[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
It shall be unlawful from and after the passage of this Part
for any person to dig, construct or supply any water well, whether
drilled, artesian or dug, in the Township of Northampton, or to make
any alterations or additions to any well in the Township of Northampton,
without first obtaining a permit from the properly designated official
of said Township; and, further provided, that all work shall be done
in strict accordance with the provisions of this Part.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
2.
Approved Comparable Construction. When strict compliance with this
Part appears to be impracticable, the reasons therefor shall be communicated
in writing to Northampton Township for advice and approval of comparable
specifications.
3.
Contract Applicability. Applicable specifications and provisions
of this Part are, by law, a part of any order or agreement, written
or verbal, for the construction or reconstruction of a well or appurtenances
thereto or for the installation of pumping equipment. Construction
or installation shall be deemed complete when all ordinance requirements
or approved comparable specifications are complied with.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
1.
The following basic principles, general in scope and fundamental
in character, shall govern the location, construction or reconstruction
and maintenance of wells, installation and maintenance of pumping
equipment and supervision of well constructors and pumping equipment
installers:
A.
Well Construction. Wells shall be:
(1)
Located in such manner that the well and its surroundings can
be kept in a sanitary condition.
(2)
Adequate in size to permit such construction or reconstruction as may be necessary to provide a safe and adequate water supply. See § 26-304, definitions of "adequate water supply" and "approved."
(3)
Constructed in such manner as to maintain natural protection
against contamination of water-bearing formation and to exclude known
sources of contamination.
B.
Pump Installation. The installation of the pumping equipment shall
be:
(1)
Located in such manner that the pump and its surroundings can
be kept in a sanitary condition.
(2)
Adequate in capacity to supply the required volume of water,
where available, for maintenance of sanitary conditions, all ordinary
domestic purposes and other specified uses.
(3)
Designed to meet the well characteristics, durable in character
and made in such manner that continued operation without priming is
assured at time of installation.
(4)
Made in such manner as to provide adequate protection against
contamination of any character from any surface or subsurface sources.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Where obtainable, the yield of a well or the capacity of
a pump and distribution system sufficient to meet the requirements
which the user has stated are necessary for drinking, culinary and
other purposes for which well water is intended to be used.
The space between two circular objects, one of which surrounds
the other, such as the opening between a drill hole and a casing pipe
or between a casing pipe and a liner pipe.
Sanctioned by Northampton Township, in conformity with applicable
laws and regulations.
Any matter which will render water unsafe for human consumption.
The extent of lowering of the water level in a well when
water flows or is pumped from it.
LOWER DRILL HOLEThat part of the drill hole below the vertical zone of contamination.
UPPER DRILL HOLEThat part of a drill hole, auger hole or excavation established through the vertical zone of contamination.
A well constructed by joining a drive point with a length
of pipe, extended as may be necessary, and driving the assembly into
the ground without a preliminary excavation in excess of 10 feet in
depth.
The permanent point of contact of the ground or artificial
surface with the casing pipe or curbing of the well.
The permanent elevation of the surface of the site of the
well.
The act of causing a rapid flow of water from a well by pumping,
bailing or similar operation.
Water in the zone immediately below the ground surface. It
may include seepage from barnyards, leaching pools and disposal beds
or leakage from sewers, drains and similar sources of contaminated
water.
The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township or any properly
authorized official of Northampton Township who may be designated
to act for the Township by the Board of Supervisors.
Elevation of the surface of the water in a well when water
flows or is pumped from it at a given rate.
Water that is sufficiently free from contamination to be
safe for human ingestion.
When referring to a well, it means that the construction of
the well and the installation of the pumping equipment are such that
the well is effectively protected against entrance of contaminating
matter.
When referring to the surroundings of a well, it means that
the location and surrounding area are free from debris or filth of
any character and not subject to flooding.
A conduit used or intended for conveying sewage or other
wastes.
The continuous yield of a well at a given drawdown expressed
in gallons per minute per foot of drawdown.
