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TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS County
FROM: WATER COMMITTEE
DATE: April 10, 1984
SUBJECT: Well-Drilling Bonding Requirements and Protections
Specific Requests or Recommendations & Background & Justification
RECOMMENDATION
1. The Board confirm the request of the Water Committee to the Department of Health
Services, Environmental Health Division, to provide the following information to
the Water Committee at their June meeting:
A. A list of cities that have not adopted the County ordinances for sewer and water.
B. A letter to major builders, land clearers, and industrial associations to inform
them of the County's regulations concerning water wells, in particular,
abandonment.
C. A recommendation for using the Land Information System for designating locations
of water wells.
D. A determination if State and local governmental agency well drilling is being
done in conformance with the County ordinance.
E. A determination if groundwater quality monitoring wells are being constructed
according to County ordinance.
F. A standard form which would allow private individuals, such as well-drillers,
to report observed violations of the County well ordinance.
2. No change in the existing County ordinance concerning well-drilling bonding requirements
is necessary.
BACKGROUND
On June 7, 1983, the Board referred to the Health Services Director and County Counsel
fof a report, a letter from Roy W. Mays, expressing dissatisfaction with the $5,000 bonding
requirement of the County for the drilling of wells. The Assistant Health Services Director-
Environmental Health, filed a memorandum with the Board which was concurred in by County
Counsel , which explained the reasons for the bonding requirement and suggested that the
report be referred to the Board's Water Committee for more comprehensive discussion with
all affected parties.
The purpose for the bond is to assure a funding source accessible to the County for appropriate
repairs in those situations where wells are drilled and abandoned prior to completion,
or where wells are drilled or destroyed in a manner that is not in compliance with the
ordinance requirements. Where violations occur which could result in contamination of
the groundwater aquifers from surface sources, and failure to correct these deficiencies
Continued on attachment: X yes Signature:
Recommendation of County Administrator X Recommendation of Board Committee
Approve Other:
kq
Signature(s): Sunne Wright McPeak Tom Torlakson
Action of Board on: Zi Id 9 9 �1_ Approved as Recommended Other
Vote of Supervisors I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE
AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN
Unanimous (Absent ) AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE
Ayes: Noes: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON DATE SHOWN.
Absent: Abstain: n� a� '�•�
Attested C"?"" ` /O J 9 8 �z
Orig. Div.: Public Works (EC) J.R. OLSSON, COUNTY CLERK ADD
cc: County Administrator EX OFFICIO CLERK OF THE BDW
Health Services Dept.-Env.Health
County Counsel
wc.bo.welldrill.10apr.t4 By / DEPUTY
000176
in a timely manner due to disputes between well-drillers and/or clients, or abandonments
by private property owners or well-drillers from within or outside of the County, the
County can execute against the bond and properly seal these wells to prevent contamination
of the drinking water aquifers.
The Water Committee received input from several representatives of the well-drilling industry
concerning the bonding requirement and the County's involvement in monitoring well-drilling
in general . The Committee felt that the bonding requirement is appropriate and should
be continued. The Committee directed the Assistant Health Services Director-Environmental
Health to report back to the Committee at their June meeting on several other items which
would improve the Health Services Department's ability to enforce the County Well Ordinance.
000.17