1. General. All individual, residential, geothermal, agricultural, monitoring, commercial and community wells are regulated by the Bucks County Department of Health “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
2. Private Centralized and Public Water Supply and Distribution Systems.
A. All property which abuts a public water supply line and requires water service must make connection to the public water system pursuant to Ordinance No. 42, adopted on October 23, 1979.
B. Where a private centralized or public water supply and distribution system is proposed consistent with requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, the private centralized or public water supply and distribution system shall be designed and constructed in accordance to specifications of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
C. All private centralized water supply and distribution systems shall be offered for dedication to the Township. In the event the Township refuses dedication, ownership and operation shall be maintained by a homeowner’s association in a manner acceptable to the Township.
D. The developer shall construct water mains in such a manner as to make adequate service available to each lot, or dwelling unit within the subdivision or land development and, if feasible in the opinion of the Township, shall also include facilities capable of supplying service to adjacent properties when it is desirable for planning purposes. Water mains shall be constructed by the developer in such a manner as to make adequate water service available to each lot, building or dwelling unit within the subdivision. A minimum pressure of 35 pounds per square inch shall be provided at each house or other building to be connected to the water supply main. The water supply must comply with regulations and standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and when applicable, the Delaware River Basin Commission.
E. The water supply system shall be designed with adequate capacity, storage facility and appropriately spaced fire hydrants for firefighting purposes pursuant to the latest edition of the “Rating Schedule for Municipal Fire Protection” by Insurance Services Office.
F. A water resources impact study pursuant to § 408 shall be required for each major subdivision of five or more lots and each land development which is not proposed to be served by an existing public water supply and distribution system.
G. Water quality requirements for a proposed centralized water system shall conform to applicable standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Bucks County Health Department.
H. When connection is proposed to a water Authority, written verification of willingness to serve and water system design approval must be submitted to the Township from the servicing water authority.
3. Private Individual Water Supply and Distribution System.
A. For all subdivisions not served by public or community water supply and distribution systems pursuant to subsection 1.B., water shall be furnished by the owner on an individual lot basis. All individual lot wells must be drilled within the boundaries of the lot to be served.
B. All wells shall meet minimum isolation distances as required by Bucks County Department of Health “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” Section 4.1 Well Location, dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
C. All wells shall be provided with a watertight casing. Casing shall be installed and grouted in accordance with Bucks County Department of Health “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” Section 4.2 Casing, Section 4.3 Grout Materials, and Section 4.4 Grout Placement, dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
D. Well drilling/construction must be inspected by Bucks County Department of Health pursuant to “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” Section 5 Inspection, dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
E. In order to be certified for use, a well must have a production of not less than 6 gallons per minute as established by bailer tests and certified by the well driller. If less than 6 gallons per minute yield is established by bailer tests, a pumping test to establish yield shall be required. The pumping test shall be of not less than 4 hours duration conducted at a rate of at least 150 percent of the expected withdrawal from the well. The test shall be conducted at a constant pumping rate throughout the 4-hour period. Such a well may still be certified for use if it provides sufficient storage for the length of time necessary to provide expected peak demand, provided that in no case will a well yielding less than 1 gallon per minute be certified for use.
F. Following completion of construction and installation of the pumping equipment, or alteration of a potable water supply well, the well shall be pumped until the water is clear. The well and distribution system shall be disinfected according to the American Water Works (AWWA) procedures. This procedure shall apply to all interior plumbing in any dwelling that is newly constructed or has extensive re-plumbing work.
G. Potable water well quality shall meet requirements of Bucks County Department of Health “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” Section 9 Water Quality, dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
H. No building permit shall be issued for any construction on each lot of the subdivision until the owner of the lot provides to the Zoning Officer a copy of the “Certificate of Use” issued by Bucks County Department of Health pursuant to Section 10.1 of the “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” dated January 1, 2011, as amended.
4. Permanent Monitoring Wells.
A. The purpose of monitoring wells shall be to provide the Township with a means to check the impact of development on the water supply of the Township on an ongoing basis.
B. All major subdivision plans of 10 or more lots proposing a community or public water supply and distribution system shall be required to drill a monitoring well which shall be permanent.
C. An additional monitoring well shall be required for all subdivision plans proposing 30 or more lots. Location of monitoring wells shall be subject to approval by the Township.
D. The developer shall provide the Township a permanent easement to allow access to the monitoring wells by the Township.
E. The monitoring wells shall be drilled with a minimum 6-inch diameter casing at a depth not less than the elevation of the lowest well (bottom) within the subdivision.
F. Monitoring wells shall contain locked caps designed in a manner satisfactory to the Township. A minimum of two keys shall be provided to the Township for the locking mechanism.
5. Well Abandonment. Where an existing well is proposed to be abandoned, well closure must be in accordance with BCHD Well Abandonment Procedures required pursuant to “Rules and Regulations Governing All Wells and Their Construction Specifications,” Section 11 Well Abandonment.
(Ord. 163, passed 2-28-2012, § 521)