A. Permit Required. No person shall drill or enlarge a production well, or conduct a step test or pump test for a production well unless the owner of the land upon which the production well is located or is to be located or the person conducting the activity has first obtained a permit from the Township Zoning Officer. The permitting requirement of this section shall not apply to public utilities operating under a certificate of public convenience issued by the Public Utility Commission or to wells that require permits from the Delaware River Basin Commission.

B. Permits shall be issued by the Township Zoning Officer upon payment by the applicant of the fee required for the activity to be conducted. The Board of Supervisors of the Township shall, by resolution from time to time, establish the fee schedule for permits applicable to the drilling, enlarging, step testing, and/or pump testing community wells.

C. The application for a permit shall be in writing by the applicant and shall set forth the following information:

(1) The exact location of the production well.
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the owner of the tract of land upon which the production well is situated or intended to be situated.
(3) The name, address, and telephone number of the person conducting the activity.
(4) The precise date or dates upon which the activity is to occur.
(5) The proposed pumping rate, together with the calculation established for the projected water demand for the proposed well.
(6) A long term safe yield calculation for the proposed well based on the underlying geologic formation(s).
(7) A satisfactory contingency plan pursuant to Subsection 9 hereof to promptly supply water to anyone adversely affected in either quantity or quality by the pump test.

D. Drilling a production well, enlarging a production well, conducting a step test of a production well, and conducting a pump test of a production well shall each be considered separate activities, and each shall require a separate permit. The permit shall be secured by the applicant a minimum of 72 hours prior to the occurrence of the activity. Permits shall automatically expire and become null and void 15 days after issuance.

5. If for any reason whatsoever, the proposed activity is delayed so that the notice to the Township Engineer, the Township Office and the residents within 1/2 mile of the production well sets forth incorrect information with regard to the date of the intended activity, in that event, the owner of the premises or the person conducting the activity shall issue new notices to the Township Office, the Township Engineer, and residents within 1/2 mile of the production well.

6. The Township Engineer shall have the right at the sole discretion of the Board of Supervisors of the Township, to be present at the site for any activities involving the drilling or enlarging of a production well, and the pump testing or step testing of a production well.

7. Any application for a permit for the drilling, enlarging, step testing, and/or pump testing of a production well shall be accompanied by a detailed hydrogeological report in order to obtain the adequacy of the supply of groundwater for the production well. The hydrogeological report shall include, but is not limited to, the following materials, information and data: see § 27-29067A for a list of report requirements.

8. Within 30 days after the activity governed by the permit has been completed, the owner of the premises or the person conducting the activities shall supply the following information to the Township: see § 27-29068A for required information.

9. The applicant shall be required to provide an adequate supply of potable water to any person adversely affected by any well test promptly upon being notified by the Township or the affected well owner. This duty shall continue until the affected well is capable of producing an adequate supply of potable water to the well owner.

See Planning, Code Enforcements & Permits for more information.