An ordinance that would regulate well drilling in West Penn Township, advertised to be adopted on Monday, needs further revisions before being approved.

The township supervisors agreed to table action on the well ordinance until it compares what is proposed in West Penn to an ordinance that exists in neighboring Lynn Township in Lehigh County.Attorney Holly Heintzelman told the supervisors that the ordinance was advertised to be adopted and any delay would mean readvertising. Township treasurer Patricia Nothstein said the recent advertising for the well ordinance adoption had cost $362.95.James Dean, chairman of the board of supervisors, told the solicitor, "I understand and I want to make sure we do this one right."Anthony Prudenti, the vice chairman, agreed, and said they just copy of the Lynn Township ordinance and want to compare them.At the onset of the meeting, township resident David Lapinsky raised several questions about the ordinance.One of his concerns is if a new well tests positive for coliform.The supervisors indicated there are more regulations pertaining to well water than just the ordinance.Dean said the water must be certified for human consumption.Heintzelman said the ordinance determines if a permit is issued for drilling a well."We're not guaranteeing you can use the well," she said.Prudenti said water extraction can be for purposes other than consumption, such as agriculture.Lapinsky also had questions about geothermal systems but the township's engineer, William P. Anders, said these are governed by the Uniformed Construction Code.A question arose from Lapinsky about companies extracting from deep water wells. Prudenti responded that this is covered by the township's extraction ordinance.Lapinsky suggested that the township develop a steering committee that devises a strategic water use plan in the township."We don't know what's happening to the aquifers and how quickly the aquifers are running out of water," he said.When it came time for action on adopting the well drilling ordinance, supervisor Theodore Bogosh III said he is concerned about the terminology regarding abandoned wells.He said a problem would arise if a well is dug for a house and it turns out the house isn't built for several years.In addition, if a property is being sold, the well might be considered abandoned if the property was vacated for more than a year. This would make the home more difficult to sell.Heintzelman said the main reason for the ordinance is so the township knows who is drilling wells. Under the ordinance, the township would have to be notified of any new wells.Dean said, as he ended discussion on the matter, "Obviously this needs some more work."