For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED WELLS and ABANDONMENT. These terms shall apply to a well whose original or functional purpose and use has been discontinued for a period of one year and which has not been declared for reuse by the legal owner with the City Engineering Services, or a well in such a state of disrepair that it cannot be functional for its original purpose or any other function regulated under this subchapter. Exploration holes shall be considered ABANDONED 24 hours after construction and testing work has been completed.
AGRICULTURE WELL. Any water well used to supply water for irrigation or other agricultural purposes, including so-called “stock wells.”
ANNULAR SEAL or SANITARY SEAL. The approved material placed in the space between the well casing and the wall of the drilled hole (the annular space).
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 “cathodic protection.”
COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY WELL. Any well which provides water for public water supply systems.
CONTAMINATION. An impairment of the quality of the waters of the state by waste to a degree which creates a hazard to the public health through poisoning or through the spread of disease.
CROSS-CONNECTION. Any unprotected connection between any part of a water system used or intended to supply water for domestic purposes and any source or system containing water or other substances that are not or cannot be approved as safe, pure, wholesome, and potable for human consumption.
DEPARTMENT. City of Indio Engineering Services.
DIRECTOR. The City Engineer or the City Engineer's duly authorized representative.
DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. The facilities, conduits or any other means used for the delivery of water from the source facilities to the customer's system.
EXPLORATION HOLE. An uncased excavation for the purpose of immediately determining the existing geological and/or hydrological conditions at the site either by direct observation or other means.
INDIVIDUAL DOMESTIC WELL. Any well used to supply water for domestic needs other than a public water supply system.
INDUSTRIAL WELL. Any well used primarily to supply water for industrial processes and may supply water intentionally or incidentally for domestic purposes.
LATERAL (HORIZONTAL) WELL. A well drilled or constructed horizontally or at an angle with the horizon as contrasted with the common vertical well. The term does not include horizontal drains or wells constructed to remove subsurface water from hillside, cuts or fills.
MONITORING WELL. An artificial excavation by any method for the purpose of observing, monitoring, or supplying the conditions of a water-bearing aquifer, such as fluctuations in groundwater levels, quality of groundwaters, or the concentration of contaminants in underground waters.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, association, profit or nonprofit organization, trust, partnership, special district or governmental agency to the extent authorized by law.
POLLUTION. An alteration of water by waste to a degree which unreasonably affects the water for beneficial uses or facilities which serve such beneficial uses. POLLUTION may include CONTAMINATION.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. A system regardless of type of ownership for the provision of piped water to the public for domestic use, if the system has at least five service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days of the year. A public water system includes:
(1) Any collection, treatment, storage, and distribution facilities which are used primarily in connection with the system and which are under control of the water supplier.
(2) Any collection or pretreatment storage facilities which are used primarily in connection with the system but are not under control of the water supplier.
RECONSTRUCTION. Certain work done to an existing well in order to restore its production, replace defective casing, seal off certain strata or surface water, or similar work, not to include the cleaning out of sediments, surging, or maintenance to the pump or appurtenances where the integrity of the annular seal or water-bearing strata are not violated.
SOURCE FACILITIES. Wells, stream diversion works, infiltration galleries, springs, reservoirs, tanks, and all other facilities used in the production treatment, disinfection, storage, or delivery of water to the distribution system.
WATER WELL. Any artificial excavation constructed by any method for the purpose of extracting water from, or injecting water into the ground. This definition shall not include:
(1) Oil and gas wells, or geothermal wells constructed under the jurisdiction of the State Department of Conservation, except those wells converted to use as water wells; or
(2) Wells used for the purpose of:
(a) Dewatering excavation during construction; or
(b) Stabilizing hillsides or earth embankments.
('61 Code, § 24.113) (Ord. 1041, passed - - ; Am. Ord. 1103, passed 11-20-91)