HomeMy WebLinkAboutACSA200900001 Correspondence 2009-02-11 /"_. R •1,401
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COMMONWEALTH of VIRQINIA
In Cooperation with the Thomas Jefferson Health District ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE
State Department of Health FLUVANNACOUNTY(PALMYRA)
1138 Rose Hill Drive GREENE COUNTY(STANARDSVILLE)
LOUISA COUNTY(LOUISA)
Office of Environmental Health P. O. Box 7546 NELSON COUNTY(LOVINGSTON)
Phone(434)972-6259
Fax (434)972-6221 Charlottesville,Virginia 22906
February 10, 2009 •,12, -
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John Chavan FEB 11 2009
1137 East Keswick Drive
Keswick, VA 22947
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RE: Health Department I.D.Number: 101-09-0041
Tax Map: 78-36
Albemarle County,Virginia
Dear Mr. Chavan,
Your application to construct a new well filed on February 6, 2009 with the Virginia Department of Health was reviewed
in accordance with the requirements contained in the Code of Virginia, Section 32.1-164,the Private Well Regulations,
and current agency policy and procedures for processing applications for private wells.
On February 6,2009,you came to the Albemarle Health Department in person and informed me that you had been
running out of water on a frequent basis. You went on to say that a State approved lab had confirmed the presence of
E coli Bacteria and that you believed the water had a pronounced petroleum smell. I informed you that it would be a good
idea to drill a new well in a different location and you later submitted an application to do so.
On that same day,I made a site visit to your property for the purpose of fmding a suitable location for a new well to be
drilled. Upon arriving on the site,you showed me your existing well in a sub grade vault approximately ten(10) feet from
your house. I then asked to smell the water from your kitchen tap,and upon doing so,confirmed the obvious smell of a
petroleum product. Upon evaluating the site further up the hill behind your house,houses were noted to either side of
your property. After asking you where other neighboring wells were located, you informed me that your neighbors had
drilled several dry wells in the past few years and that the County had allowed them to connect to the public connection.
Based upon the information gathered on that day,I am denying your request to drill a new well and recommend
that you connect to the Albemarle County Service Authority Public Water line if you are able to do so. This decision is
based on the fact that the contamination and its movement cannot be positively understood without further study of the
underlying geology and what sources of potential contamination reside on surrounding parcels. Due to the possible
contamination of your well water with petroleum,I recommend that you stay at a friends or neighbor's house until the
situation is remedied. If you must stay at your residence,I strongly recommend that you and your family not ingest any
water that comes from your well.You should drink bottled water and should use this bottled water for tooth brushing.
If accordance with the Virginia Administrative Process Act,Chapter 1.1:1 and T.—..2.1-164.1 of the Code of Virginia,
this is to inform you of your right to appeal the decision specified in this letter. If you desire to pursue your right of
appeal,you may at your discretion be represented by counsel.The first step in the appeal process is to submit a written
request within 30 days of receipt of this letter a letter to Dr. Lilian Peake.All of the facts and other information which
would support your request for an appeals review should be included.
If this office may be of further service to you,please let us know.
Sincerely,
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Josh Kirtley
Environmental Health Specialist Senior