General location of water wells.
Riverside Municipal Code § 6.28.150
in effect6.28.150 - General location of water wells.
It shall be unlawful for any person or entity to drill, dig, excavate or bore any water well at any location where sources of pollution or contamination are known to exist or have existed, or where substantial risk exists that water from that location may become contaminated or polluted even though the well may be properly constructed and maintained. Exceptions to the above include the following:
1. Extraction wells used for the purpose of extracting and treating water from a contaminated aquifer.
2. Wells from which water is to be treated to meet all State Department of Health standards and requirements.
3. Wells from which water will be blended with other water sources resulting in water that meets all State Department of Health standards and requirements.
Every well shall be located an adequate distance from all potential sources of contamination and pollution as follows:
Sewer | 50-foot minimum
Watertight septic tank | 100-foot minimum
Subsurface sewage leach line or leach field | 100-foot minimum
Cesspool or seepage pit | 150-foot minimum
Animal or fowl enclosures | 100-foot minimum
Any surface sewage disposal system discharging 2,000 gal/day or more | 200-foot minimum
Minimum distances from other sources of pollution or contamination shall be as determined by the Department upon investigation and analysis of the probable risks involved. Where particularly adverse or special hazards are involved as determined by the Health Department, the foregoing instances may be increased or specially approved means of protection, particularly in the construction of the well, may be required as determined by the Department.
(Ord. 5815 § 1, 1990)
Source: City of Riverside, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/riverside/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_TIT6HESA_CH6.28WAOTWE_6.28.150GELOWAWEFetched: 11/1/2026