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The rule adoption amended two existing regulations, Chapter 173-160 WAC, Minimum Standards for Construction and Maintenance of Wells, and Chapter 173-162 WAC, Rules and Regulations Governing the Regulation and Licensing of Well Contractors and Operators. The standards for well construction (Chapter 173-160 WAC) identify specific construction requirements that all wells must meet in order to protect public health, safety, and welfare as well as to protect the ground water resource. The licensing rule (Chapter 173-162 WAC) provides for the administration of the licensing of Washington State well drillers.
The changes to the standards for well construction and driller licensing are in part required by legislative changes to the drilling statute, Chapter 18.104 RCW, in part to maintain consistency with the drilling statute, in part to remain current with changes in drilling technology, in part based on driller request, and in part to clarify the existing rules.
Revisions to the standards for well construction include changes to the definition section; expansion of some of the technical areas; statutory changes in drilling fees; and improvement to the organization of certain sections. With the exception of licensing fees, changes to the licensing regulations are all required by statute. They include the development of rules to conduct an annual review of those counties that have delegated authority to inspect wells; development of a retirement license; adjustment to the licensing fees; and clarification and improvement to the current continuing education program.
Ecology′s Water Resources Program will be the lead in implementing and enforcing these rules. Implementation and enforcement be done by regional coordinators in Ecology′s four regional offices and by county inspectors in the sixteen counties that have authority for delegation of the well inspection program
Water Resources
Program
P.O. Box 47600
Olympia, Washington 98504-7600
Ecology Home > Water Resources > Wells - Licensing, Construction and Reporting > Rule Adoption - Chapters 173-160 WAC and 173-162 WAC
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