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A. Purpose. To establish specific regulations governing the use of Geothermal Heat Pump Systems within the various districts.

B. Limitation. Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems may be installed in any district in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5-130.1. Open Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems are prohibited in the City.

C. Setback. No portion of any Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump System shall be located closer than ten feet (10') from any front, side or rear property line and from any underground structure or utility line.

D. Heat Transfer Fluid. Propylene glycol is the only heat transfer fluid approved for use in Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems within the City.

E. Construction Standards. Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems may be installed either horizontally in ground trenches or vertically in borehole(s) in accordance with the following standards:

1. Piping. Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems must utilize high density polyethylene loop piping joined by heat fusion, or other piping material that has been approved by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”). Piping must have a standard dimension ratio of at least eleven (SDR 11) and a pressure rating of one-hundred sixty pounds per square inch (160 PSI). Before grouting or backfilling installed piping, the piping must be pressure tested with water at one hundred pounds per square inch (100 PSI) for at least one (1) hour with no leaks. Piping must be capped prior to backfilling or grouting.

2. Vertical Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. The following additional requirements apply to the construction and installation of vertical Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems:

(a) Prior to beginning any construction activity, the contractor must provide to the City Administrator or his or her designee the following: (i) a copy of the contractor’s Kansas water well contractor’s license; (ii) a completed City permit application; (iii) a site plan that marks the borehole(s) and the location of all buried utility lines, underground drainage and/or irrigation systems, and any other underground structures; and (iv) the nearest location and depth where oil, gas, or salt-water bearing zone has been encountered based on information provided by the Kansas Corporation Commission District #3 Field Office and/or the KDHE Technical Assistance Bulletin – Geothermal Wells and The Potential to Encounter Oil and Gas or Saltwater Bearing Zones.

(b) During drilling of the vertical borehole(s), a construction fence must be installed around drilling activities. Grouting of the vertical borehole(s) must utilize grout mixtures approved by KDHE. If an aquifer is penetrated during drilling, the vertical borehole(s) must be grouted from the bottom to the top within twenty-four (24) hours thereafter.

(c) Upon completion of construction, the contractor must provide to the City Administrator or his or her designee a copy of the Water Well Record (Form WWC-5) that is submitted to KDHE and that contains the following information: (i) property owner information; (ii) location of borehole(s); (iii) depth and diameter of completed borehole(s); (iv) depth(s) of groundwater encountered; (v) well water use; (vi) casing or loop piping details, including material and diameter; (vii) grout material(s) used and interval(s) grouted; (viii) nearest source of possible contamination; and (ix) lithologic log of borehole(s).

3. Horizontal Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems. Ground trenches utilized for horizontal Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump Systems must be backfilled such that the bottom four inches (4") consists of clean soil with no rocks or large clumps, and the bottom twelve inches (12") must be water soaked.

F. Decommissioning. A City permit is required prior to decommissioning a Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump System. To decommission the Closed Loop Geothermal Heat Pump System, the heat transfer fluid must first be removed and properly disposed in accordance with KDHE regulations. After removal of the heat transfer fluid, the loop piping must be cut off five feet (5') below the surface, filled with grout mixture that has been approved by KDHE for this purpose, and sealed with a permanent fusion cap. Following these decommissioning procedures, the excavation site must be filled and leveled. [Ord. 1472, 05-08-17.]