WELL PERMIT EXCEPTIONS When the Local Health Department cannot issue a well drilling permit without

1
WELL PERMIT EXCEPTIONSWhen the Local Health
Department cannot issue a well drilling permit
without an exception pursuant to RCSA Sec.
19-13-B51m?

• Presented by Florin Ghisa
• Sanitary Engineer 2
• CT DPH - Drinking Water Section
• Tel [phone]
• Fax[phone]
• email florin.ghisa_at_ct.gov
• web www.dph.state.ct.us  

2
The regulation

• The RCSA Section 19-13-B51m prohibits the DOH to
  issue a water supply well permit at residential
  or non-residential premises where the water may
  be used for human consumption, when a community
  water system (CWS) is available within two
  hundred feet from the parcels boundary.

3
The intent of the RCSA Sec. 19-13-B51m

• B51m(b)
• To have individuals, whenever practical, connect
  to an approved CWS and consume their regularly
  monitored water rather than constructing private
  wells into aquifers of unknown quality that are
  rarely tested after their initial approval.
• To prevent individuals currently on CWS from
  indiscriminately terminating their use of the CWS
  service.
• To provide the CWS opportunity for expansion in
  circumstances where CWS has the capability to
  provide adequate quality and quantity of potable
  water.

4

• B51m(c)
• Provide the opportunity to allow a private well
  when the CWS is not adequate.
• Provide new premises with an opportunity to have
  a private well in circumstances when construction
  problems make the connection to CWS unfeasible.

5
Which type of wells does B51m apply to?

• Water supply wells
• RCSA Section 19-13-B51b (1)
• "Water supply well" means an artificial
  excavation, constructed by any method, for the
  purpose of getting water for drinking or other
  domestic use.

6
What is considered an available community water
system?

• A viable CWS with sufficient supply capacity and
  margin of safety to allow for reasonably
  expansion of its service area.
• The 200 feet are measured along a street, alley
  or easement from the closest point of propertys
  boundary to a CWS (i.e. distribution water main).

7

• Pursuant to PHC Section 19-13-B51m (c), the
  Commissioner of Health Services or his or her
  designee may grant an exception to PHC Section
  19-13-B51m(b) under certain conditions.

8
Conditions

• an exception will not adversely affect the purity
  or adequacy of the CWS
• the CWS (within 200 ft or which serves) is unable
  to provide the premises with a pure and adequate
  supply
• construction problems warrant an exception (i.e.
  excessively long service line, elevation, ledge,
  wetlands, etc.)

9
List of required information for a Well Permit
Exception request

• Formal letter of request.
• -the reasons that should justify the exception,
  particularly construction problems. Supporting
  documentation must be submitted along with the
  justification.
• Property address or lot number of request, along
  with applicants name and address.
• Letter from the LHD providing comments and
  recommendations in reference to the well permit
  exception application in cause.
• Letter from the public water supply (PWS) system
  verifying that the exception will not adversely
  affect the purity and adequacy of its water
  supply, nor the service of the system. Also
  indication of their ability to serve.
• Map scale 1" 100' or better

10
Examples

• A school (NTNC) served by a well system requests
  from the LHD a permit to install an irrigation
  well. Does it need a WPX?
• No, if there is no CWS within 200 ft.

11
Examples (contd)

• 2. A commercial nursery served by city water
  requests a permit to install an irrigation well.
  Does it need a WPX?
• Yes. It is a non-residential premise connected
  to a CWS.

12
Examples (contd)

• 3. A condominium complex with 35 units
  requests a permit to drill a well to maintain a
  pond. Does it need a WPX?
• No, it is a residential property and the well
  will only be for outside use.

13
Examples (contd)

• A Subway on a well system requests a permit to
  install a replacement well. Does it need a WPX?
• No, there is no CWS within 200 ft. however, the
  DOH cannot sign of a well permit because it is a
  PWS. DWS needs to approve the well.

14
PA 07-244 updates CGS Sec 19a-36 and 19a-209a

• Allows the DOH to issue, in certain
  circumstances, a well permit without an exception
  from DPH for
• the installation or replacement of a water supply
  well at residential premises on properties whose
  boundaries are located within 200 feet of a CWS

15

• Conditions - CGS Sec 19a-36 and 19a-209a - must
  be imposed by the DOH in these instances
• CWS notification,
• Provisions for cross-connection/backflow
  prevention - B38
• Testing per B101

16

• The RCSA Sec. 19-13-B51m is in process of being
  revised.
• Will reflect the changes in CGS
• DWS will have soon available a standard
  application for a WPX request. Check the website
• www.ct.gov/dph

17
Questions?

• Thank You