Subdivision 1. Permit. (a) Notwithstanding any department or agency rule to the contrary, the commissioner shall issue, on request by the owner of the property and payment of the permit fee, permits for the reinjection of water by a properly constructed well into the same aquifer from which the water was drawn for the operation of a groundwater thermal exchange device.
(b) As a condition of the permit, an applicant must agree to allow inspection by the commissioner during regular working hours for department inspectors.
(c) Not more than 200 permits may be issued for small systems having maximum capacities of 20 gallons per minute or less. The small systems are subject to inspection twice a year.
(d) Not more than ten permits may be issued for larger systems having maximum capacities from 20 to 50 gallons per minute. The larger systems are subject to inspection four times a year.
(e) A person issued a permit must comply with this section for the permit to be valid.
Subd. 2. Water-use requirements apply. Water-use permit requirements and penalties under chapter 103F and related rules adopted and enforced by the commissioner of natural resources apply to groundwater thermal exchange permit recipients. A person who violates a provision of this section is subject to enforcement or penalties for the noncomplying activity that are available to the commissioner and the Pollution Control Agency.
Subd. 3. Construction requirements. (a) Withdrawal and reinjection for the groundwater thermal exchange device must be accomplished by a closed system in which the waters drawn for thermal exchange do not have contact or commingle with water from other sources or with polluting material or substances. The closed system must be constructed to allow an opening for inspection by the commissioner.
(b) Wells that are part of a groundwater thermal exchange system may not serve another function, except water may be supplied to the domestic water system if:
(1) the supply is taken from the thermal exchange system ahead of the heat exchange unit; and
(2) the domestic water system is protected by an airgap or backflow prevention device as described in rules relating to plumbing enforced by the commissioner of labor and industry.
(c) A groundwater thermal exchange system may be used for domestic water heating only if the water heating device is an integral part of the heat exchange unit that is used for space heating and cooling.
Subd. 4. Rules. The commissioner may adopt rules to administer this section.
1989 c 326 art 3 s 38; 1991 c 355 s 43; 2007 c 140 art 12 s 2
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapter 103I — Wells, Borings, And Underground Uses
Section 103I.001 — Legislative Intent.
Section 103I.005 — Definitions.
Section 103I.101 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner Of Health.
Section 103I.103 — Waste Prevention May Be Required.
Section 103I.105 — Advisory Council On Wells And Borings.
Section 103I.111 — Local Authority Over Wells And Borings.
Section 103I.113 — Applicability To Mining Activities.
Section 103I.115 — Compliance With This Chapter Required.
Section 103I.205 — Well Construction.
Section 103I.208 — Notification Filing Fees And Permit Fees.
Section 103I.221 — Plastic Casings.
Section 103I.231 — Commissioner May Order Repairs.
Section 103I.235 — Real Property Sale; Disclosure Of Location Of Wells.
Section 103I.236 — Well Disclosure In Washington County.
Section 103I.241 — Action For Well Contamination.
Section 103I.301 — Well Sealing Requirements.
Section 103I.311 — Identification And Sealing Of Wells On State Property.
Section 103I.315 — Orders To Seal Wells And Borings.
Section 103I.325 — Landowner Sealed Well And Boring Liability.
Section 103I.335 — Funding For Persons To Seal Wells.
Section 103I.341 — Collection And Enforcement Of Well Sealing Costs.
Section 103I.345 — Well And Boring Sealing Account.
Section 103I.401 — Elevator Borings.
Section 103I.501 — Licensing And Regulation Of Wells And Borings.
Section 103I.505 — Reciprocity Of Licenses And Registrations.
Section 103I.515 — Licenses Not Transferable.
Section 103I.525 — Well Contractor's License; Representative's Certification.
Section 103I.531 — Limited Well/boring Contractor's License; Representative's Certification.
Section 103I.535 — Elevator Boring Contractor's License; Representative's Certification.
Section 103I.541 — Environmental Well Contractor's Registration; Representative's Certification.
Section 103I.545 — Registration Of Drilling Machines And Hoists Required.
Section 103I.550 — Limited Pump, Pitless, Or Dug Well/drive Point Contractor.
Section 103I.601 — Exploratory Boring Procedures.
Section 103I.605 — Submission Of Data From Exploratory Borings.
Section 103I.621 — Permits For Groundwater Thermal Exchange Devices.
Section 103I.641 — Bored Geothermal Heat Exchangers.
Section 103I.661 — Mined Underground Space Development.
Section 103I.681 — Permit For Underground Storage Of Gas Or Liquid.
Section 103I.685 — Abandonment Of Underground Storage Project.
Section 103I.691 — Certificate Of Use.