That elevation of the surface of the water in a well when
no water flows or is being pumped therefrom.
An approved receptacle in which packing may be compressed
to form a watertight or airtight junction between two objects.
That depth of near-surface formations containing connecting
pore spaces, crevices or similar openings, including artificial channels
such as unprotected wells, through which contaminated water may gain
access to a well or the groundwater body.
Implies cased and grouted construction through firm foundations
like clay or rock. Through granular material like sand or gravel,
it implies that the casing pipe is of approved quality and assembled
watertight.
Includes a dug well, a drilled well and an artesian well.
An approved removable 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 so
as to prevent water from entering the well at the upper terminal.
An outlet at the upper end of the well casing to allow equalization
of air pressure in the well.
The quantity of water per unit of time which may flow or
be pumped from a well at a constant specified drawdown.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
1.
General. Every well shall be located in keeping with the following
principles:
2.
Relation to Pollution Sources. Minimum distances between wells and
sources of contamination shall be in accordance with requirements
of the Department of Health of the County of Bucks.
3.
Relation to Buildings. With respect to buildings, the location of
a well shall be made as follows:
A.
When a well is located adjacent to a building, it shall be located
so that the center line of the well extended vertically will clear
any projection from the building by not less than two feet.
B.
Every well shall be located so that it will be reasonably accessible
with proper equipment for cleaning, treatment, repair, test, inspection
and such other attention as may be necessary.
C.
No well shall be located so that the top thereof will be within the
basement of any building nor under a building having no basement.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
2.
Well Casing Pipe. The minimum standard of quality for casing shall
be new steel or wrought iron equivalent to American Standard Schedule
30 pipe for sizes eight inches and over and Schedule 40 pipe for sizes
under eight inches.
A.
All connections to a well casing and all joints in the casing itself
must be assembled pressure-tight, made up of correctly mated threaded
pipe fittings, welded connections, sanitary well seals or other approved
connections.
B.
Well casing pipe shall be driven or installed so that no injury affecting
the safety of the water supply results.
C.
Upon completion of drilling, the well shall be equipped with a suitable
watertight cap or plug to protect the well from tampering or from
the entrance of foreign matter.
3.
(Also see § 26-307, Subsection 1) Provision for sounding water levels and water-level indicating device.
A.
A well used for domestic purposes shall be equipped with an access
opening extending at least to ground level to permit sounding of water
level in the well. This opening shall be 3/8-inch or larger pipe,
properly sealed with a watertight cap or plug to prevent access of
surface water. This access pipe may be a part of the well venting
system.
B.
A well used for commercial or industrial purposes shall, in addition
to the above, be equipped with an approved water-level indicating
device.
4.
5.
Bored-Type Wells. Construction of this type well shall be subject
to regulations specified by the Board of Supervisors of Northampton
Township at the time of application.
6.
Driven Point Wells. Construction of this type well shall be subject
to regulations specified by the Township at the time application is
made.
7.
Dug-Type Wells. Construction of this type well shall be subject to
regulations specified by the Township at the time of application.
9.
Preparation for Deepening. Any sediment or debris in the bottom of
the dug well shall be removed. The bottom shall be disinfected by
distributing a chlorine solution over the bottom or adding such solution
to water in the well. A concentration of 200 parts per million of
chlorine should be attained for disinfection.
10.
Applicability to Drilled-Type Construction. Deepening construction done by drilling methods shall conform to applicable conditions of Subsection 1 of this section. Existing dug-type and drilled-type wells shall be effectively protected against entrance of surface and near-surface water by extending the casing pipe of the drilled part of the well to the surface and filling the dug part of the well with puddled clay or equally impermeable material.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
2.
Well pits will not be permitted unless approval is obtained from
the Township. To be approved, well pits must be gravity drained by
a pipe of not less than three inches in size.
3.
On offset pump installations in basements, the pump impeller or cylinder
shall be located at an elevation above ground surface or at a height
of two or more feet above the basement floor.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
1.
