Water Well Ordinance r
A e. cor
Hamilton County Health Department
940 N. 10th Street
Phone 773-0132
NOBLESVILLE, INDIANA 46060
November 13, 1991
To: All Planning Departments and Building Commissioners
From: Barry McNulty, Chief Sanitarian Tflf-
Re: Water Well Ordinance
Effective January 1, 1992, an Ordinance regulating all
private water well construction and maintenance in Hamilton
County begins.
As we have cooperated in the past with septic permits, I am
requesting that all applicants not served by a public water
supply present you with a Well Construction Permit before
your department issues a Building Permit.
I have enclosed a copy of the ordinance for you records. A
special note is that geothermal wells are also included
under this ordinance.
As always, I appreciate your cooperation and help in
protecting the Public Health and the citizens of Hamilton
County.
ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING r 5 4
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR WELL AND WATER SUPPLY SYSTEMS
PURPOSE: An ordinance regulating the installation, construction and
maintenance of wells, pumps and geothermal heat pump systems within
Hamilton County as necessary for the protection of the Public
Health, Safety, and Welfare of the citizens of Hamilton County, IN.
1.0 PERMITS AND INSPECTION:
a) Before commencement of construction of a well or geo—
thermal heat pump system, the owner or agent shall
obtain a written permit signed by the Health Officer.
No person shall perform any work on such project until
such permit is obtained. The application for such per—
mit shall be made on forms provided by the Hamilton
County Health Officer. Such application shall contain
any plans, specifications and other information as
deemed necessary by the Health Officer.
b) Permits shall be valid for one year after date of
issue.
c) In emergency situations, the applicant for the well
permit shall notify the Health Officer of pending
installation and obtain a permit within the next
scheduled work day.
d) A permit inspection fee of the amount specified in the
Fee Schedule Ordinance of Hamilton County shall be paid
to the Hamilton County Health Department at' such time
as the permit is issued.
e) Before the installation of any pump or facilities to
convey water from a well, including pitless adaptors,
well seal, well houses, or connection piping.constr—
ucted as part of a private water supply built under the
provisions of this ordinance, the owner or agent shall
obtain a written permit signed by the Health Officer.
No person shall perform any work on such project until
such permit is obtained. The application for the per—
mit shall be made on forms provided by the Hamilton
County Health Officer. Such application shall contain
any plans, specifications and any other information as
deemed necessary by the Health Officer.
f) Permits shall be valid for one year after the date of
issue.
g) In an Emergency situation, the applicant for the pump
permit shall notify the Health Officer of pending
installation and obtain a permit within the next
scheduled working day.
h) A permit inspection fee of the amount specified in the
Fee Schedule Ordinance of Hamilton County shall be paid
to the Hamilton County Health Department at such time
as the permit is issued.
i) Iin Health (Officer shall be allowed Lo inspect the well
construction and pump installation at any stage of con-
struction or installation. In any event, the applicant
shall notify the Health Officer when the work is com-
pleted or of his intention to abandon the well, all in
r compliance with this ordinance. The inspection shall
be made within two (2) working days of receipt of
notice to the Health Officer.
J) A separate permit shall be required for the install-
ation of an open -loop geothermal return well.
2.0 CONSTRUCTION OF WELLS AND OPEN -LOOP RETURN WELLS:
The construction of wells and open -loop geothermal
return wells must be installed in accordance with Title
310 IAC 16 and as hereafter amended- Rules Concerning
Regulation of Water Well Drilling.
3.0 ABANDONMENT OF WELLS AND OPEN -LOOP RETURN WELLS:
The abandonment of wells and open -loop geothermal
return wells must conform to the standards out-
lined in Title 310 IAC 16 and as hereafter amended-
Rules Concerning the Regulation of Water Well Drilling.
a) A licensed well driller or a professional engineer must
certify that a well has been properly abandoned. This
certification must be submitted to the Hamilton County
Health Officer for recording purposes. A Proper Well
Abandonment Statement will be issued upon recording of
such information as required by the Health _0.fficer.
4.0 POWERS FOR INSPECTION AND ENFORCEMENT:
a) The Health Officer or his agent, bearing proper
credentials and identification, shall be permitted to
enter upon all properties at proper times for the pur-
pose of inspection, and /or monitoring necessary to
carry out the provisions of this ordinance.
b) Whenever the Health Officer determines that there are
reasonable grounds to believe that there has been a
violation of any provision of this ordinance, he shall
give notice to such alleged violations to the person or
persons responsible therefore, as hereinafter provided.
Such notice shall:
1) Be put in writing.
2) Include a statement of reasons why it is being
issued.
3) Allow a reasonable time for the performance of
any act it requires.
4) Be served upon the owner or his agent, or the
occupant, as the,case may require, provided
that such notice shall be deemed to be properly
served upon such owner or agent, or upon him
personally or by certified mail.
5.0 PENALTIES:
a) Any person, firm or corporation who shall" violate any
provisions of this ordinance shall be served wi Lh
notice of the violation. The Health Officer may then
file violations of this code by infor•mationHand summons
on forms provided by the Hamilton County Board of
Health.
r•.
b) Any person, firm or corporation upon being found to
have violated the provisions of this ordinance shall be
punished for the first offense by a fine of not more
than five hundred dollars for the second
offense of not more than one thousand dollars($1000.00);
and for the third and subsequent offenses by a fine of
not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500.00).
Each day of violation shall constitute a distinct and
separate violation.
c) Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision
of this ordinance shall become liable to the Hamilton
County .Health Department for any expense, loss, or
damage occurred by reason of the violation and
abatement.
6.0 REPEALER:
a) All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict
herewith are hereby repealed.
b) The invalidity of any section, clause, sentence, or
provision of this ordinance shall not affect the
validity of any other part of this ordinance.
7.0 EFFECTIVE DATE:
The inspection and permit requirements will not be
effective until January 1, 1992. The construction and
abandonment requirements are effective immediately.
Passed and adopted by the Hamilton
County Board of Commissioners on
this J !Ez day of
President
fi
4 111
Member /I1
Member
THE DULY ELECTED, qualified and acting Board of Commissioners of
Hamilton County,IN.
ATTEST:
/90 6-1- 1124—..„
Count Au
Y itor