For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDONED WELL. A well whose use or construction has been discontinued, or which is in such a state of disrepair that continued use for obtaining ground water or other useful purpose is impracticable.
(1) PERMANENTLY ABANDONED WELL. Any well removed from or not yet put into service; or whose use is impracticable because of faulty construction, location, water quality, insufficient yield, unserviceable casing and screen; or which has been removed from service because it no longer serves its intended use.
(2) TEMPORARILY ABANDONED WELL. Any usable well whose use has been temporarily discontinued because of well or pump maintenance problems and newly constructed wells not yet put into service.
ACCESS PORT. An opening in the well casing or well head installed for the primary purpose of determining the water level in the well.
AGENT. Any person who by mutual and legal agreement with a well owner has authority to act in his or her behalf in executing applications for permits. The AGENT may be either general agent or a limited agent to do one particular act.
AQUIFER. A geological formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that will yield usable quantities of water to wells.
BOARD OF HEALTH. The County Board of Health or its official representatives.
CASING. Pipe or tubing constructed of specified materials and having specified dimensions and weights, that is installed in a borehole, during or after completion of the borehole, to support the side of the hole and thereby prevent caving, to allow completion of a well, to prevent formation material from entering the well, to prevent the loss of drilling fluids into permeable formations, and to prevent entry of undesirable water.
CONSOLIDATED ROCK. Rock that is firm and coherent, solidified, or cemented and that has not been decomposed by weathering. Examples are granite, gneiss, limestone, slate, or sandstone.
CONTAMINATION. The presence of any foreign substance (organic, inorganic, radiological, or biological) in water which tends to degrade its quality so as to constitute a hazard or impair the usefulness of the water.
DOMESTIC USE. Use of water for drinking, bathing, household purposes, livestock, or gardens.
GROUT. Include the following.
(1) CONCRETE GROUT. A mixture of not more than two parts gravel to one part cement and not more than six gallons of clear water per 95 pound bag of portland cement. One hundred percent of the gravel must pass through a one-half inch mesh screen.
(2) NEAT CEMENT GROUT. A mixture of not more than six gallons of clear water to one 95 pound bag of portland cement. Up to 5%, by weight, of bentonite clay may be used to improve flow and reduce shrinkage.
(3) SAND CEMENT GROUT. A mixture of not more than two parts sand and one part cement and not more than six gallons of clear water per 95 pound bag of portland cement.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The County Health Department, Environmental Health Section.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE. An authorized agent of the County Health Department, Environmental Health Section.
HEALTH DIRECTOR. The Director of the County Health Department.
INSTALLING PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT. Placing and preparing pumps and pumping equipment for operation, including all construction involved in making entrances to the well and establishing wells.
LINER PIPE. Pipe that is installed inside a completed and cased well for the purpose of sealing off undesirable water or for repairing ruptured or punctured casing or screens.
NON-POTABLE MINERALIZED WATER. Brackish, saline, or other water containing minerals of such quantity or type as to render the water unsafe, harmful, or generally unsuitable for domestic use.
OWNER. Any person who holds the fee or other ownership rights in the well being constructed. A well is real property and its construction on land creates a presumption that the OWNER of the land also owns the well.
PERMIT. A written permit issued by the Health Department permitting the construction or repair of any well, as defined in this chapter.
PERSON. Any person, including individuals, firms, partnerships, associations, public or private institutions, municipalities, or political subdivisions, governmental agencies, or private or public, corporations organized or existing under the laws of this state or of any other state or country.
POLLUTED WATER. Water containing organic or other contaminants of such type and quantity as to render it unsafe, harmful, or unsuitable for human consumption.
PRIVATE WELL WATER SUPPLY. Any water supply furnishing potable water to one residence or business that is owner occupied, except where either might furnish water to persons on a regular basis who are not members of the household or immediate family.
PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM. A system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption if such system has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM is either a community water system or a non-community water system.
(1) COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM. A public water system which serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents.
(2) NON-COMMUNITY WATER SYSTEM. A public water system which is not a community water system.
PUMPS AND PUMPING EQUIPMENT. The well seal and any other equipment or materials used or intended to be used for withdrawing or obtaining ground water.
REPAIR. Work involved in deepening or changing depths, reaming, sealing, installing, perforating, screening or cleaning, acidizing, or redeveloping a well excavation or any other work which results in breaking or opening the well seal.
UNCONSOLIDATED ROCK FORMATION. Those rock formations that are not solid (i.e., sand, clay, shell, saprolite, or decaying rock).
WATER SUPPLY. Any source of ground water.
WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM. Pump and pipe used in connection with or pertaining to the operation of a water supply, including pumps, pipes, pressure tanks, and fittings.
WELL. Any excavation that: is cored, bored, drilled, jetted, dug, or otherwise constructed for the purpose of locating, testing, or withdrawing ground water; constructed for evaluating, testing, developing, draining, or recharging any ground water reservoirs or aquifers; or that may control, divert, or otherwise cause the movement of water from or into any aquifer.
WELL CAPACITY. The maximum quantity of water that a well will yield continuously.
WELL CONSTRUCTION. Includes all acts necessary to construct wells for any intended use, including the location and excavation of the well, placement of casings, grouting, screens, and fittings, development, and testing.
WELL DRILLER, DRILLER, OR WATER-WELL CONTRACTOR. Any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of constructing wells.
WELL HEAD. The upper terminal of the well including adapters, ports, valves, seals, and other attachments.
WELL SEAL. An approved arrangement or device used to cap a well or to establish and maintain a junction between the casing or curbing of a well and the piping or equipment installed therein, the purpose or function of which is to prevent pollutants from entering the well at the upper terminal.
(Ord. passed 7-23-1984)