Supplemental Water Wells
A supplemental well provides water for purposes other than drinking. Watering the lawn or garden, filling a pond or a swimming pool, washing the car, are examples of supplemental well use.
Supplemental wells, just like potable wells, are vertical pathways into this groundwater supply. If the supplemental well is not properly maintained, it can act as a direct channel for contaminating the aquifer.
Some areas have regulations that prohibit the use of supplemental wells.
If your city, municipality, or other public water provider does not object to the use of supplemental wells, you may apply to the County Health Department to keep the well.
The Health Department will inspect the well and well components, and collect a water sample. The well must be of approved construction and must produce water that is safe for human consumption.
Converting To A Supplemental Well
A supplemental well must provide approved backflow protection for the well system.
Generally this means having hose bib vacuum breakers on outside faucets, a reduced pressure zone backflow device for a buried sprinkler system, and/or an approved fixed air gap for pond leveling wells.
As owner of the well, you must maintain the well in compliance with all state and county well regulations. This includes completing and recording a Notice of Supplemental Well form (where required) and allowing the Health Department access to the well for inspection and sampling.
A Notice of Supplemental Well filed with the County Recorder of Deeds is required in some areas. This is simply a notice that states that although your property is served by a public water supply, there is also a water well on the property.
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