Definitions

Section 675 Section 675.10  Definitions "Act" means the Water Use Act of 1983 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1985, ch. 5, par. 1601 et seq., as amended by P.A. 85-905, effective November 18, 1987, and P.A. 85-483, effective September 17, 1987). "Aquifer" means a water-bearing geologic formation, group of geologic formations, or part of a geologic formation that has the characteristics to receive, store, and transmit groundwater. "Artesian aquifer" or "confined aquifer" means an aquifer confined from the top and bottom at a particular location such that the groundwater in the aquifer is under pressure greater than the atmosphere.  As a result, the water level in a well tapping an artesian aquifer rises above the top of the aquifer.  A flowing artesian well results when pressure in the artesian aquifer is sufficient to cause the water level in the well to rise above the land surface. "Artificial wants" means a use of water that may increase comfort, aesthetic, and propriety, but is not essential for existence.  Artifical wants include, but are not limited to, street cleaning, washing vehicles, and watering lawns. "Consolidated aquifer" means an aquifer formed in hard bedrock materials, such as limestone, dolomite, and sandstone. "Critical water level" means the elevation or depth of the water level for an aquifer below which suggests that the aquifer resource is being depleted on a long-term basis based upon monitoring of well water levels. "Drawdown" means the difference between the static and pumping water level in a well. "High capacity well" means a well capable of producing more than 100,000 gallons of groundwater a day. "Natural wants" means the use of water that is necessary for existence of man or beast.  Natural wants include, but are not limited to, quenching thirst; household uses of cooking, washing, bathing, and sanitation purposes; watering animals or livestock; and fire protection. "Public water supply well" means a water distribution system relying on a well or wells and servicing at least 25 people for 60 or more days a year. "Pumping water level" means the resulting water level in a well following a period of use. "Static water level" or "nonpumping water level" means the water level in a well which occurs during a period when the well is not being used. "Unconfined aquifer" or "water table aquifer" means an aquifer that is exposed to the atmosphere through openings in the overlying materials which extend to the land surface.  Groundwater in an unconfined aquifer is not under any additional pressure; therefore, the water level in a well tapping an unconfined aquifer reflects the true top of an unconfined aquifer. "Unconsolidated aquifer" means an aquifer formed in loose or uncemented materials, such as soil, sand, and gravel. "Units of local government" mean villages, municipalities, townships, counties, and water districts. "Water table" means that surface of an unconfined groundwater body which is under atmospheric pressure.  The water table marks the top of an unconfined aquifer. "Well" is used synonymously with point of withdrawal and is meant to include any continuous structure, such as a shaft or hole or a series of connected shafts or holes in the earth, which is used for withdrawing groundwater.