1. A water resources impact study is required for each major subdivision of five or more lots and for each commercial, institutional, and industrial land development in the Township. The purpose of the study is to determine if there is an adequate water supply to serve the proposed use and to estimate the impact of the additional water use on existing nearby wells, underlying aquifers, and surface water bodies. Any proposed water system or on-lot water supply for a major subdivision or land development which does not provide an adequate water supply for use, or which adversely affects nearby wells or streams shall not be approved by the Township and shall be cause for denial of the subdivision or land development plans. An impact study may be waived by the Township, when the development is proposed to be served by an existing public water distribution system.
2. The Township Engineer and/or other consultants appointed by the Township, shall be involved in the water impact study as the Township feels is necessary and appropriate. All costs incurred by the Township for the water impact study shall be reimbursed by the developer.
3. The adequacy of the water supply shall be determined based upon the following assumptions:
A. An average three and one-half persons per dwelling unit.
B. Each person is assumed to use 75 gallons of water per day.
4. The water resources impact study shall be prepared by a qualified hydrogeologist and a Professional Engineer registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and shall include the following:
A. Calculations of the projected water needs using the criteria set forth in the following references:
(1) Public Water Supply Manual, Bureau of Water Quality Management, Publication Number 15, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Harrisburg, PA.
(2) Guide for Determination of Required Fire Flow, by the Insurance Services Office (ISO) as modified.
(3) American Water Works Association, standards and manuals for the American Water Works Association, Denver, CO.
B. A geological map of the area within a 1-mile radius of the site.
C. The location of all faults, lineaments, and fracture traces within ¼ mile of the site.
D. The location of all existing and proposed wells within ¼ mile of the site and of all large withdrawal wells (10,000 gallons per day or more) within 1 mile of the site.
E. The location of all existing and proposed on-lot septic systems within ¼ mile of the site.
F. The location of all streams, perennial and intermittent, and all known point and non-point sources of pollution within ¼ mile of the site.
G. A discussion of the aquifer characteristics underlying the site and their long-term drought recharge capability based on site specific investigation, except that subdivisions and land development plans not required to perform pumping tests may base the discussion of long-term drought recharge capability on accepted published data. Long-term drought recharge capability shall be defined as the average amount of water that can be withdrawn from an aquifer during extended periods of low rainfall and/or high temperatures without adversely affecting existing wells and stream flow in the surrounding area.
H. Based on the drought recharge capability and the calculated daily groundwater withdrawals of the project, a hydrologic budget shall be estimated for the site property itself and for the area within ¼-mile radius of the site.
I. A determination, aided by the results of the hydrologic budget, of whether the potential exists for adverse effects on the hydrologic environment by the proposed subdivision or land development.
J. A statement of qualifications of the person(s) preparing the study.
5. In addition to requirements of § 408.4, when a centralized or public water supply and distribution system is proposed a groundwater monitoring plan approved by the Township shall be established and shall include the following:
A. At least one test well shall be constructed for each well to be drilled. During construction the driller shall keep an accurate geological log of the type and thickness of rocks encountered and of the depth and thickness of all water bearing zones encountered and the yield from each zone.
B. Samples shall be collected every 20 feet during drilling and at every change in rock type. Each sample shall be placed in a non-breakable container and shall be made available to the Township and/or Township Engineer.
C. The following procedures shall apply to the pump test(s):
(1) Prior to pumping, the static water level shall be recorded in all wells, including test wells and monitoring wells.
(2) The test well shall be pumped at a flow rate of 150 percent of the intended long term withdrawal until the water level has stabilized.
(3) When the water level has stabilized, a yield test of not less than 48 hours shall be performed at a rate of not less than 150 percent of the intended long term withdrawal. The constant pumping rate shall not deviate more than 5 percent. An interruption of the test pumping shall require extension of the test period subject to approval by the Township.
(4) A theis curve shall be produced from the pump test which shall be reviewed by the Township to determine whether discharge rates are to be considered acceptable for the purposes of yield testing.
6. In the case where the additional requirements of § 408.5.A pertain, records must be compiled in typewritten form and provided to the Township and shall include the following information:
A. Name of the driller and personnel conducting the test.
B. Complete description of the test well or wells to include the horizontal and vertical dimensions, casing installed, and grouting details.
C. List of formation samples.
D. Static water level immediately prior to yield testing.
E. Hydrograph of depth to water surface during test pumping and recovery period at the test well or wells showing corresponding pump and discharge rate in gallons per minute and the time readings were taken.
F. Log of depth to water surface of existing and monitoring wells during test pumping period showing time readings were taken.
7. A report shall be prepared and submitted to the Township and shall accompany the submission of the test well data. The report shall analyze and interpret all of the data as to the impact on the groundwater supply and existing wells. Conclusions shall be drawn from the analysis as to the appropriateness of the site for the proposed water supply and distribution system. The credentials of the individual(s) preparing the report shall be included.
8. The complete submission to the Township shall include any and all applications, reports, or supplemental information submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and/or Delaware River Basin Commission.
9. A developer required to drill monitoring wells as part of the water resources impact study shall provide to the Township a perpetual easement allowing the Township access to the monitoring wells for the purpose of ongoing monitoring of water levels in the Township.
(Ord. 163, passed 2-28-2012, § 409)