Wayne County’s Environmental Health Department is gearing up to enforce a new state law requiring counties to enforce stringent permitting procedures governing water supplies from private wells as well as irrigation wells. The requirements are to ensure that the well does not contaminate ground water,” explained Kevin Whitley, director of Wayne County’s Environmental Health Department.
“Any well is a potential conduit for contamination into our water supply, so it is logical to include irrigation wells in the ordinance to protect the resource.”
Whitley said that developers use the county water system so they can have smaller lot sizes. “The county doesn’t allow a septic system and a water supply well on a lot smaller than 20,000 square feet,” he said. “ Irrigation wells are installed on lots less than 20,000 square feet and may not meet all setbacks.”
Whitley said that the well driller may meet the setback for the lot’s septic system but not for the neighbors. “So we have to consider how improperly placed irrigation wells could affect the septic system repair area in the future,” Whitley said.
The new rules require the county to issue a permit showing the well location and operations permit when the well is inspected. Three site visits are required during the permitting process, which include:
Locating the well site and making sure it meets all setback requirements.
Inspecting grout around the well casing during installation.
Inspecting final well head construction (wiring, seals and concrete pad around casing) and sampling the well for testing.
We sample for numerous minerals or chemicals, such as fecal, cholorform, or inorganics like calcium or magnesium,” Whitley said. The state of North Carolina has passed legislation that requires all counties to have a private drinking supply well rule by 2008. “Our local ordinance mirrors that of the state,” Whitley said. “And we passed it before the July 1, 2008 deadline in order to take advantage of a $40,000 incentive grant from the state.”
Wayne County charges $175 for a well permit, which is the same fee it charges for a septic permit. State records indicate that last year less than 50 private wells were installed in the county.
Wayne County’s Environmental Health Department is gearing up to enforce a new state law requiring counties to enforce stringent permitting procedures governing water supplies from private wells as well as irrigation wells. The requirements are to ensure that the well does not contaminate ground water,” explained Kevin Whitley, director of Wayne County’s Environmental Health Department.