Science of Water : Concepts and Applications

All about Water 35
WELL SYSTEMS
The most common method for withdrawing groundwater is to penetrate the aquifer with a vertical
well, then pump the water up to the surface.
In the past, when someone wanted a well, they simply dug (or hired someone to dig) and hoped
(gambled) that they would fi nd water in a quantity suitable for their needs. Today, in most locations
in the United States, for example, developing a well supply usually involves a more complicated
step-by-step process.
Local, state, and federal requirements specify the actual requirements for development of a well
supply in the United States. The standard sequence for developing a well supply generally involves
a seven-step process. This process includes:
Step 1: Application—Depending on the location, fi lling out and submitting an application (to the
applicable authorities) to develop a well supply is standard procedure.
Step 2: Well site approval—Once the application has been made, local authorities check various
local geological and other records to ensure that the siting of the proposed well coincides with mandated
guidelines for approval.
Step 3: Well drilling—The well is then drilled.
Step 4: Preliminary engineering report—After the well is drilled and the results documented, a preliminary
engineering report is prepared on the suitability of the site to serve as a water source. This
procedure involves performing a pump test to determine if the well can supply the required amount
of water. The well is generally pumped for at least 6 h at a rate equal to or greater than the desired
yield. A stabilized drawdown should be obtained at that rate and the original static level should be
recovered within 24 h after pumping stops. During this test period, samples are taken and tested for
bacteriological and chemical quality.
Step 5: Submission of documents for review and approval—The application and test results are
submitted to an authorized reviewing authority that determines if the well site meets approval
criteria.
Step 6: Construction permit—If the site is approved, a construction permit is issued.
Step 7: Operation permit—When the well is ready for use, an operation permit is issued.
WELL SITE REQUIREMENTS
To protect the groundwater source and provide high-quality safe water, the waterworks industry has
developed standards and specifi cations for wells. The following listing includes industry standards
and practices, as well as those items included in the State Department of Environmental Compliance
regulations, for example.
√ Note: Check with your local regulatory authorities to determine well site requirements.
1. Minimum well lot requirements
a. 50 ft from well to all property lines
b. All-weather access road provided
c. Lot graded to divert surface runoff
d. Recorded well plat and dedication document
2. Minimum well location requirements
a. At least 50-ft horizontal distance from any actual or potential sources of contamination
involving sewage
b. At least 50-ft horizontal distance from any petroleum or chemical storage tank or pipeline
or similar source of contamination, except where plastic type well casing is used,
the separation distance must be at least 100 ft