(A) Oil and gas wells may use slush pits constructed to prevent pollution of the surrounding land surfaces. Within six months after any oil and gas well within the limits of the city shall have been completed for production of oil and/or gas, or within six months after the same shall have been completed in cases where the same is abandoned for the reason that a dry hole is found, the slush pit shall have any deleterious substances removed and be filled with dirt and leveled off.
(B) All earthen pits shall be above the 100-year floodplain or properly diked above the 100-year floodplain with a dike which is sufficient to repel floodwater. Prior to the commencement of any drilling operation, an artificial barrier shall be constructed completely around the well site no closer than 50 feet from the well bore. The top of the artificial portion of the barrier to be constructed down drainage from the well shall be level at all points at a height of no less than two feet above the ground level at the well bore in order that any deleterious matter from the well would be trapped and stored before such matter can enter the drainage off the well site. An adequate diversion ditch or dike shall be constructed across and around the uphill edge of the well site so that no surface drainage water can enter the area of the well location.
(C) Any valve in the barrier shalt be kept closed at all times. Any fluid trapped within the well site shall be pumped into steel tanks for storage and removal. The gate in the barrier may be temporarily opened under supervised conditions for rainwater drainage, and then only if it can be demonstrated that such rainwater has not been contaminated with oil, chemicals, salt, or any other deleterious substances.
(D) Reserve pits shall be constructed. As an alternative, drilling mud operations may be conducted in steel tanks and the barrier which shall be removed from the property immediately upon completion of the well.
(Prior Code, § 113.068) (Ord. 1583, passed 1-8-2008)