yield testing;
5. Hydrograph of depth to water surface during test pumping and recovery period at the test well showing corresponding pump and discharge rate in gallons per minute and time readings were taken;
6. Log of depth to water surface at existing and monitoring wells during test pumping period showing time readings were taken; and
7. Results from laboratory testing of the water samples taken during the pump test.
(d) Pumping tests for individual on-lot residential wells can be completed by the driller. For all other Class I wells, the pumping test must be completed and the report prepared by a professional geologist. The township shall be notified 48 hours prior to the test so that a representative may be present during implementation.
(e) A minimum of one water sample shall be collected to test the water for primary and secondary contaminants listed in Table 1 above.
(f) A minimum of one water sample shall be collected during the pumping test for analysis of coliform bacteria. The sample shall be collected ten minutes prior to the end of the test. A second sample shall be collected and analyzed for coliform bacteria no more than 30 days prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
(g) A means of accurately measuring the well discharge shall be provided, subject to approval by the township, and this well discharge shall be directed away from the site by a method suitable to the township to a point suitable to the township.
(2) Class II and Class III wells.
(a) All Class II and Class III wells shall be subjected to a long-term pumping test in accordance with the requirements and procedures set forth in the township subdivision and land development ordinance.
(b) For subdivisions proposing four or more lots served by individual on-lot wells, a minimum of one well for each 15 lots or fraction thereof shall be drilled and tested in accordance with long-term pumping test requirements set forth in the township subdivision and land development ordinance. All other lots shall have individual wells drilled and tested prior to issuance of a building permit.
(c) The township shall be provided a minimum of 72 hours’ advance notice of the time and date for the implementation of the long-term pumping test, and the test shall not commence until a representative of the township is present.
(L) Monitoring wells. The applicant for a Class II or Class III well drilling permit shall be required to install monitoring wells to determine the impact of the proposed well(s) on existing wells. A minimum of two monitoring wells shall be installed for each required pumping test.
(1) The monitoring wells can be either existing wells or newly drilled wells. The existing wells shall constitute a representative sample of wells, evenly spaced around the pumping well.
(2) Each monitoring well shall be observed for changes in water level. Sufficient well monitoring shall be performed to allow for the construction of hydrographs showing a continuous record of well levels before, during, and after the pumping test.
(3) All newly drilled monitoring wells shall be constructed in accordance with the following criteria:
(a) The well shall be drilled to a minimum depth of 300 feet;
(b) The well shall have a minimum diameter of six inches;
(c) Casing material, as specified by the township, shall be placed to a minimum depth of 40 feet. Additional casing shall be installed to prevent collapse if the weathered zone is deeper than 40 feet;
(d) The well shall be equipped with a weather resistant locking cap; and
(e) The applicant shall obtain a well drilling permit from the township prior to drilling the well.
(4) All monitoring wells shall be operated in accordance with the following criteria:
(a) The township shall be permitted to monitor the well on a monthly basis, or more often, if necessary, to obtain water level measurements and pump the well to obtain samples of the water for laboratory analysis;
(b) The well shall be equipped with a continuous record water level recorder;
(c) The well shall be completed, including installation of the level recorder, and monitoring water levels prior to any removal of water from the site for testing or consumption;
(d) State plane coordinates shall be provided to establish the location of the well;
(e) The elevation of the ground adjacent to the well, in addition to the static water level, shall be based on USGS datum;
(f) The well shall be located close enough to the pumping well(s) so that sufficient drawdown is created in this monitoring well during the pump test so that storage capacity can be calculated; and
(g) The township shall approve the location of the well.
(Ord. 186, passed 1-9-2008)