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On December 19, 2008, Ecology adopted amendments to Chapter 173-160 WAC: Minimum Standards for Construction and Maintenance of Wells. These changes go into effect January 19, 2009.
Chapter 173-160 WAC - Minimum Standards for Construction and Maintenance of Water Wells - includes links to all rule documents including the CR-103, Cost Benefit Analysis, Concise Explanatory Statement, Implementation Plan, and Rule adoption notice. Ecology issued a Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS) under the State Environmental Policy Act. A Small Business Economic Impact Statement was not prepared as this rule amendment is exempt under RCW 18.85.020(2) and RCW 18.85.030.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises drilling contractors in the Tacoma area that suspension of drilling should continue in areas affected by contamination from the Lakewood/Ponders Corner Superfund Site. The affected aquifer is located south of Tacoma in Pierce County.
For additional information specific to well drilling in the state, use the side navigation bar on this page for links to:
Laws and Rules specific to Well Construction
Well Report Search and Retrieve application - Using the tools in this application you can search for your well or wells in the area using text or map search features
Ecology Contacts and County Delegated Contacts
Use the links below to download the information that meets your needs:
Frequently Asked Questions: Ground source heat pump boring April 2009
Frequently Asked Questions: Dewatering Wells April 2009
Frequently Asked Questions: Resource Protection Wells April 2009
Well Construction and Licensing System - Link to the WCLS database
Notice of Intent for Well Construction and Decommissioning - Link to the Forms page
County Delegated Contacts - includes link to the 2008 Annual Report
Drilling Fees - Questions and Answers - A fee is required by the State of Washington to construct or reconstruct water and resource protection wells.
Well Tagging Requirements - Licensed drillers in the State of Washington are required to tag all new or reconstructed wells.
Request For Variance - Problems and Solutions - A variance is written permission to use a pre-approved alternative method of well construction. The most common types of variances requested are for locating an individual domestic well closer than 1,000 feet to a landfill or for a well less than 100 feet from a septic system, drainfield, or any potential source of contamination.
Surface Seals - Problems and Solutions - This pamphlet educates the public about the importance of proper surface seals on wells. Well drillers use casing, typically steel, to keep drilled holes from collapsing. If just the native materials are allowed to fill in around the casing, a conduit for water can form on the outside of the casing, so that dirty water can travel down the casing and into your well. To prevent this, a surface seal is used.
Wells Caps - Problems and Solutions - The purpose of this pamphlet is to educate the public about proper installation of well caps. Wells that are not in use, or will be temporarily out of service are required to be securely capped so that contamination can not enter the well (173-160-085 WAC). Well capping is one aspect of this state's well construction standards that Ecology's inspectors look for, and something that homeowners and drillers alike should take seriously. A proper well cap will help ensure your family's safety and is instrumental in making sure that contamination doesn't enter a well from the top.
Abandoned Wells - Problems and Solutions - It is not uncommon in Washington state to find old wells which are no longer usable. These are called abandoned wells. The most common type of abandoned well is the shallow dug type. Abandoned wells can pose safety and environmental problems, and are required to be properly decommissioned as soon as possible. Closing down an old well is called decommissioning. This brochure discusses how to locate abandoned wells, what dangers they pose, and the process used in decommissioning one.
Guide to Water Operator License Program - There are several types of drilling licenses available under Washington's new well construction regulations.
On-site Testing for Licensed Well Operators - This publication provides questions and answers related to the new requirements for drillers to be tested on a drill rig (on-site) before obtaining a license.
Working with Ecology - Staying in Compliance - Ecology's goal is to serve the people of Washington State and to protect the environment. Sometimes, this places us in the role of enforcer of laws and regulations. The goal of enforcement is to help achieve compliance, not punish violators. This focus sheet describes enforcement tools Ecology uses and how to respond.
In April, 2005, Gov Christine Gregoire signed a new law that updates the fee structure for water wells, and adds a fee for decommissioning wells. This is the first time the fee structure has been amended since adoption in 1993. The statute will also add definitions for Ground Source Heat Pump Borings and Grounding Wells that will soon become regulated.
Other changes include: Adding or modifying the delegation authority, complaint, continuing education and reporting provisions; providing a suspension period at the end of a license term if license renewal is not completed; and modifying the technical advisory group composition provisions.
Well operators have been required to obtain continuing education since 1998. Mandatory continuing education has opened the door in allowing drillers to stay informed of industry changes and technological advances. It also allows for networking among the drilling industry professionals where ideas, concerns and issues are raised and resolved.
Drillers must send proof of continuing education at the time of application for a new license or renewal of an existing license to Ecology. For a new license, please read the Guide to Water Operator License Program for specific dates to send proof of continuing education. If you are currently licensed, check your drilling license for the date of expiration. You must send proof of continuing education prior to this date.
For more specific details on continuing education please read Continuing Education of Licensed Well Operators.
Mail your proof of continuing education to:
Marian Bruner
Department of Ecology, HQ
Post Office Box 47600
Olympia, WA 98504-7600
Continuing Education Preferred Providers - Ecology has revised WAC 173-160 and WAC 173-162 (the construction and licensing rules). As part of the changes to the licensing rule, all Continuing Education classes must be given by a Preferred Provider.
Listings of approved continuing education courses (updated as new courses are approved) are included in the following links:
If you are looking for continuing education opportunities or need to find out if a drilling company is licensed and bonded, we now have a link to the Washington State Labor and Industries Web site.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