Alignment. The center line of a drilled or bored well shall not be
out of plumb more than 12 inches per 100 feet of depth.
2.
Caving Protection. When caving or sloughing formation that would
interfere with the proper functioning of well or the pumping equipment
are encountered, entrance of foreign material shall be prevented by
means of liner pipe, cementing or other approved methods.
3.
Finishing Operations. Upon completing construction or reconstruction
operations, the constructor of the well shall carry out finishing
operations as follows:
A.
Flushing and Testing. Flush the well at a rate at least equal to 200% of the expected pump capacity for a minimum of two hours or until the water discharging is clear and free from sand. During the flushing operation, the amount of drawdown and stability of the yield shall be determined. See §§ 26-302, Subsection 2, and 26-304, definition of "adequate water supply."
B.
Sampling. After completion of well testing, the constructor shall
obtain and deliver to the Township an analysis of a sample of the
well water, which analysis shall have been made by a recognized laboratory
or water testing service. The sample shall have been taken either
by personnel of such laboratory or under conditions prescribed by
such laboratory.
4.
Safe Water. If the results of analysis (see Subsection 3B above) indicate unsafe water in the well, the well constructor shall take such additional measures as approved by the Township to assure a safe water supply. The safety of the water shall be judged by additional sampling and analysis as required by the Township. The cost per analysis is nominal, and all such costs shall be borne by the applicant.
5.
Blasting. The use of explosives for increasing or recovering yield
of any well developed into limestone, granite or quartzite formations,
or of any sandstone well in which casings and liners are not grouted
or in which the diameter of the drill hole is larger than that of
casings or liners above the point of shooting, shall be undertaken
only under permit from the Township. Any person engaged in blasting
shall, in addition thereto, be licensed by the Pennsylvania Department
of Labor and Industry.
6.
Chemical Conditioning. The use of dry ice, detergents, chlorine,
acids or other chemicals in wells for the purpose of increasing or
restoring yield shall be undertaken only under permit from the Township.
7.
Well Construction Report. Within 10 days after completing the construction
or reconstruction of a well, the constructor thereof shall submit
a construction report to the Township upon form furnished by the Township.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
1.
Hand Pump. Every shallow-well-type hand pump and every deep-well-type hand pump head, stand or similar device shall be so constructed that no unprotected opening connecting with the interior of the pump exists. The spout shall be of the closed type (see Subsection 4). A hand pump shall be mounted firmly to the well casing pipe or pump mounting sleeve in such manner as to effectively seal the top of the casing or sleeve.
2.
Power-Driven Pump. Any power-driven pump located over the well shall be mounted on the well casing, a pump foundation or a pump stand in such manner as to effectively seal the top of the well. In case the pump unit is not located over the well and the pump delivery or suction pipe emerges from the top thereof, a watertight expanding or equivalent seal shall be provided between the well casing and the piping. A similar seal shall be provided at the terminal of a conduit containing suction, submersible or jet pump piping. See § 26-306, Subsection 2A, and Subsection 5 of this section. (Note: On aboveground pump installations, the extension of the well casing at least one inch into the pump base will be considered an effective seal, provided the pump base is mounted on a base plate or foundation in such manner as to exclude entrance of insects into the well and the elevation at the top of the well is at least two feet above any known floodwater level.)
3.
Pump House. The structure housing a power-driven pump shall be constructed
so as to permit access to the pump for maintenance and repair work.
The pump house floor shall be constructed of concrete. On aboveground
installations, the surface thereof shall be located not less than
four inches above the established ground surface.
4.
Protection Against Freezing. The pump, discharge line and accessory
equipment shall be protected against freezing by insulation of structure
and piping and installation of dependable heating facilities, preferably
of a thermostatically controlled type.
5.
Well Vent. Any well vent opening shall be piped watertight to a point
not less than 24 inches above any known floodwater level but at least
12 inches above the top of the well. Such vent opening and extension
thereof shall be not less than 1/4 inch in diameter, the extension
pipe to be firmly attached. The terminal of the vent pipe shall be
shielded and screened so as to prevent entrance of foreign matter.
