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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".21" citation="COMAR 26.04.04.21" title_num="26" subtitle_num="04" chapter_num="04" heading="Construction Standards — Upper Terminal of Well.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Except as provided for in this regulation, the following construction techniques for upper terminals for potable water supply wells are prohibited:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Use of buried well seals, or other devices, including a buried “sanitary well seal” to cap wells below ground surface and provide access for electrical cable or water pipes; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All pits, including frost pits, which are holes or depressions in the ground surrounding casings, in which all pumping and other equipment subject to freezing is emplaced.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>All wells shall be extended at least 8 inches above final grade.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>In areas where flooding is likely to occur, including 100-year flood plains and coastal areas, the casing shall terminate at least 24 inches above finished ground surface or pump house floor.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Pitless Adapters or Pitless Units Required.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Pitless adapters or pitless units shall be installed on all water supply wells except:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Wells enclosed in an above-grade pump house;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Wells for a public water supply if enclosed in a below-grade pump house or water treatment facility that conforms to regulations of the Department concerning public water supply system design; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>For suction lift systems where the well casing is 2 inches in diameter or less and used as a suction line a standard plumbing tee may be used as a pitless adapter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All pitless adapters and pitless units shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be of a type approved by the National Sanitation Foundation International;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Meet the standards of the Water Systems Council; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be approved by the Approving Authority.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Exemptions. Irrigation wells with a terminal 2 feet above grade and fitted with a ventless sanitary well cap are not required to have a pitless adapter or pitless unit installed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Proper Installation of Pitless Adapters or Pitless Units.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The well casing or pitless adaptor or pitless unit shall be located at least 8 inches above the finished ground surface or pump house floor if located inside of a building.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Connections of the Pitless Adapter or Pitless Unit.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Connections of the pitless adaptor or pitless unit to the well casing and the lateral connections from it shall be watertight.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A metal-cutting hole saw shall be used to construct the pitless adapter hole in the casing.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Cutting the pitless adapter hole in the casing by using an acetylene torch is not permitted.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>All burrs resulting from the cutting operation shall be removed.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Both outside and inside surfaces of that portion of casing surrounding the pitless adapter hole shall be made smooth.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A pitless adapter or pitless unit shall be installed in conformance with the depth of water service pipe requirements of the applicable State or county plumbing code.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Well Caps.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All wells shall be capped with one of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A watertight, screened vented cap;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A watertight cap; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The base of a pump motor, provided that, to prevent the entrance of vermin and debris:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>The motor mount provides a watertight seal; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>If venting is required, the vent is screened.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All well caps shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Meet one of the following requirements:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Comply with the standards of the National Sanitation Foundation International or the Water Systems Council; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Be a type approved by the Approving Authority; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If screws, nuts, and bolts are used in them they must be stainless steel.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The electrical conduit access shall be plugged if the pump is not installed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>In areas where flooding is likely to occur, including 100-year flood plains and coastal areas, wells shall be fitted with flood resistant caps.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Flowing Artesian Wells.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>All wells, including a flowing artesian well, may not be allowed to run water to waste.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A flowing artesian well shall be fitted with a watertight cap or be fitted with a valve to stop the flow of water.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>Access Port for Water Level Measurement. The Department, through a special condition in a Water Appropriation and Use Permit, may require that any well be equipped with an access port for water level measurements.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>For irrigation wells where the pumping equipment is installed and removed every season the well shall be capped as follows:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A sanitary well seal may be used when the pumping equipment is installed; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A watertight or screen-vented cap shall be used when the pumping equipment is not installed.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>