{"id":2728,"date":"2022-09-28T20:04:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-28T20:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waterdefense.org\/?p=2728"},"modified":"2022-09-28T20:04:04","modified_gmt":"2022-09-28T20:04:04","slug":"is-it-legal-to-drill-your-own-well","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waterdefense.org\/water\/well\/is-it-legal-to-drill-your-own-well\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Legal to Drill Your Own Well? We Dissect The Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Private wells are an alternative clean water source for those who can’t get access to tap water or are tired of paying huge monthly water utility bills. <\/p>

Most wells have been in existence for decades<\/a> and are often inherited upon the purchase of a new house\/property, however, it’s also possible for houses and facilities without an existing well to drill one for themselves. If you’re considering drilling your own private well, you need to first be informed of the local and statewide regulations governing private wells. <\/p>

Drilling a Private Well is Legal<\/h2>

Generally speaking, yes, you can drill a well on your private property. Many US states allow homeowners to drill their own well as long as they have an approved permit and\/or license from the state and local authorities.<\/strong><\/p>

\"Contractors
Contractors Drilling a Well<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Each state has its own requirements that must be met before a permit can be issued. The process of getting a permit involves submitting an application for the permit, detailing the purpose of the well, and getting approval from local offices if required. You may also be required to pay a permit application fee.<\/p>

Some states also require you to have a license before you can dig a well in your property. A well-digging license should not be confused with a permit. The permit is a document that allows you to have a well on your property. The license proves that you have hired a contractor that is fit to perform the task. If the state demands a license, you must hire a licensed contractor to drill the well.<\/p>

Further Regulations & Requirements to Note<\/h3>

Depending on the state laws, you may need to obtain separate permits from your local health district or health department, engineer’s office, department of environmental control, and other local and statewide authorities.<\/p>

Even after getting the permit, you also need to adhere to safety laws that regulate the size, depth, and shape of your well<\/a>. Furthermore, you may need to purchase water rights<\/a> depending on the state regulations.<\/p>

Water rights are legal rights that authorizes entities such as property owners and private companies to use, divert or manage water. It regulates how public and private landowners use water from a specified source. While surface water belong to the public, groundwater rights changes from state to state<\/a>. Most states allow homeowners free to use access to the body of water within their property.<\/p>

Urban areas often require additional pump and filter systems regulation, since the groundwater is often contaminated and if not properly drilled, can pose a health hazard to other well owners in the vicinity.<\/p>

As you can probably tell by now, there are many things to consider. Luckily, we prepared a table that shows all the essential information you need, including a state-by-state rundown of the necessary permits.<\/p>

What You Need To Drill Your Own Well<\/h2>

Here is a helpful table that shows the state-by-state regulations and costs of drilling a residential well. Note that this only applies to wells for private use, and not commercial wells.<\/p>