1. Location.
A. The following minimum isolation distances to existing or potential sources of pollution shall be maintained:
Source of Pollution
Minimum isolation distances from the proposed closed-loop borehole to the facilities listed below:
WATER RELATED MINIMUM DISTANCE
(1) Delineated wetlands, floodplains lakes, 10 feet
ponds or other surface waters
(2) Rainwater pits 10 feet
(3) Storm drains, retention basins storm water 10 feet
stabilization ponds
SEWAGE RELATED
(1) Subsurface sewage absorption areas elevated sand 50 feet
mounds, cesspools, sewage seepage pits
(2) Spray irrigation site perimeter, sewage sludge and 50 feet
septage disposal sites
(3) Septic tanks, aerobic tanks, sewage pump tanks, 25 feet
holding tanks
(4) Sewer drains, public sewer laterals 5 feet
CHEMICAL RELATED
(1) Preparation area or storage area of hazardous 300 feet
spray materials, fertilizers or chemicals, salt piles. (150 feet)
(If borehole is cased and grouted inside and out)
(2) Surface or subsurface containers or tanks of 300 feet
greater than 1000 gal. used for storage of (150 feet)
materials that cannot be properly
renovated by passage through soil. This includes,
but is not limited to, gasoline and all other
petroleum products. (If borehole is cased and
grouted inside and out.)
(3) Surface or subsurface containers or tanks of 30 feet
1000 gal. or less used for storage of materials
which cannot be properly renovated by
passage through soil. This includes, but is not
limited to, gasoline and all other petroleum
products. For example, the type of tanks frequently
used in homes using oil for heating purposes.
(4) Identified NPL Site (Superfund Sites) plume area 300 feet
(If borehole is cased and grouted inside and out.)
MISCELLANEOUS
(1) Property lines, all right-of-ways, easements 10 feet
(2) Any other source of pollution As approved
B. Any proposed deviation from the isolation distances prescribed in paragraph § 23-1301.1 above must be approved in writing by the Borough, with reasons stated for such deviation.
2. Construction.
A. Closed-loop geothermal boreholes shall be located, drilled and finished in a manner that will protect the borehole structure from damage from surface activities or other natural occurrences so that the quality of the local groundwater cannot be affected.
B. The well contractor shall be responsible for insuring that the borehole is drilled in the permitted location. Deviation from the permitted location must receive prior written approval from this Borough. The well contractor shall be responsible for drilling the borehole and the final backfilling after the pipe loop has been installed.
C. Casings are not required. Casings may be necessary to hold the borehole open during the drilling process. Casings may be left in the borehole at the discretion of the well contractor. When a casing is used, grouting the annular space is required.
D. The pipe loop is to be installed by a contractor who is certified in the proper method of heat fusion specified by the pipe manufacturer. The well contractor shall be responsible for msuring that the pipe loop is installed in accordance with the specifications of the ground source heat pump system manufacturer, the pipe manufacturer and that the borehole is properly backfilled.
E. Backfilling shall be according to the specifications of the ground source heat pump equipment manufacturer. When sand is the specified backfill material, the borehole shall be constructed in the same manner as a water supply well. A casing is required to be used and the annular space is required to be grouted.
F. If the closed-loop borehole penetrates bedrock it must be grouted from a depth of 15 feet into the bedrock to the top of the borehole.
G. The recommended backfilling material for these boreholes shall be bentonite. The bentonite shall conform to the grouting standard specified in § 23-402.2.D.5)
3. Permitting. Closed-loop geothermal boreholes shall be permitted in accordance with Part 3 of this Chapter. Each borehole must be permitted using a single application. A fee will be charged for each borehole.
(Ord. 613, 5/11/2015)