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What type of well construction activity requires that an application be submitted to the Water Quality Branch?
Any person requesting the installation, modification, repair or abandonment of water well or any other type of well or soil boring within Shelby County shall submit an application to the Water Quality Branch.
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What information must I provide to the Water Quality Branch for the installation of a well?
All applications requesting new well installations or modification of an existing well shall submit a plot plan showing the location of all underground utilities within fifty (50) feet of the proposed well site. The plot plan must identify any identifiable sources of potential contamination such as, but not limited to, septic tanks, field lines for the septic tanks, underground seepage pits, manure piles, barns or similar potential sources of contamination. Also, the plot plan should indicate an approximate location for the well,and it will be sited as close to the desired location as possible. A sketch of how the well is to be constructed shall be included with the application. Sections I and IX of the Well Application Form must be completed by the well owner. The well driller must complete sections IV through VIII and both the applicant as well as the driller must sign the completed application form. After all pertinent information has been entered on the application; submit it along with a plot plan, well construction diagram and all applicable fees to:
ATT: Greg Parker, Supervisor
Memphis and Shelby County Health Department
Water Quality Branch
1075 Mullins Station Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38134
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What fees are required?
All applications requesting a permit to construct water wells requires that a non -refundable processing fee of twenty-five ($25.00) dollars must be submitted with each application. Any construction permits issued on an emergency basis require a fifty ($50.00) dollar emergency fee be paid before the permit will be issued for construction of the well.
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How will my application be processed?
Each application is reviewed to assure all pertinent information has been supplied before a site visit is arranged for siting the well. A site inspection must be performed for the purpose of siting a water well in order to assure that the well location will meet all applicable siting criteria. The normal time frame for issuance of a construction permit is two to three weeks from the date of receiving a complete application. A well sited on an emergency basis should be issued within three to five business days.
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What are my responsibilities after the well construction permit has been issued and the well is placed in service?
The well owner must maintain the well in an operative condition at all times with a source of power in order to collect water samples for analytical purposes. A yearly permit fee of one hundred ($100.00) dollars to operate or maintain a well classified as quasi-public must be paid to the Water Quality Branch in January of each year.
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After the installation of a well what are the responsibilities of the Water Quality Branch?
Once a well has been installed and before it is released for use as a private or quasi-public source of water, a sample must be collected that will produce a negative bacteriological result. A well used for residential purposes will not be required to have an annual permit issued for operation of the well. Those wells classified as quasi-public are required to secure an annual permit to operate the well as well as be assessed the annual fee of one hundred ($100.00) dollars. Each quasi-public well must have an annual inspection performed as well as samples collected in order to assure that they are being maintained in an operative condition that will guard against the waste of water as well as not serving as a source of contamination for the groundwater aquifers in Shelby County.
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If the work being done is a well repair, is a permit required?
Yes, a well repair permit must be issued for the work whenever the seal on the well is broken. An application must be completely filled out then submitted before conducting the work. After completion of the work, the well driller shall notify the Water Quality Branch that the well is ready for sampling.
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What is required of the well driller?
A well driller shall have, in his possession, a valid well construction permit before any construction commences. The well driller must provide a readily accessible faucet or tap on the well discharge line at the wellhead for the collection of water samples. Thirty (30) days after well completion, a copy of the well drillers log must be submitted to the Water Quality Branch. The annular space of the well must be grouted throughout the entire length of the casing in one continuous operation from the top of the screen to the ground surface. Refer to Section 6.03 of the Shelby County Well Construction Code for further grouting requirements.
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Do I need a permit for well abandonment?
Yes, the well owner must submit a permit for well abandonment. The Water Quality Branch personnel must witness all well abandonment procedures. The water wells must be filled with Portland cement or a high solids bentonite grout by a well driller licensed with the State of Tennessee. For more detailed information about the regulatory requirements for filling a water well refer to Section 9 of the Shelby County Well Construction Code.
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Who do I contact for an application or further information?
Applicants may contact the Water Quality Branch at (901) 379-7254 for more assistance.
For more detailed information about water well installation please refer to the following publication:
Shelby County Well Construction Code
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