For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED, ABANDONMENT. A well which has not been used for a period of one (1) year, unless the owner declares in writing, to the City Engineer, his or her intention to use the well again for supplying water or other associated purposes, such as an observation well or injection well, and receives approval of such declaration from the City Engineer. All such declarations shall be renewed annually and at such time be resubmitted to the City Engineer for approval. Test holes and exploratory holes shall be considered abandoned twenty-four (24) hours after construction work has been completed, unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
AGRICULTURAL WELL. A water well used to supply water for irrigation or other agricultural purposes, including so-called stock wells.
CATHODIC PROTECTION WELL. Any artificial excavation in excess of 50 feet constructed by any method for the purpose of installing equipment or facilities for the protection, electrically, of metallic equipment in contact with the ground, commonly referred to as a cathodic protection well or a deep anode.
CITY ENGINEER. The City Engineer of the city of Brea or his or her designee.
COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY WELL. A water well used to supply water for domestic purposes in systems subject to Cal. Health & Safety Code, Chapter 7 of Part 1 of Division 5.
CONSTRUCT, RECONSTRUCT. To dig, drive, bore, drill or deepen a well, or to reperforate, remove, replace or extend a well casing.
DESTRUCTION. The proper filling and sealing of a well that is no longer useful so as to assure that the ground water is protected, and to eliminate a potential physical hazard.
ELECTRICAL GROUNDING WELL. Any artificial excavation in excess of 50 feet constructed by any method for the purpose of establishing an electrical ground.
INDIVIDUAL DOMESTIC WELL. A water well used to supply water for domestic needs of an individual residence or commercial establishment.
INDUSTRIAL WELL. A water well used to supply an industry on an individual basis.
OBSERVATION WELL. A well used for monitoring or sampling the conditions of a water-bearing aquifer, such as water pressure, depth, movement or quality.
PERMIT. A written permit issued by the City Engineer permitting the construction, reconstruction, destruction or abandonment of a well.
PERSON. Any person, firm, corporation or governmental agency.
PUBLIC NUISANCE. When applied to a well, shall mean any well which threatens to impair the quality of ground water or otherwise jeopardize the health or safety of the public.
SALT WATER (HYDRAULIC) BARRIER WELL. A well used for extracting water from or injecting water into the underground as a means of preventing the intrusion of salt water into a fresh water bearing aquifer.
TEST or EXPLANATORY HOLE. An excavation used for determining the nature of underground geological or hydrological collections, whether by seismic investigation, direct observation or any other means.
WELL. Any artificial excavation constructed by any method for the purpose of extracting water from or injecting water into the underground, for providing cathodic protection or electrical grounding of equipment, for making tests or observations of underground conditions or for any other similar purpose. WELLS shall include, but shall not be limited to, community water supply wells, individual domestic wells, industrial wells, agricultural wells, cathodic protection wells, electrical grounding wells, test and exploratory holes, observation wells and salt water (hydraulic) barrier wells, as defined herein, and other wells whose regulation is necessary to fulfill the purpose of this chapter as determined by the City Engineer. WELLS shall not include: oil and gas wells, geothermal wells or other wells constructed under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Conservation, except those wells converted to use as water wells; wells used for the purpose of dewatering excavations during construction, or stabilizing hillsides or earth embankments; or other wells whose regulation is not necessary to fulfill the purpose of this chapter as determined by the City Engineer.
('61 Code, § 24A.2) (Ord. 506, passed - - )