§ 26-76. Prerequisites to establishment of wells and private water systems.

(a)

Wells as only source of potable water. No well or private water system shall be established to serve as the only source of potable water until application for a permit therefor shall have first been made and approval thereof shall have been obtained from the county board of health and the mayor and council. Upon approval, all standards and recommendations of the state department of human resources shall apply.

(b)

Wells in addition to potable water source. Where the city's public water system provides potable water, private wells may not be established for potable water purposes, but may be established for other specific purposes.

(c)

Guidelines. The following guidelines shall govern the application for and approval of a permit to drill or dig a private well.

(1)

A building permit to drill or dig a private well shall be applied for and, upon approval, issued.

(2)

In addition to a building permit, electrical and plumbing permits shall be required. Costs of these permits shall be as established from time to time by the mayor and council.

(3)

A private well shall be considered an accessory use as defined by the zoning ordinance of the city and shall meet all location requirements.

(4)

Well construction shall comply with state department of human resources recommendations.

(5)

An approved backflow preventer shall be installed at the water meter on the customer side at the customer's expense.

(6)

The water system fed by the well shall not be connected to the city's system at any time. The principal user of the property shall continue to use the city's water system as its only source of potable water. The property owner is directly responsible for the prevention of any crossover connection.

(7)

Water from the well system shall not be discharged into the city's sanitary sewerage system.

(8)

Each well system shall be made available for immediate inspection by the city at any time and without prior notice.

(Code 1985, § 5-1-12; Code 2004, § 52.12; Ord. No. 265, 5-10-1982)