Well Permits Well permits are required for all wells and most borings, probes or other vertical excavations. Wells are defined as any vertically drilled excavations that have a casing installed. Soil borings, or push probes to a depth of 20 feet or more, or that encounter groundwater also require a well permit. In addition, rehabilitating an existing well also requires acquisition of a well permit. All well drilling contractors must possess a current C-57 contractor’s license.
If a domestic supply well is proposed in the City of Anaheim, please contact the Environmental Services Division at (714) 765-4166 for current information on the buffer zone for the Groundwater Replenishment System.
Well permit Fees:
- $115 for the permit application
- An additional $80 for each well installed or destroyed
- An additional $80 for each vapor probe installed or destroyed. This fee will be waived if the probes are destroyed within one week of installation
- Borings and push probes are included in the $115 permit application fee
Download Well Permit and Application Instructions 
injection wells
In addition to requiring a well permit from the City of Anaheim, Class V injection wells must also be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9. The registration form can be found on their website: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/groundwater/uic-classv.html. Verification of EPA registration must be submitted to Anaheim Public Utilities with the Well Completion Report.
HIGH PRODUCTION WELLS Any well expected to produce over 500 gallons per minute must include verification that the proposed well will not negatively impact an existing well or a well planned to be installed by the City of Anaheim. The verification document shall be signed by a State certified hydrogeologist and include the written concurrence of the Orange County Water District.
UNUSUAL METHODOLOGY OR USE When the Environmental Services Manager determines a well project proposes unusual methodology or use for drilling, well installation, well destruction, or use, the well permit applicant shall provide documentation from an authoritative body (such as the US EPA, CalEPA, DWR, and/or OSHA) that the proposed methodology is acceptable and appropriate for the proposed project. The well permit applicant shall supplement this documentation as required by the Environmental Services Manager.
DESTRUCTION OF WATER SUPPLY WELLS
A well destruction permit is required and a C-57 licensed contractor must be used. The following is a list of minimum requirements (see Citys W-630 Standard in PDF format). Additional requirements may be required by Anaheim depending on actual conditions. These requirements include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Remove all obstructions, contaminants and pumping apparatus from the well casing. Note: Contaminants are to be properly stored/disposed according to local, state and federal regulations.
- Measure total depth and casing diameter to determine amount of sealing material required.
- If required by the City inspector, perforate the well casing to ensure backfilling of annular space outside of casing.
- Pump an approved sealing material using a tremie pipe from the bottom of the well to eight feet from the top of the well.
- Excavate around casing, a minimum of five feet below existing or proposed grade, whichever is lower. Cut casing at the five foot depth. The casing is to be swaged (flared); rebar is to be installed; and a cement mushroom cap is to be installed.
- Fill the excavation to grade w/ compacted fill as directed by the City Inspector.
Destruction of Monitoring wells, Vadose wells, VAPOR PROBES, and Soil Borings
All abandoned wells and borings shall be properly destroyed and sealed. Wells are considered abandoned if unused for a period of one year.
1. Monitoring wells, vadose wells and vapor probes are to be destroyed using one of the following methods:
- Overdrilling the entire well, removing the well casing, filter pack, annular seal and well box. The borehole shall then be filled with an Anaheim Public Utilities approved sealing material or;
- Pressure grouting with an approved sealing material that flows through the perforations. The casing may need to be perforated to ensure sealing material penetrates the filter pack and all other voids. The top five feet of the well and well box shall be overdrilled/removed and filled with an Anaheim Public Utilities approved sealing material or a combination of sealing materials such as bentonite, capped with concrete and followed by native fill or;
- If site is excavated, the wells may be excavated, the casing pulled and any voids filled with sealant.
- If an abandoned well is overexcavated (e.g. during new pool installation), then a new cap must be installed.
2. Soil borings are to be destroyed by filling the borehole with an approved sealing material on the same day they are drilled. Approved sealing materials per Californias Department of Water Resources Well Standards Bulletin 74-90 and Anaheim Public Utilities W-630 Standard are:
- Bentonite
- Bentonite grout
- Neat cement
- Sand cement grout
- Concrete
Any deviations from standard methodology require the written approval of the Environmental Services Manager.
RIGHT OF WAY CONSTRUCTION PERMIT
For wells or borings to be drilled in City streets, sidewalks, or other rights-of-way, the applicant must obtain a Right-of-Way Construction Permit from the Public Works Department (714-765-5176). This link provides general information about these permits: http://www.anaheim.net/depts_servc/pub_works/dev_svc/rowconstrpermit.pdf
WELL COMPLETION REPORT
Within 60 days of the date of completion, a copy of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Well Completion Report must be submitted to Anaheim Public Utilities for each well constructed or destroyed. A copy of the Right-of-Way Construction Permit should be included with the well completion report (if applicable). The links below provide access to instructions on how to complete the DWR form and a copy of the Well Completion Report in PDF format.
Well Completion Report Resources view or download from DWR Web site
Download Well Completion Report in PDF format
Send the completed report to:
Department Water Resources
Southern Region
770 Fairmount Ave., Suite 102
Glendale, CA 91203-1035
And a copy to:
Anaheim Public Utilities
Environment Services Division
201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 601
Anaheim, CA 92805
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you would like additional information, please contact Marie Newland (714.765.4166) or Dick Wilson (714.765.4277). Under most cases, Anaheim staff will process permit applications within 2 days. If same-day service is needed please contact Marie Newland to set up an appointment to process your permit application. |