For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERING. The deepening, recasting, perforating, reperforating, the installation of packers or seals, and other material changes in the design of a geothermal heating system.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR. City Administrator of the City of Dilworth or the Administrator’s authorized representative.
CONSTRUCTING. The boring, digging, drilling or excavating of a geothermal heating system, including the installation of casing or geothermal heating system screens.
GEOTHERMAL FLUID. Any fluid transporting or capable of transporting geothermal heat.
GEOTHERMAL HEAT. Heat derived from geothermal resources or heat derived from ground water.
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES. The natural heat of the earth, and the energy, in whatever form, below the surface of the earth present in, resulting from, or created by, or which may be extracted from, the natural heat, and all minerals in solution or other products obtained from naturally heated fluids, brines, associated gases, in whatever form, found below the surface of the earth, exclusive of oil, hydrocarbon gas, other hydrocarbon gas, other hydrocarbon substances or helium, but including specifically:
(1) All products of geothermal processes, embracing indigenous steam, hot water and hot brines;
(2) Steam and other gases, hot water and hot brines resulting from water, gas or other fluids artificially introduced into geothermal formations;
(3) Heat or other associated energy found in geothermal formations; and
(4) Any by-product derived from them.
GROUND WATER. Any water, except capillary moisture, beneath the land surface or beneath the bed of any stream, lake, reservoir or other body of surface water, whatever may be the geological formation or structure in which such water stands, flows, percolates or otherwise moves.
OWNER. The holder of the record title to real property or the person entitled to use of the thermal ground water at the property.
PERSON. A natural person, firm, partnership, association, social or fraternal organization, corporation, non-profit corporation, trust, estate, receiver, syndicate, branch of government or similar entities, any group or combination acting as a unit, or the successors or assigns of any of the aforesaid.
POLLUTION. The contamination or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties of any surface or ground waters which will or can reasonably be expected to render such waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate beneficial use.
RESERVOIR. An aquifer or combination of aquifers or zones containing a common geothermal or ground water resource.
THERMAL GROUND WATER. Ground water which is less than 250°F at bottom-hole temperature, and possessing sufficient heat to be used for a direct thermal application or in conjunction with a ground water heat pump.
(Ord. 09-02, passed 4-13-2009)