Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Charles Ice, Director, Environmental Health Services
Subject: Introduction of Ordinance Updating Chapter 4.68 of the San Mateo County Ordinance Code Concerning Wells
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Introduction of an ordinance repealing and replacing San Mateo County Ordinance Code Chapter 4.68 concerning wells, and waive reading of the ordinance in its entirety.
body
BACKGROUND:
In California, regulatory authority over well construction, alteration, and destruction activities rests with local jurisdictions (cities, counties, or water agencies), who have the authority to adopt local well ordinances that meet or exceed California Department of Water Resources Well Standards, adopted pursuant to California Water Code sections 13800–13806. Permitting of wells and enforcement of applicable standards are carried out by designated local enforcement agencies. The San Mateo County Environmental Health Services Division (Division) is recognized by the California Department of Water Resources as the sole well permitting local enforcement agency in San Mateo County.
The County’s Wells Ordinance (Chapter 4.68) was first adopted in January 2001 and was last amended in November 2002. The County ordinances regulating wells and domestic water supply systems function in tandem, and the Water Supply System ordinance (Chapter 4.64, which the Division suggests renaming to the Domestic Water Systems ordinance) was adopted in January 1977 and has not been amended since. The Division is proposing a comprehensive overhaul of both ordinances to align with current State standards and updated regulatory best practices, and for improved implementation and enforcement of both ordinances.
DISCUSSION:
Amendments to the Wells Ordinance (Chapter 4.68) were necessary to 1) update obsolete sections, 2) realign t...
Click here for full text