Bureau of Public Health Engineering

Permit Type 33 - Use of Well Water For Other Than Drinking Purposes

Introduction

Under Article 141 of the New York City Health Code (drinking Water), an application for a permit to install new water wells as appurtenances to residential homes and apartment houses in commercial and industrial establishment in the City of New York for other than drinking or food preparation purposes (non potable water) must be filed with Bureau of Public Health Engineering, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. A well shall not be used until a permit has been approved and issued by the Bureau.

Jurisdiction of Other Agencies

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation(NYSDEC)

Any person or public corporation who installs or operates a well in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens to withdraw water for any purpose, other than a public water supply, must have a permit from the NYSDEC when the total capacity of such well or wells on any one property is in excess of 45 gallons per minute. This includes temporary or permanent dewatering well.

For more information on the application requirements, please contact

New York City Department of Environmental Conservation
Division of Regulatory Affairs
47-40 21 st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
Tel: (718) 482-4997

Approval by the NYSDEC is not required for wells regardless of their capacity which are installed in the boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx and Richmond.

New York City Department of Buildings

The well owner is advised that there are Department of Buildings regulations concerning the installation of a well within commercial and manufacturing buildings and approvals and permits shall be required in such circumstances. All wells should be located at sufficient distances form the bearing wall or column so as to prevent any structural damage (a 10 feet distance is recommended). The local borough office of the Building Department must be contacted for more specific information.

Permit Application and Approval Procedures

Part 1: Permit Application

The following items must be submitted to facilitate the review process for an application to obtain a permit:

1. A completed Form 314C, "Application for Permit", signed original.
2. A completed Form PHE 98,"Well Water Questionnaire" (Non Potable), signed original.
3. A map or plan of the property showing the location of any buildings, proposed well site, property boundaries, and any potential sources of pollution (fuel or septic tanks, solid waste, salt storage, etc.) within 200 feet of the well.
4. Permit application fee: $300.00 in a check made payable to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (The annual renewal fee is $15.00).
5. An annual bacteriological sample result from a New York State Health Department certified laboratory must be submitted with the renewal fee.
6. A completed well log/well detail from the well contractor, including the following information:
   1. Water needs, and actual safe pumping rate (yield).
   2. Well casing details (type, diameter, length, weight, grout).
   3. Geological profile (sub-surface conditions, depths).

Part 2: Field Inspection

Once an application is completed as required, an inspection must be performed by the Bureau of Public Health Engineering before any well or wells are put into operation. In addition to the well construction inspection, a minimum of one grab sample will be taken from each well by the Bureau's field representative and sent to the laboratory for Bacteriological analysis. Information concerning the results of the field inspection or the well water analysis will be provided by the Bureau of Public Health Engineering.

Part 3: Permit Issuance

When the Bureau finds that the terms and conditions of the applicable permit have been met, an approval will be granted. The Form 314C, "Application for permit", is signed, and the permit can be issued.

Well Construction & Operation Requirements

Location:

All well installation shall be located at least 100 feet from any private sewage disposal system such as cesspool, seepage pit, tile field, etc. The grade at the well installation shall be at or above the grade of the sewage disposal system.

For a proposed new well, past land use in area, any potential sources of groundwater contamination that may migrate into the well point's cone of depression such as gas stations, chemical plants, landfills, transfer stations, etc. must be assessed prior to the well construction.

Signs:

A sign shall be posted on each tap or outlet connected to the well bearing the statement, "DANGER- This well water not to be used for drinking or domestic purposes." The lettering on the sign shall be at least two inches high)

Well Casing:

A 2 foot concrete apron, 4 inches thick (minimum dimensions) shall be placed around the well casing. the apron shall be sloped away from well to provide good surface and prevent contamination of the well.

There shall be no direct connection whatsoever between the well piping and the building plumbing or the municipal water supply system.

The well installation shall be equipped with a check valve on the discharge side of the well pump. Even though the well pump may have a built-in check valve on the intake side, a second check valve on the discharge side of the pump must be provided.

Water Sampling Analysis:

A minimum of one grab sample per well must be taken for annual Bacteriological analyses. It shall be performed by a New York State certified laboratory and the results must be submitted along with the annual permit renewal fee. It is recommended that a volatile organic analysis be collected in accordance with EPA Method 502.2 for your safety.

Water Quality Requirements:

The quality of the water obtained from wells installed as an appurtenance to one and two-family dwellings must be bacteriologically potable regardless of the intended use. Water from wells installed in apartment houses and in commercial and industrial establishments does not have to be bacteriologically potable unless the water is used for lawn sprinkling or the filling of swimming pools.

A sampling tap must be provided to permit the taking of a raw well sample prior to the point where any hose connections are made.

Well Decontamination:

After filing the application with the Bureau of Public Health Engineering, the well shall be disinfected as follows:

Pour a solution containing one quart of ordinary laundry bleach (approximately 5% available chlorine) and 10 gallons of water down the well shaft. Let this solution remain in the well for at least 24 hours; then pump water from the well for at least 3 hours.

Well Abandonment:

When the use of a well is discontinued, it shall be abandoned in accordance with all the applicable State and Local rules and regulations. The Bureau of Public Health Engineering shall be notified immediately at 212-676-1520.

For more information, call 311.