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- On-Site Water Protection (Wells)
On-Site Water Protection (Wells)
The On-Site Water Protection program
ensures private water supply wells are properly protected by enforcing the
North Carolina Private Drinking Well Rules.
This is completed by permitting and inspecting proper installations of
all new constructions, repairs, and abandonments. Private water supplies can be
sampled for coliform bacteria, chemical, and petroleum to certify the well yields
water that is safe to drink.
To submit a septic tank application, complete an onsite wastewater application below and submit upon completion. Once your application has been received, office personnel will be in contact to confirm receipt of your application and to discuss payment options.
Well Application
Water Sample Application
When submitting your onsite wastewater application a preliminary site plan is required. A site plan includes the following:
- Lot lines with dimensions shown.
- All proposed structures (home, buildings, pool) with the distance measured from two sides of the structure to the property lines or lot corners.
- Proposed driveways must be identified.
- Locations of any existing or proposed well, onsite wastewater systems, or easements.
- Road name must be shown.
RICHMOND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FEES 2020-2021
WELL FEES
- Well Permit (Layout, Inspections, and Full Panel Test Water Sampling, up to 3 times as needed ) $325.00
- Well Abandonment Permit N/C
- Re-issue Expired Well Permit (w/o site visit) $50.00
Water Sampling
- Each Bacteriological Sample (Total Coliform/E.coli.) $50.00
- Each Inorganic Panel (Metals, Anions, Nitrate/Nitrite) $75.00
- Each Nitrate/Nitrite Sample $35.00
- Each Pesticide, Petroleum, Volatile Organic Chemical, or any other sample $75.00
Monitoring Permits
- Monitoring Permit (Borings which penetrate Groundwater) $50.00
- Federal & State Government Sections drilling Monitoring Wells may be waived provided that site information is shared.
To submit a printable well application, download and complete the application. Once application is complete, return all documents to Richmond County Health Department at 127 Caroline Street.
When submitting your well application a preliminary site plan is required. A site plan includes the following:
- Lot lines with dimensions shown.
- All proposed structures (home, buildings, pool) with the distance measured from two sides of the structure to the property lines or lot corners.
- Proposed driveways must be identified.
- Locations of any existing or proposed well, onsite wastewater systems, or easements.
- Road name must be shown.
Well records can be viewed online using the onsite wastewater portal. If your record can not be located, you may request a copy from Richmond County Health Department, Environmental Health Section at 910-997-8320. It may be difficult to find the record of older structured homes prior to 1950.
Radionuclides are trace elements that occur naturally in rocks and soil from the decay of radioactive decay of uranium-238 and thorium-232. There is limited data in North Carolina on the occurrence of radionuclides. Long-term exposure to radionuclides may increase a person’s risk of developing cancer. Well water testing can identify radionuclides. If elevated, a treatment system can be installed by a certified installer to remove radionuclides from the water.