(A) Quality. Water supplied for use in domestic water systems in San Benito County shall conform to the latest revisions of §§ 3, 4 and 5 of the United States Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards, the requirements of the California Health and Safety Code and the Cal. Administrative Code Title 22 and local ordinances.
(B) Supply source.
(1) General requirements. The following general requirements shall apply to all development requiring facilities and services for water supply, unless otherwise specified in this chapter:
(a) Private water supply systems; compliance with Health Department requirements. When connection to an existing public water supply system or the creation of a new system is not required by the county, water supply facilities shall comply with the requirements of the San Benito Health Department;
(b) Letter of approval from Health Department. The application for a building permit shall be accompanied by written approval from the San Benito County Health Department;
(c) Public water supply systems; approval by agencies for public water systems. For developments and subdivisions requiring a public water system, the water system shall conform to the requirements of the county’s Fire Marshal, the San Benito Health Department, the county’s Public Works Department and applicable state and federal standards.
(2) Incorporated urban centers. Within an urban center with an incorporated area, water supply shall be provided by an existing agency as follows:
(a) Major and minor subdivisions shall connect to a public water system having adequate capacity for the subdivision. If a public water system with adequate capacity is not immediately available, the developers shall provide for adequate capacity.
(b) Development on existing parcels shall connect to a public water system. Main extensions for the purpose of serving development shall be constructed across the full frontage of the property served unless otherwise directed by the water purveyor. The developer shall fund needed main extension.
(3) Unincorporated urban centers. Within an unincorporated urban center, water supply shall be provided by an existing agency or if there is no existing agency, a new district shall be formed.
(a) Major and minor subdivisions shall connect to a public water system having adequate capacity for the subdivision. If a public water system with adequate capacity is not immediately available, the developer shall provide for adequate capacity by developing a potable water system to serve the subdivision. The public water system so developed shall be designed to ultimately connect to the existing system and be approved by the existing agency if any.
(b) Development on existing parcels shall connect to a public water system. Main extensions for the purpose of serving development shall be constructed across the full frontage of the property served unless otherwise directed by the water purveyor. The developer shall fund needed main extension.
(4) Industrial areas. Development within planned industrial areas shall connect to a water system approved by the County Engineer planned to serve the entire industrial area or connect to an existing public water system with adequate capacity. Any water supply system serving more than one parcel shall be a public water system. If there is no existing agency to provide service, a new district shall be formed. Industrial uses may be permitted to develop using an on-site well system.
(5) Highway service areas. Development within highway service areas shall connect to a water supply system planned to service the entire highway service area. Any water supply system serving more than one parcel shall be a public water system approved by the County Engineer. If there is no existing agency to provide service, a new district shall be formed.
(6) Rural communities. Within rural communities, water supply shall be as follows:
(a) Major and minor subdivisions may develop using on-site well systems. If on-site water is unacceptable for well systems, water supply shall provided by a public water system approved by the County Engineer, planned to serve the entire residential area. If there is no existing agency to provide service, a new district shall be formed.
(b) Major subdivisions with parcels less than two acres shall require a public water system serving the subdivision and planned to serve the entire rural community. If there is no existing agency to provide service, a new district shall be formed.
(c) Development on existing parcels shall connect to a public water system if water main is within 1,000 feet of the nearest property line. If an existing water main is not within 1,000 feet, an on-site well may be allowed if the design is approved by the County Engineer and county’s Health Department and the well and on-site water system meet the general requirements.
(7) Commercial recreation area. Commercial recreation areas shall comply with standards for industrial areas.
(C) On-site wells.
(1) General requirements.
(a) For those projects for which an individual well on each parcel is an acceptable supply, test wells shall be developed and tested for quality and quantity prior to filing of a final or parcel map, or issuance of a building permit where allowed by the County Engineer as follows:
Proposed Development | Number of Test Wells Required |
Parcels 20 acres or larger | One per parcel |
Parcels of less than 20 acres each | One per 40 acres |
Less than 20 total acres | One per development |
(b) Where topography, geological conditions or little information from existing wells is available, additional test wells may be required on each and every lot. Test wells shall be pumped in a manner satisfactory to the county’s Health Department for quality as well as quantity, as regulated under state law, the county’s Local Water Systems ordinance, or other applicable laws. Wells to serve other uses shall produce a minimum of the design source capacity. The provisions of this section may be waived by the Health Officer if sufficient well information has been developed in the area to assure adequate potable water. A statement to the Health Department by a licensed well driller and a report by a recognized engineering geologist or hydrologist may be required in this case.
(c) Where the water supply for a subdivision is proposed to be by new wells, the new wells shall, prior to filing the final or parcel map, be developed and tested for quality and quantity. The wells shall be pumped in a manner satisfactory to the county’s Health Department and Public Works Department and shall produce a minimum of the design standard for source capacity. If necessary to meet the minimum quality standards, additional treatment facilities must be constructed prior to putting the well into service. Supply minimum of one well log when available; additional logs shall be required for more than ten test wells or when determined by the Engineer that there is a significant change in strata.
(2) Well construction. Any well to be constructed for use as a domestic water supply of a single family dwelling shall be constructed to the latest revision of the standards as specified in Bulletin 74, Water Well Standards, State of California, Department of Water Resources. A separate utility service or sub-panel is required for fire suppression water supply, pursuant hereto.
(D) Community water system.
(1) General requirements. For those projects for which a community water system is required, new or as a connection to an existing system, the following shall serve as the minimum water requirements when determining adequate capacity.
(2) Domestic supply. A community water system shall be designed to meet the criteria of water supply requirements for domestic supply, set in California Waterworks Standards, Cal. Administrative Code Title 22 or Public Utilities Commission General Order 103; whichever is the more restrictive.
(3) Fire flow. Fire flow shall be as provided herein. The total calculated fire flow required for residential development may be reduced by 250 gpm where fire sprinkler systems are installed in the residence, the attic areas and accessory buildings in the development. Sprinkler systems must be enforceable through recorded deed restriction to allow the fire flow reduction.
(4) Storage. Where emergency power is not provided for water production facilities meeting the required fire flow, sufficient storage for a volume of water equal to two hours production of the needed fire flow shall be required.