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MINUTES OF THE , <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> February 9,2015 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> 7. #15-3714 CREATE SECTION 14-142 WELLHEAD PROTECTION ORDINANCE— <br /> ORDINANCE NO. 135 <br /> Edwards stated the purpose of this City Ordinance is to create Section 14-142 to provide for wellhead <br /> protection by prohibiting new private wells where public water supply is available. In October of 2013, <br /> the City adopted its Wellhead Protection Plan. The WHPP is a requirement of the Minnesota Department <br /> of Health under Minnesota State Statutes and is a method of preventing contamination of a public water <br /> supply well by effectively managing potential contaminant sources in the area wluch contributes water to <br /> a public water supply well. <br /> Edwards stated part of the plan was a series of improvements the City agreed to do to protect its wells. <br /> One of those requirements was to establish a City Ordinance to protect the wells by prohibiting new <br /> private wells within protection zones,which corresponds with the City's water distribution system. If a <br /> person has a fully functioning well,they will not be required to be connected to the city water until the <br /> well becomes nonfunctioning or the building undergoes major remodeling resulting in an increase in <br /> water use that exceeds the capacity of the well. If it is not feasible to connect to a public water supply or <br /> if private on-site water supplementation is required as determined by the City of Orono,a well may be <br /> drilled in accordance with the specifications and provisions of the Minnesota Department of Health. At <br /> the time connection to the public water supply is completed,all existing private wells no longer in use <br /> shall be capped by a licensed well contractor. <br /> Printup asked if that means that if a private well fails,the property owner cannot drill another one or <br /> whether they are allowed to drill on an alternate site. <br /> Edwards concurred that there are numerous alternate sites for drilling another well on any particular <br /> property. <br /> Walsh asked if this is a mandate or a suggestion they would like the City to follow. <br /> Edwards stated it is a suggestion. <br /> Walsh stated he would want to be able to drill another well and that he dces not want someone to cap <br /> their wells if they aze able to fix it. Wa1sh stated that should be an option as well as allowing a person to <br /> be able to drill a new well for irrigation. Walsh stated in his view it seems like a land grab by the <br /> government to push people on City water and that he is not in favor of that. <br /> Edwards stated in his view the City Ordinance would allow people to make repairs to their well but that it <br /> would prohibit someone from getting a new well permit from the State and drilling a new well. <br /> Walsh indicated he would not be in agreement with that and that people should be able to drill a new well <br /> if they want to. <br /> Printup asked if a person could drill deeper if their well runs dry. <br /> Edwards stated the resident would be allowed to do maintenance on their well,but that if they need to <br /> drill a new well,the City Ordinance would require them to obtain a permit from the state. Edwards stated <br /> the City Ordinance would prohibit someone from getting that permit to get a new well. <br /> Page 10 of 26 <br />