The text
Footnotes:
--- (1) --- Cross reference— Floods, ch. 50; utilities, ch. 110.
ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL#
Sec. 66-1. - Water wells; application of state law.#
In any case where the state laws pertaining to water wells are in conflict with this chapter, such state laws shall apply.
Sec. 66-2. - Mining; well drilling.#
(a)
Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Mine means a pit or excavation in the earth, from which coal, metallic ores, or other mineral substances are taken by digging.
Mineral means a substance obtained by mining; any of a class of substances occurring in nature, usually comprising inorganic substances, as quartz or feldspar, of definite chemical composition, but sometimes including aggregation of such substances; certain natural products of organic origin, as asphalt or coal; ore; and any substance neither animal nor plant.
Well means a hole, pit, or shaft sunk in the ground by digging or boring to obtain a supply of water, brine, petroleum, natural gas, or any other type of liquid or gas.
(b)
Mining. It shall be unlawful for any person to start or operate a mine within the city limits for any reason.
(c)
Well drilling. It shall be unlawful for any person to drill a well within the city limits except a well for private water use is allowed as per article II of this chapter. Well drilling for minerals is strictly prohibited.
(Ord. No. 89-2, ch. 4, § 6, 4-25-89)
State Law reference— Minerals, V.T.C.A., Natural Resources Code ch. 53.
Secs. 66-3—66-25. - Reserved.#
ARTICLE II. - PRIVATE WATER WELLS#
Footnotes:
--- (2) --- State Law reference— Water wells, V.T.C.A., Water Code ch. 28; water well drillers, V.T.C.A., Water Code ch. 32.
Sec. 66-26. - Permits.#
(a)
Permits shall be obtained for all water wells and shall be obtained by the licensed water well driller.
(b)
The permit fee for private water wells shall be $100.00.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(1), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-27. - License requirements.#
All water well drillers that work in the city shall have a state license and provide proof of such license to the city.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(2), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-28. - Location.#
(a)
Water wells shall be located a minimum horizontal distance of 50 feet from any watertight sewage and liquid waste collection facility.
(b)
Water wells shall be located a minimum horizontal distance of 150 feet from any concentrated sources of contamination, such as existing or proposed livestock or poultry yards, privies and septic system absorption fields.
(c)
Water wells shall be located at a site not subject to flooding; provided, however, that if a well must be placed in a floodprone area, it shall be completed with a watertight sanitary well seal and steel casing extending a minimum of 24 inches above the known flood level.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(3), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-29. - Standards of completion.#
(a)
The annular space between the borehole and the casing shall be filled from ground level to a depth of not less than ten feet below the land surface or well head with cement slurry. The distances given in section 66-28(a) and (b) may be decreased, provided the total depth of cement slurry is increased by twice the horizontal reduction. In areas of shallow, unconfined groundwater aquifers, the cement need not be placed below the static water level. In areas of shallow, confined groundwater aquifers having artesian head, the cement need not be placed below the top of the waterbearing strata.
(b)
In all wells where plastic casing is used, a concrete slab or sealing block shall be placed above the cement slurry around the well at the ground surface. The slab or block shall extend at least two feet from the well in all directions and have a minimum thickness of four inches and shall be separated from the well casing by a plastic or mastic coating or sleeve to prevent bonding of slab to casing. The surface of the slab shall be sloped to drain away from the well. The top of the casing shall extend a minimum of one foot above the top of the slab.
(c)
In wells where steel casing is used, the casing shall extend a minimum of one foot above the original ground surface. A slab or block is required above the cement slurry except when a pitless adapter is used. Pitless adapters may be used in such wells, provided that:
(1)
The adapter is welded to the casing or fitted with another suitably effective seal; and
(2)
The annular space between the borehole and the casing is filled with cement to a depth not less than 15 feet below the adapter.
(d)
All wells, especially those that are gravel packed, shall be completed so that aquifers or zones containing waters that are known to differ significantly in chemical quality are not allowed to commingle through the borehole-casing annulus or the gravel pack and cause quality degradation of any aquifer or zone.
(e)
The well casing shall be capped or completed in a manner that will prevent pollutants from entering the well.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(4), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-30. - Interconnection.#
(a)
No connection shall be made between private wells and the city public water works system.
(b)
All private wells shall be for outside yard use only.
(c)
Private wells shall not be used for potable water.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(5), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-31. - Backflow and siphonage.#
All water wells shall have an approved check valve or backflow prevention valve installed in order to prevent backflow into the well.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(6), 10-27-87)
Sec. 66-32. - Inspection.#
Inspection shall be made while the well is being drilled, casing being set and upon final construction of the well. These inspections will be made by the city building official or his representative for the city.
(Ord. No. 87-21, ch. 10, § 8(7), 10-27-87)