Section 6.88.060 Standards.

Standards for the construction, repair, reconstruction, destruction or abandonment of wells shall be as set forth in Chapter II of the Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 74, “Water Well Standards: State of California” and Appendixes E, F and G a part thereof, together with the supplemental standards of Department of Water Resources Bulletin No. 74-2, “Water Well Standards: Alameda County; and Department of Water Resources” Bulletin No. 74-1, “Cathodic Protection Wells Standards: State of California,” with the following modifications.

A. No well intended to produce fresh groundwater shall be perforated opposite aquifers producing saline water. It is recognized that in some instances production may be desired from areas and/or depths which contain poor or marginal quality water in all aquifers penetrated. It is not the intent of these standards to preclude such situations so long as the integrity of the fresh water supplies is maintained. Final judgment on well construction that would cause intermingling of waters of different qualities shall be at the discretion of the county.

B. In wells open to fresh water aquifers, penetrated aquifers producing saline water shall be sealed-off as specified in Section 13, Chapter II, Bulletin No. 74, and in Chapter IV, Bulletin 74-2.

C. Perched saline water shall be excluded from wells by a deep annular seal as specified in Section 9, Chapter II, Bulletin No. 74, and in Chapter IV, Bulletin 74-2.

D. As a guideline, saline water is considered as water which contains more than two hundred fifty (250) ppm chloride ion. During well construction, the permittee shall provide some provisions for the determination of groundwater quality characteristics of the major aquifers penetrated so that a judgment can be made as to whether or not intermingling will take place. Such determination can consist of evaluation of data regarding adjacent wells, evaluation of samples of formation materials encountered. Final judgment as to the probability of intermingling and the need for evaluation of conditions shall be at the discretion of the county.

E. Backfilling work on exploratory holes, as defined herein, shall de subject to requirements equivalent to those in the destruction of abandoned wells.

F. All water wells shall be maintained in such a manner that water quality samples can be readily collected. The county shall be empowered to collect water quality samples and to perform tests on any well at any reasonable time.

G. All work in the construction, repair, reconstruction, and destruction of wells shall be performed by contractors licensed in accordance with the provisions of the Contractors License Law (Chapter 9, Division 3, of the Business and Professions Code) unless exempted by that act.