§ 180-4. Design standards.  


Latest version.
  • The following standards shall apply for water supplies:
    A. 
    Drilled and driven wells; location. Drilled and driven wells shall be located at a point free from flooding and at the following minimum distances to existing or possible future sources of pollution:
    Source of Pollution
    Minimum Distance
    Storm drains
    25 feet
    Drains carrying domestic sewage or industrial wastes
    50 feet
    Septic or holding tanks
    50 feet
    Surface/subsurface sewage disposal fields
    100 feet
    Sewage seepage pits, cesspools
    100 feet
    Privies
    50 feet
    Fuel Tanks
    as approved
    Other (ditches, streams, barnyards, rainwater pits, etc.)
    as approved
    Additional Location Restrictions Driveways
    10 feet
    Principal structure/dwelling
    20 feet
    Property lines
    10 feet
    B. 
    Construction.
    (1) 
    Source. The source of supply shall be from a water-bearing formation drawn not less than 100 feet from the ground surface, with at least 20 feet of properly grouted well casing and from no formation which is subject to pollution.
    (2) 
    Casing. The well shall have a watertight and durable wrought-iron, steel or other type of approved casing with a nominal thickness of 3/16 (.1875) inches and 65/8 inches, outside diameter. The sections shall be joined together by threaded couplings, joints, welding or any other watertight approved joint or coupling. The casing shall be carried to a minimum depth of 20 feet from the finished grade and in any case shall be extended 10 feet into bedrock or other impervious strata. Driven wells shall be provided with a drive shoe or other effective casing seal.
    (a) 
    An annular space shall be provided between the well casing and the earth formation of a radius at least 11/2 inches greater than the casing radius, excluding coupling for internal pressure grouting or 11/2 inches greater than the casing radius, excluding coupling for external grouting. The annular space shall be completely filled with impervious cement grout or equivalent sealing material from bottom of the casing to within five feet of the ground surface. External grouting shall be accomplished utilizing a tremie pipe and grout pump to force out any standing water on the outside of the well casing.
    (b) 
    The casing shall be sealed effectively against entrance of water from water-bearing formations, which are subject to pollution, through which the casing may pass. If casings of smaller diameter are used in the lower portions of the well, effective watertight seals shall be provided between the casings where they telescope. In such instances, sections of casing shall telescope for a minimum distance of four feet.
    (c) 
    The top of the well casing shall extend a minimum of eight inches to 12 inches above the finished grade of the lot so that contaminated water or other substances cannot enter the well through the annular opening at the top of the well casing, wall or pipe sleeve.
    (3) 
    Well covers.
    (a) 
    Every potable water well shall be equipped with an overlapping cover at the top of the well casing or pipe sleeve. Covers shall extend downward at least two inches over the outside of the well casing or wall. All well caps shall indicate well driller's name, depth of well and depth of casing.
    (b) 
    Where pump sections or discharge lines enter or leave a well through the side of the casing, the circle of contact shall be watertight. The use of plastic/nylon adapters for this purpose is not acceptable. A brass pitless adapter with brass connectors or equivalent are required.
    (c) 
    Any restoration/repair of wells with casing terminating below grade shall be raised above grade to eight inches to 12 inches minimum.
    (d) 
    Electrical wiring for well pumps shall be encased in conduit from the bottom of the water supply line trench to the well cap.
    (4) 
    Drainage.
    (a) 
    All potable water wells and springs shall be constructed so that surface drainage will be diverted away from the well or spring.
    (5) 
    Pumping equipment.
    (a) 
    All pumps installed in wells drilled to a depth greater than 300 feet, but not to exceed 450 feet shall be installed with 200 pound per square inch plastic pipe. Well depths exceeding 450 feet shall have pumps installed with Schedule 80 PVC threaded pipe or galvanized steel pipe to support the increased pumping pressure required for deeper wells. The minimum acceptable pressure rating on plastic pipe is 160 pounds per square inch, regardless of water supply depth.
    (6) 
    Pump enclosure.
    (a) 
    Any pump room or any enclosure around a well pump shall be drained and protected from freezing by heating or other approved means. Where pumps are installed in basements, they shall be mounted on a block or shelf not less than 18 inches above the basement floor. Well pits shall be prohibited.
    C. 
    Flow requirements. This chapter places no restrictions on quantity of water. The acceptability of water quantity is the sole responsibility of the property owner.
    D. 
    Well certification.
    (1) 
    Driller's report. A report for each well shall be prepared by the driller and shall be submitted to Bern Township for evaluation and approval. The well report shall contain the following pertinent information:
    Owner of Property
    Date of Completion
    Depth of Well
    Well Driller
    Type and Size of Casing
    Type of Test Pump Used
    Address and Lot Number
    Depth of Casing
    Static Water Level
    Yield in Gals/Min.
    Grouting Certificate
    Pump Output-Gals/min.
    (2) 
    Water quality: Subsequent to house construction, but prior to or concurrent with the request for occupancy the owner/contractor shall initiate appropriate action to have the on-site water supply tested by a certified laboratory, then provide to the Bern Township a laboratory report containing the following information:
    Laboratory Test
    Maximum Contaminant Level
    Total Coliform
    0*
    Fecal Coliform
    0*
    Iron
    .3 mg/l**
    Nitrates
    10 mg/l*
    Hardness: equivalent calcium carbonates
    150 mg/l**
    *
    **
    Primary Mandatory Standard
    Secondary Recommended Range without Pretreatment
    E. 
    Dug wells. No new dug wells will be permitted in Bern Township due to the great danger of pollution and unreliability of water supply.
    F. 
    Springs. This section of the specification is to be used for the reconstruction of existing springs only. Before rehabilitation shall begin on an existing spring, a report shall be made to determine the advisability of said reconstruction, which shall include as a minimum, quality and quantity of water. Springs for new construction are not considered an adequate water supply and will not be considered as valid for the issuance of a building permit. Reconstructed springs shall be completely enclosed by walls and a cover of reinforced concrete or equally durable watertight material. The cover shall have a firm foundation so as to effectively prevent settling. The uphill wall shall be so constructed as to prevent entrance of surface water. Where manhole covers are used, the manhole shall be at least 24 inches in diameter. It shall extend at least three inches above the surrounding ground surface and be covered by an impervious durable cover of concrete, steel or equivalent material which overlaps the manhole vertically by at least two inches. The manhole cover shall be effectively secured to the manhole by bolting, locking or equivalent means and shall be kept so secured.
    G. 
    Abandoned water supplies. Wells, springs, cisterns and water storage tanks, which are no longer in use shall be removed, filled or otherwise maintained in a condition such as to prevent access by unauthorized persons or animals to prevent accidental injury and to effectively prevent pollution of groundwater. Abandoned wells shall be completely filled with cement or equal impervious material. Wells and springs shall not be used for the disposal of liquid, gaseous and/or solid wastes.
    H. 
    Water service.
    (1) 
    Size of water service pipe. The minimum diameter of water service pipe shall be 3/4 inch.
    (2) 
    Separation of water service and building. Water service pipe shall be installed 12 inches above sewer drains. See § P-1502.2 in BOCA Plumbing Code for specific requirements.