Abandoned water wells shall mean a water well determined by the city to be a well:

(a)   The use of which has been permanently discontinued; or

(b)   Pumping equipment has been permanently removed; or

(c)   Is in such a state of disrepair that it cannot be used to supply water, or it has the potential for transmitting surface contaminants into the aquifer or both; or

(d)   Poses potential health and safety hazards; or

(e)   Is in such a condition it cannot be placed in active or inactive status.

(Ord. 376, Sec. 1; Code 2004)

All water wells abandoned by the landowner on or after June 1, 1993, and all water wells that were abandoned prior to June 1, 1993, which pose a threat to groundwater supplies, shall be plugged or caused to be plugged by the landowner. In all cases, the landowner shall perform the following as minimum requirements for plugging abandoned wells:

(a)   The casing shall be cut of three (3) feet below ground surface and removed.

(b)   All wells shall be plugged from bottom to top using volumes of material equaling at least the inside volume of the well.

(c)   Plugging top of well:

(1)   For cased wells a grout plug shall be placed from six (6) to three (3) feet below ground surface;

(2)   For dug wells, the lining material shall be removed to at least five (5) feet below ground surface, and then sealed at five (5) feet with a minimum of six (6) inches of concrete or other materials approved by the city. Compacted surface silts and clays shall be placed over the concrete seal to ground surface.

(Ord. 376, Sec. 2; Code 2004)

Landowners may obtain the city’s written approval to maintain wells in an inactive status rather than being plugged if the landowner can present evidence to the city as to the condition of the well and as to the landowner’s intention to use the well in the future. As evidence of intentions, the owner shall be responsible for properly maintaining the well in such a way that:

(a)   The well and the annular space between the hole and the casing shall have no defects that will permit the entrance of surface water or vertical movement of subsurface water into the well;

(b)   The well is clearly marked and is not a safety hazard;

(c)   The top of the well is securely capped in a watertight manner and is adequately maintained in such a manner as to prevent easy entry by other than the landowner;

(d)   The area surrounding the well shall be protected from any potential sources of contamination within a 50-foot radius.

(e)   If the pump, motor or both, have been removed for repair, replacement, etc., the well shall be maintained to prevent injury to people and to prevent the entrance of any contaminant or other foreign material;

(f)   The well shall not be used for disposal or injection of trash, garbage, sewage, wastewater or storm runoff; and

(g)   The well shall be easily accessible to routine maintenance and periodic inspection.

The landowner shall notify the city of any change in the status of the well.

(Ord. 376; Code 2004)