Regulations (Health Act)

No well may be located within 100 feet horizontally of a probably source of contamination (ie. A septic system or manure storage) or within four hundred feet of a dumping ground or cemetery.

Construction

Approvals

Any well which serves more than one single family dwelling may be a “waterworks system” under the British Columbia Health Act. These wells require the written approval of the regional public health engineer before construction commences. The quality of the water and protection of the source must also be acceptable to the local medical health officer.

Some local by-laws may also require approval for private wells.

Recommendations

* Construct your well before building your house. If you cannot find a satisfactory water supply, you can alter your building plans.
* Hire a certified water well driller who follows the Code of Practice for construction, testing, maintenance, alteration and closure of wells. Insist on a pump test.
* The well site should be property drained and protected against flooding and surface water run-off.
* The well casing should extend into, and be sealed to a depth of at least 10 feet preferably to the uppermost layer or hardpan, bedrock or clay above the aquifer.
* A vented watertight seal or cover should be placed on top of all well casings. All well casings, except those with a pit less adaptor should be extended a minimum of eighteen inches above the ground.
* The openings into the well casing for pump suction lines, water level measurements lines and power cables, should be tightly sealed.
* Pump houses should be adequately elevated, drained and protected against flooding.
* All water lines from wells and pump houses to dwelling should be buried and insulated to prevent freezing in severe winters.
* Disinfect the well before use. See “Disinfect ion of Wells” below. Professional well drillers may use a different procedure.

Types of Wells

Drilled Wells
Recommended for water source that is at least 50 feet deep, and preferably, protected from surface contamination by an impervious layer of rock or clay. This is the best type of well to avoid human-caused pollution, but the most expensive type.

Driven Wells
Recommended where the water table is more than 20 feet from the surface. A driven well is more vulnerable to pollution than a drilled well, but generally preferred over a dug well.

Dug or Pit Wells
Can be used when the water source is less than 25 feet down (10 feet at a minimum) and when a driven or drilled well is not feasible. Preferably, the well should pass through an impervious layer of soil such as hardpan or clay, and should be located no closer than 20 feet horizontally from the high-water mark of any stream or lake. As it is easily contaminated water from dug wells should be disinfected.

Maintenance

Disinfection of Wells

It is important that all wells are periodically disinfected with chlorine to help ensure they are free from bacterial contamination.

Test for bacteria frequently (at least twice per year) and treat again as necessary.

The method outlined below describes a general procedure to disinfect a well. If you have any questions about this procedure, contact your local environmental health officer for advice.

Procedure

* Pour unscented household bleach (5-6% chlorine) directly into the well. The chart below outlines the amount of chorine to add based on the diameter of the well or pipe and the depth of the water in the well or pipe.
* Help the chlorine mix by running a hose back into the well for 30 minutes.
* Run each tap (including outside house bibs) until you can smell chlorine.
* Open the valve or plug at the top of the pressure tank to allow the solution to contact the entire inside surface of the tank, then close the valve or plug.
* Leave the chlorinated water in the system for 24 hours. This is a very strong chlorine solution (50 parts per million).

*** DO NOT DRINK THE WATER ***

* Pump out the water until the chlorine odor disappears. Do not drain the water into a stream, ditch or storm drain which connects with any
fish bearing streams.
* Monitor your water frequently and treat again as necessary.
* Control the factors that limit the effect of chlorine (ie. Cloudiness and high levels of iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulphide).
* If a shortage of water is a concern, less chlorine can be used for routine disinfect ion. Talk to your local environmental health officer for more information.

Bleach solution required to disinfect water systems
Diameter of Well or pipe Bleach (5-6% Chlorine) per
Depth of Water in Well or Pipe
Inches cm Per 10 feet Per 3m
2 5 1 tsp 5 ml
4 10 4 tsp 20 ml
6 15 10 tsp 50 ml
8 20 7 tbsp 100 ml
10 25 ½ cup + 2 tbsp 150 ml
12 30 ¾ cup + 1 tbsp 200 ml
24 60 3 ½ cups 800 ml
36 90 2 quarts 2.3 L
48 120 3 quarts 3.4 L
60 150 5 quarts 5.7 L
72 180 7 quarts 8.0 L
96 240 3 gallons 13.6 L
1 cup = 16 tbsp = 48 tsp