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Information for Property Owners
Well Construction Information for Property Owners
The following information is provided to help property owners make informed decisions before drilling a new well or decommissioning (filling in) an old well.
Important Information for Private Well Owners
- Many contaminants
can′t be identified by taste, color, odor or clarity. Therefore, the state
Department of Health (DOH) says regular water testing is very important.
Before you start the process,
please open and read the
Homeowner's Guide to Well
Construction. It includes
information
about well drilling and the Washington State Well Drilling
Regulations. It is important that you meet all the requirements for new or
decommissioned wells.
-
Drilling Your Own Well – Although not recommended, if you choose to not
use a licensed driller, we have information on drilling your own well.
Whether you use a licensed driller or not, there will be well drilling fees.
-
Drilling Fees - Questions and Answers - A fee is required by the State
of Washington to construct or reconstruct water and resource protection
wells, or to decommission a well no longer in use.
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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 hazards,
and are required to be properly decommissioned (closed down) as soon as
possible. This brochure discusses how to locate abandoned wells, what
dangers they pose, and the process used in decommissioning one.
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Ecology News Release
- Ecology publication provides guidance on capping abandoned wells that pose
a hazard to children, pets - July 28, 2011
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Notice of Intent for Well Construction and Decommissioning – This form
must be completed and submitted to Ecology by you or your well driller.
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Well Tagging Requirements - All new or reconstructed wells must be
properly tagged. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to place a well
identification tag on every well they own.
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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 100 feet from a septic system or any potential
source of contamination.
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Surface Seals - Problems and Solutions - This pamphlet discusses 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.
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Washington Well Construction Act – Washington State’s well-drilling
laws. Chapter 18.104 RCW. (In particular, refer to
RCW 18.104.055).
State Water Use Laws: The Ground Water Permit Exemption RCW 90.44.050
The groundwater permit exemption allows
the users of small quantities of ground water to construct wells and develop
their water supplies without first obtaining a water right permit from
Ecology.
Washington State Labor and Industries Provides Information on Drillers
If you need to find
out if a drilling company is licensed and bonded, use the links below:
Additional Information Specific
to Well Drilling in Washington State
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
County Delegated Contacts
- for well sealing and decommissioning