Any opening in a pump base shall be sealed watertight.
6.
Sampling Faucet. In all pressure water systems, provision shall be
made for collection of water samples by installation of a faucet or
pet cock at the discharge side of the pump.
7.
Final Sampling. Upon completing the installation of the pump equipment, the installer thereof shall furnish to the Township an analysis of a sample of the well water, which analysis shall have been made by a recognized laboratory or water testing service. The sample shall have been taken either by personnel of such laboratory or under conditions prescribed by such laboratory. The Township reserves the further right to, in addition thereto, require such installer to furnish a sample of water taken from the sampling faucet (see Subsection 4 above) and to have its own analysis made of such water at the cost of the applicant.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
No well shall be drilled nor any existing well used for the
purpose of disposal of domestic or industrial waste.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
1.
Sealing of Abandoned Wells. The owner of any well shall, upon abandonment of any existing well or test hole, effectively seal and fill such well or test hole in accordance with the requirements of Subsections 2 and 3 hereof. Any debris or obstructions that may interfere with proper sealing of the well or test hole must first be removed.
2.
Dug or Bored Wells. Any lining material shall be removed at least
down to the existing water level. Crushed stone not exceeding 1 1/2
inches in size and/or earth free of debris shall be used to pack the
excavation up to existing water level. A layer of puddled clay or
concrete at least five feet thick shall be placed above the bottom
fill. The remainder of the excavation shall be filled with earth free
of debris and large stones. The final fill must be well tamped in
layers not exceeding 18 inches in thickness.
3.
Drilled Wells (Cased). The bottom portion of the well in the water-bearing
stratum shall be filled with clean gravel or 3/4-inch crushed stone
for a depth of at least five feet but not exceeding 15 feet. In no
event shall the bottom fill extend into the casing. The remainder
of the well shall be sealed with cement grout or with alternate layers
of cement grout and gravel or 3/4-inch crushed stone. The final layer
shall be cement grout and shall be at least 20 feet deep measured
from the top of the casing. The final layer of grout shall be inserted
through a fill pipe extending into the casing and removed as the grout
fill is installed or shall be thoroughly rodded. If the top of the
well casing terminates below existing grade, the excavation to the
top of the casing shall be filled with earth free of debris and large
stones and well tamped in place.
4.
Report to Township. A report shall be made to the Township by the
owner of every well which has been abandoned or temporarily removed
from service. Such report shall include a detailed description of
location, construction and geologic features and method of sealing.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962; as amended by Ord. 80, 12/9/1964, § 1]
1.
The Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township shall have the responsibility
for the enforcement of this Part. Said Township shall have the management
and control of well permits, applications and certificates.
2.
No well contractor shall be issued a well permit until he has filed
with the Township a letter stating that he is, or intends to participate,
in the well-drilling business in Northampton Township.
3.
No certificate of compliance shall be issued until the applicant
for said certificate has filed with the Township an application for
a permit to drill well and a well record form. Said application and
record shall be completely filled out and the Township may reject
any application or record not completely filled out.
4.
Any person willfully filing misinformation in completing of forms
will be subject to prosecution under existing statutes of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962]
The Board of Supervisors shall, from time to time, by resolution,
establish the fees to be charged for the issuance of permits required
under the provisions of this Part. No permit required under the provisions
of this Part shall be issued until the fees prescribed by such resolution
shall be paid in full.
[Ord. 53, 4/11/1962; as amended by Ord. 211, 5/9/1984, § 135-14; by Ord. 285, 2/22/1989; and by Ord. 561, 4/25/2012]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision
of this Part or who shall file to comply therewith or with any of
the requirements thereof or who shall construct, drill, alter or repair
any well in violation of this Part, upon conviction thereof in an
action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner provided
for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules
of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more
than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and
costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that
a violation of this Part continues or each section of this Part which
shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.
