Agenda - 11-20-2012 - 6b - Laserfiche WebLink

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systems are not as efficient or cost-effective as closed-loop and operational costs are high. The industry and consumer demand has moved toward the closed-loop well systems in our area. We occasionally hear concerns from homeowners who perceive that these pump-and-dump wells could affect neighboring wells,causing them to run out of water, For that matter,we hear similar concerns about irrigation wells. In reality,we have no documented cases where a well (geothermal,irrigation,or other) has negatively impacted the productivity of a viable neighboring well. While this could in theory happen,the nature of our geology and the construction of fractured bedrock wells would likely preclude this. In the eastern part of our state,where wells may tap into a widespread aquifer with a common water table,effects can be more direct between wells. In the piedmont fractured bedrock wells, the groundwater reserves are stored in the saprolite(weathered rock)that overlies the bedrock. Drilled wells in our area draw water from fractures deep in the bedrock that get their water from the overlying saprolite. The Board of Health rules and those of the state currently allow construction of open discharge geothermal wells and wells used for irrigation,carwashes,livestock,etc. For protection of the groundwater,these wells must meet the same siting and construction requirements as any other water supply well in the county. To date,there has been no movement by the board to prohibit construction of wells that otherwise meet the requirements of the rules, Please let me know if I can answer any other questions you might have about this.