A. No person shall operate a well without applying for and obtaining a groundwater use permit for such activity from the town in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

B. The requirements of this section shall be applicable to all new wells used or operated. The requirements of this section shall not be applicable to existing wells at the time of its adoption. This provision shall be applicable to existing wells when it becomes necessary to implement pump system repair.

C. Each applicant for a groundwater use permit shall provide the town with a letter or other written evidence from California Water Service Company or the San Mateo county health services department documenting that a backflow prevention device has been installed between the property being served and the meter box or distribution system.

D. Issuance of a groundwater use permit is contingent upon submittal to and approval by the town building department for electrical and plumbing specifications for the water well pump and distribution system.

E. Each well operated to supply water for any purpose shall have a meter installed on the well to record the volume of water used. A record of such water usage shall be submitted by the permittee to the town annually unless otherwise requested by the town. This provision shall include dewatering wells (or well systems) and groundwater contamination recovery wells, but not groundwater monitoring wells.

F. All wells shall be provided with a one inch access pipe, capped at the bottom and perforated with at least three holes per foot of no less than one-twentieth of a square inch each, and free from burrs, over the lower forty feet. (Each hole is approximately equivalent to a quarter-inch drilled hole or two hack saw cuts one-half inch long.) This pipe will extend from above the pump to the surface and may be secured to the discharge pipe and well cap. The top of the pipe shall be kept sealed by a threaded or equivalently secure cap or plug. The purpose of this pipe is for measuring water levels and it may also be used to comply with county Ordinance 03101 Section 4710.

G. Any well used or operated as a water supply shall be tested for water quality at the expense of the permittee upon request of the town. Results of these tests shall be provided to the town. (This provision expands San Mateo county Ordinance 03101 to include all wells.)

H. Any domestic well must meet San Mateo county requirements. Any agricultural well or domestic irrigation well used for waterscapes, including but not limited to fountains, swimming pools, spas, etc. must meet minimum San Mateo county drinking water standards with respect to potable water.

I. A permit issued pursuant to this section for the use or operation of a well shall not expire and shall remain valid provided that the operation or use of the well is in compliance with the standards under this chapter and county and state law. A one-time groundwater use permit fee as prescribed by city council must be paid by the applicant.

J. As a condition for the issuance of a permit under this section, the permittee shall allow the town or an authorized representative to enter the property where the well is located, upon twenty-four hours’ notice, unless otherwise agreed by the parties, to investigate, examine and test the well and well site. (Ord. 465 § 1 (part), 1991; Ord. 355 § 6, 1977)