(A) Water wells. Except as otherwise herein provided, the location, construction, modification, repair, and abandonment of water wells, and the installation of water well pumps, shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Water Well Construction Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 920), and the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 925), which are hereby made part of this chapter by reference. Copies of the said regulations shall be available in the office of the Health Authority. Wells that are abandoned shall be sealed in a manner prescribed by the Illinois Water Well Construction Code.
(B) Surface water supplies. All water systems which receive their source of water from ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, or other surface collectors of water shall be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health Source Water Treatment Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 930).
(C) Cisterns. Cisterns shall not be used for a water supply except where adequate ground water resources are not available. (Cistern water and surface water supplies shall receive treatment in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health Surface Source Water Treatment Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 930).
(D) Closed loop wells. All closed loop or open loop geothermal wells shall be constructed by contractors meeting all applicable registration and certification requirements within the State of Illinois.
(E) Abandoned wells. Wells that are not being used for their intended purpose and/or are in a state of disrepair as to present an endangerment to the underground aquifer must be properly sealed in a manner prescribed by the Illinois Water Well Construction Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 920). Abandoned well sealing activities must be inspected by the Health Authority. A permit application and the applicable fee (see Appendix A) shall be submitted for each well abandonment or for each closed loop well system abandonment (up to ten wells). The appropriate well abandonment documentation must be submitted by a licensed well contractor within 30 days following the well abandonment.
(F) Temporary well seals. A well may be placed into a state of temporary abandonment under the written approval of the Health Authority. Wells approved for temporary abandonment must have the pump and drop pipe removed, the water line from the building to the well cut off and capped, be disinfected, and have either a plastic cap glued to the casing or be welded shut depending on construction. The casing must then be painted a conspicuous color and protected from damage. Wells not meeting current well construction and location requirements will not be considered for temporary abandonment. A well may be kept in a state of temporary abandonment for no longer than 12 months. An extension of 12 additional months may be approved if a date can be provided in writing when the well will be placed back into service.
(G) Existing wells. Any well being used which is not compliant with current local and state requirements may remain in use until work is required to maintain acceptable operation, at which time it must be brought into compliance. Buried well seals must be eliminated and a pitless well adapter installed at such a time when the buried seal is accessed for any reason. Pit wells must be eliminated and the well brought into compliance at such a time as the well pit indicates water inundation.
(H) Homeowner well abandonment. An individual who is not a licensed well contractor may engage in well sealing activities in accordance with division (E) of this section provided the well or wells are not part of a closed loop well system and provided the well is located on land which is owned or leased by such individual and is used by such individual for farming purposes or as such individual's place of abode, provided a written request is made to the Health Authority prior to commencement of well abandonment indicating acceptable methodology. Abandoned well sealing activities must be inspected by the Health Authority. A permit application and the applicable fee (see Appendix A) shall be submitted for each well abandonment. The appropriate well abandonment documentation must be submitted within 30 days following the well abandonment.
(I) Supplemental wells. Construction of supplemental wells shall not be approved on property connected to a community water supply except as approved by the operator of the community water supply. The appropriate back flow prevention device or check valve must be installed and inspected by a licensed plumbing professional who is certified for such an inspection in accordance with the Illinois State Plumbing code.
(J) Dewatering wells. Wells designed with the intended purpose of groundwater diversion shall be constructed to industry standards and permitted, either by IEPA, or the Health Authority, as such. The applicable permit fee shall apply for each well constructed (see Appendix A). Abandoned dewatering wells shall be handled in a manner consistent with division (E) of this section.
(K) Groundwater ordinances reviewed for use as environmental institutional controls. When a well is proposed to be installed within an area included in a groundwater ordinance reviewed for use as environmental institutional controls listed on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's website, the requirements of the groundwater ordinance will take precedent.
(1980 Code, § 53.05) (Ord. 09-291, adopted 9-17-2009; Ord. 12-327, adopted 10-18-2012; Ord. 15-49, adopted 2-19-2015)