Orange County NC Website
33 <br /> W � <br /> In <br /> t <br /> 1 LM <br /> 2 C.J. Cornette explained that with proper casing depth (typically 50+ feet), wells shouldn't <br /> 3 directly affect surface streams. Springs fed by groundwater could potentially be affected by <br /> 4 upgradient wells, but deep crystalline rock wells are very likely not going to have a strong impact <br /> 5 on the stream nearby. <br /> 6 Vice-Chair Hamilton asked if there are wells that are fed from streams underground. <br /> 7 C.J. Corvette said yes. He said if there's a site where the groundwater is feeding the <br /> 8 stream or is a spring and the water is tapped into uphill, it might remove the water from the <br /> 9 system. However, if the water is downhill and the water is already out on the surface, it may not. <br /> 10 He clarified that community wells are less likely to have an impact on a nearby stream than, for <br /> 11 example, a spring that someone puts in on their private residence. <br /> 12 Using the whiteboard, C.J. Cornette illustrated the concept of the cone depression, <br /> 13 showing how pumping creates a cone-shaped area of reduced water pressure around the well. <br /> 14 In confined aquifers, this represents pressure reduction rather than actual dewatering of the <br /> 15 formation. <br /> 16 Commissioner Fowler asked the presenter to confirm if deep wells are less likely to <br /> 17 affect the water table and groundwater. <br /> 18 C.J. Cornette said that is true if they are constructed well. <br /> 19 Commissioner McKee said his takeaway is that with all the variables, it is nearly <br /> 20 impossible to say whether one well will impact another well. <br /> 21 C.J. Cornette said if a second well is within a 500 ft. radius, they could test one while <br /> 22 doing a drawdown test in the other, and that is the internal guidance in his company. <br /> 23 <br /> 24 <br /> 25 <br /> 26 <br /> 27 <br /> 28 <br /> 29 <br />