Definitions

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: 1. "Abandoned well" means a well whose use has been permanently discontinued. 2. "Annular space" means the opening between a well hole excavation and the well casing or curb, or between a casing pipe and a liner pipe. 3. "Appurtenances" means valves, meters, taps, gauges, or other devices required for adequate control or measurement of the well output. 4. "Aquifer" means a water-bearing formation that transmits water in sufficient quantities to supply a well. 5. "Casing" shall mean the pipe installed in the drill hole to give unobstructed access to the water-bearing formation. 6. "Constructing" a well includes boring, digging, drilling, or excavation in installing casings, well screens, and other appurtenances. 7. "Contamination" means alteration of the physical, chemical, or biological quality of the water so that it is harmful or potentially injurious to the health of the users or for the intended use of the water. 8. "Department" means the department of environmental quality. 9. "Disinfection" means the killing of infectious agents outside the body by chemical or physical means. 10. "Drawdown" means the extent of lowering the water surface in a well and of the water table adjacent to the well, resulting from the discharge of water from the well by pumping or natural flow. 11. "Drilling" means making any opening in the earth's surface by drilling, boring, or otherwise, and includes inserting any object into any part of the earth's surface for the purpose of obtaining an underground water supply except drainage tiles or similar devices designed primarily to improve land by removing excess water. 12. "Established ground surface" means the permanent elevation of the surface of the ground at the site of the well. 13. "Filter pack" means a clean sand or sand and gravel material of selected grain size and gradation which is installed in the annular space between a well hole excavation and the outside of the well screen for the purpose of preventing formation material from entering the screen. 14. "Geothermal system driller" means any person who is certified to conduct the business of drilling, boring, or excavating for the purpose of constructing or substantially modifying a geothermal energy extraction facility. 15. "Ground water source" means all water obtained from dug, drilled, bored, or driven well, infiltration lines, and springs. 16. "Grout" or "grouting material" means any stable impervious bonding material which is capable of providing a watertight seal between the casing and the formation throughout the depth required to protect against objectionable matter and which is reasonably free of shrinkage. 17. "Liner pipe" means a pipe installed inside a completed and cased well for the purpose of sealing off undesirable water or for repairing ruptured or punctured casing or screens. 18. "Pitless adapter" means a commercially manufactured device designed for attachment to a well casing and is so constructed as to prevent the entrance of contaminants into the well or potable water supply, conduct water from the well below the frostline to prevent freezing, and provide full access to the water system components within the well. 19. "Pitless unit" means a factory-assembled device with cap which extends the upper end of a well casing to above grade and is so constructed as to prevent the entrance of contaminants into the well or potable water supply, conduct water from the well below the frostline to prevent freezing, and provide full access to the well and the water system components within the well. 20. "Potable water" means water free from impurities in amounts sufficient to cause disease or harmful physiological effects, with the bacteriological and chemical quality conforming to applicable standards. 21. "Pressure tank" or "hydropneumatic tank" means a closed water storage container constructed to operate under a designed pressure rating to modulate the water system pressure within a selected range. 22. "Private water supply" means one that is not for public use. 23. "Public water supply" means a water supply connected to at least fifteen service connections or regularly serves an average of twenty-five persons daily, sixty days out of the year. 24. "Pumps" and "pumping equipment" means any equipment or materials utilized or intended for use in withdrawing or obtaining ground water for any use, including, without limitation, seals and tanks, together with fittings and controls. 25. "Repair" means any action which results in a breaking or opening of the well seal or replacement of a pump. 26. "Shall" means mandatory compliance with all aspects of the rules and regulations for water well construction and water well pump installation. 27. "Should" means provisions which are not mandatory but which are recommended or desirable procedures or methods. Deviation from the rules and regulations for water well construction and water well pump installation is subject to individual consideration. 28. "Static water level" means the elevation of the surface of the water in a well when no water is being discharged therefrom. 29. "Water well contractor" means any person who is certified to conduct the business of well drilling under the provisions of North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-35. 30. "Water well pump and pitless unit installer" means any person who is certified to conduct the business of installing water well pumps and pitless units under the provisions of North Dakota Century Code chapter 43-35. 31. "Well development" means the general process to achieve sand-free water at the highest possible well capacity. 32. "Well seal" means an approved arrangement or device used to cap a well or to establish and maintain a junction between the casing or curbing of a well and the piping or equipment installed therein, the purpose or function of which is to prevent pollutants from entering the well at the upper terminal. 33. "Well vent" means an outlet at the upper terminal of the well casing to allow equalization of air pressure in the well and escape of toxic or inflammable gases. 34. "Wells" means any artificial opening or artificially altered natural opening however made by which ground water is sought or through which ground water flows under natural pressure or is artificially withdrawn; provided, that this definition does not include a natural spring, stock ponds, or holes drilled for the purpose of exploration for production of oil, gas, gravel, or other minerals.