The purpose of this article is to prevent contamination
of groundwater and to protect public health, safety, and welfare by
assuring that unused, unsafe or noncomplying wells, or wells which
may serve as conduits for contamination, or wells which may be illegally
cross-connected to the municipal water system, are properly abandoned.
This article applies to all wells located on
premises served by the Village of Belgium water utility system.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A well or pump installation which does not comply with the
provisions of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code, in effect at the time the
well was constructed, a contamination source was installed, the pump
was installed or work was done on either the well or pump installation.
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97]
The pump and related equipment used for withdrawing water
from a well, including the discharge piping, the underground connections,
pitless adapters, pressure tanks, pits, sampling faucets and well
seals or caps.
A well or pump installation which produces water which is
bacteriologically contaminated or contaminated with substances exceeding
the standards of Ch. NR 809 or 812, Wis. Adm. Code, or for which a
health advisory has been issued by the Department of Natural Resources.
[Amended 12-5-1994 by Ord. No. 39-94; 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97]
A well or pump installation which is not in use or does not
have a functional pumping system.
An excavation or opening into the ground made by digging,
boring, drilling, driving, or other methods for the purpose of obtaining
groundwater for consumption or other use.
The filling and sealing of a well according to the provisions
of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code.
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97]
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97; 3-8-2010 by Ord. No. 2-10]
All wells located on premises served by the
Village of Belgium water utility system shall be abandoned in accordance
with the terms of this article and Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code, by
July 1, 1991, or no later than one year from the date of connection
to the Village's water utility system, whichever occurs last, unless
a well operation permit has been obtained by the well owner from the
Village Clerk.
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97; 3-8-2010 by Ord. No.
2-10]
The Village Clerk may grant a permit to a private
well owner to operate a well for a period not to exceed five years
providing the conditions of this article are met. An owner may request
renewal of a well operation permit by submitting information verifying
that the conditions of this article are met. The Village, or its agent,
may conduct inspections or have water quality tests conducted at the
applicant's expense to obtain or verify information necessary for
consideration of a permit application or renewal. Permit applications
and renewals shall be made on forms provided by the Village Clerk.
The following conditions must be met for issuance or renewal of a
well operation permit:
A.
The well and pump installation meet or are upgraded
to meet the requirements of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code.
B.
The well construction and pump installation have a
history of producing bacteriologically safe water as evidenced by
at least two samplings taken a minimum of two weeks apart. No exception
to this condition may be made for unsafe wells, unless the Department
of Natural Resources approves, in writing, the continued use of the
well.
C.
There are no cross-connections between the well and
pump installation and the Village's water utility system.
D.
The proposed use of the well and pump installation
can be justified as being necessary in addition to water provided
by the Village's water utility.
[Amended 1-12-2004 by Ord. No. 3-04]
The fee for the initial well operation permit
and each renewal thereof shall be as set by the Village Board. A permit
shall not be issued until the prescribed fee has been paid.
A.
All wells abandoned under the jurisdiction of this
article shall be abandoned according to the procedures and methods
of Ch. NR 812, Wis. Adm. Code. All debris, pump, piping, unsealed
liners and any other obstructions which may interfere with sealing
operations shall be removed prior to abandonment.
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 18-97]
B.
The owner of the well, or the owner's agent, shall
notify the Village Clerk at least 48 hours prior to commencement of
any well abandonment activities. The abandonment of the well shall
be observed by the Water Superintendent.
[Amended 3-8-2010 by Ord. No. 2-10]
C.
An abandonment report form, supplied by the Department
of Natural Resources, shall be submitted by the well owner to the
Village Clerk and the Department of Natural Resources within 10 days
of the completion of the well abandonment.
[Amended 3-8-2010 by Ord. No. 2-10]
[Amended 1-12-2004 by Ord. No. 3-04]
Any well owner violating any provision of this
article shall, upon conviction, be punished by forfeiture of not less
than $25 nor more than $200 and the cost of prosecution. Each day
of violation is a separate offense. If any person fails to comply
with this article for more than 10 days after receiving written notice
of the violation, the Village may impose a penalty and cause the well
abandonment to be performed and the expense to be assessed as a special
tax against the property.
