MONROE - The Green County Board of Supervisors put a little more authority into an ordinance that deals with private wells Tuesday.
Green County Land Conservationist Todd Jenson told the board changes were needed because for too long people have failed to fill in abandoned wells.
"When a new well is put in, the homeowner says he will fill in the old one, but the old one then goes unfilled," Jenson said. "This change gives a little more teeth to the ordinance."
The ordinance requires all unused wells on a property be permanently abandoned within 30 days after a new well is drilled.
In addition, well drillers must submit a notice to the Green County Department of Land Conservation for any well that isn't properly abandoned.
People who fail to properly fill in their old wells could be charged up to $200 a day until the well is closed.
The board voted unanimously to make the changes to the ordinance.
Green County Land Conservationist Todd Jenson told the board changes were needed because for too long people have failed to fill in abandoned wells.
"When a new well is put in, the homeowner says he will fill in the old one, but the old one then goes unfilled," Jenson said. "This change gives a little more teeth to the ordinance."
The ordinance requires all unused wells on a property be permanently abandoned within 30 days after a new well is drilled.
In addition, well drillers must submit a notice to the Green County Department of Land Conservation for any well that isn't properly abandoned.
People who fail to properly fill in their old wells could be charged up to $200 a day until the well is closed.
The board voted unanimously to make the changes to the ordinance.