ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Groundwater Management Support Section
500 North Third Street, Phoenix, Arizona 85004-3903
(602) 417-2470
Website: www.water.az.gov

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO DRILLING A WELL IN ARIZONA

The Arizona Department of Water Resources administers the Groundwater
Management Code, a comprehensive regulatory mechanism that governs the use
of groundwater.

Accordingly, ADWR regulates all groundwater wells in Arizona. Well
regulations are vital to the proper management and protection of our
groundwater. The well construction standards contained in the Code help
prevent contamination of your well and the surrounding groundwater.

Before Drilling a Well
First, will your planned well be located in one of the five Active
Management Areas (AMAs)? In these areas, strict regulations govern
groundwater use. The five Active Management Areas - Phoenix, Tucson, Pinal,
Prescott and Santa Cruz- are shown on the map below. Generally, These areas
are defined by groundwater basins and not the political boundaries of
cities, towns and counties. Contact ADWR if you are not sure whether your
proposed well is located within an AMA.

Next, will your well be exempt or non-exempt. Regulations differ depending
on the type of well. Generally, exempt wells are less regulated than
non-exempt wells.

An exempt well has a maximum pump capacity of 35 gallons per minute. Typical
uses include non-irrigation purposes, noncommercial irrigation of less than
2 acres of land, and watering stock. Most exempt wells are used for
residences and are more than adequate for household use. In AMAs, new exempt
wells used for non-residential purposes can withdraw a maximum of 10
acre-feet per year.
A non-exempt well has a pump capacity exceeding 35 gallons per minute. This
type of well is generally used for irrigation or industry. Because
non-exempt wells may be subject to special requirements, you should contact
ADWR for more information if you are planning to drill a non-exempt well.
Now, you are ready to choose a well driller and apply with ADWR for
authority to drill. There are two types of applications for drilling
authority:
+ A Notice of Intention to Drill form (NOI) must be filed for all wells
outside AMAs and exempt wells inside AMAs.
+ An Application for a Drilling Permit is required for non-exempt wells
inside AMAs.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS (Notice of Intent to Drill - NOI)
Before installing a new well, you must receive authority to drill from ADWR
and file information explaining how the well will be constructed. Most
people will need to file a Notice of Intention to Drill form (NOI). The
application procedure includes the following steps:

1. Submit a Notice of Intention to Drill (NOI)
The information you need to furnish with the NOI includes:
+ your name, address and telephone number
+ county assessor's parcel identification information
+ the location of the proposed well by legal description
+ a description of the proposed well to include an explanation of how you
intend to use the water from the well
+ the name, address, and license number of the well drilling firm
Payment of filing fees will also be necessary when you file your NOI. Please
note, processing an NOI takes at least two weeks.

If the well is intended for non-domestic purposes as defined in Title 45-454,
or it will be used for domestic purposes and the size of the property upon
which the well will be constructed exceeds 20 acres, the NOI shall be filed
with the Director of Water Resources.

If the well is intended for domestic purposes as defined in Title 45-454, and
the size of the property upon which the well will be constructed is less
than 20 acres, the NOI and site plan must be submitted to the county or
local health authority to ensure compliance with well siting and septic tank
separation requirements. File the NOI in duplicate with a site plan. The
site plan must:
+ Include the county assessor's parcel identification number
+ Show the proposed well location and location of any septic tank or
sewer system that is either located on the property or within one
hundred feet of the proposed well site.

If the proposed well location meets State and local requirements, the health
authority will then forward the NOI to ADWR for review.
If the health authority can not determine whether the proposed well location
complies with State and local requirements, it makes a note on the site plan
and on the NOI and forwards the copies of the NOI and site plan to ADWR for
review.
If the various factors prevent the well from being drilled in accordance
with State and local requirements, the property owner may apply for a
variance. You may request a variance from ADWR, or the county or local
authorities, depending on the steward of the legal element that prevents the
well from being drilled.

Filing a Notice of Intent automatically registers your well. Well
registration benefits water users in the following ways:
+ Well registration serves as evidence of your historical claim to use
groundwater.
+ Helps with notification if groundwater becomes contaminated in your
area.
+ ADWR can protect your well when granting permits for new wells in an
AMA. (A concentration of wells can adversely affect well yields.)

1. Receive Authorization to Drill
ADWR will give your well driller a drilling card authorizing the
drilling of your well. This card must be in the well driller's
possession before drilling can begin and at all times during the actual
work. The card lists the drilling firm, the license number, and the
location of the well. The drilling firm listed on the card must be the
firm that constructs your well. Once the card has been issued,
selecting another drilling firm will require that a change of driller
request form be submitted to ADWR, along with a filling fee.

2. Complete the Well Driller's Report
The driller must complete a well driller's report, including a well log. The
well log contains information that will be important when doing work on your
well in the future. The information required includes:
+ the depth of the well
+ the depth to the water
+ the type and size of casing, and
+ the kind of material used in well construction.

While the well is being constructed, you should check the driller's records
to make sure that the casing length, well depth, and well yield test results
are reported accurately. (The well yield test determines the quantity of
water your well can produce.)

1. File the Completion Report
You must file a Completion Report within 30 days of equipping the well with
a pump. There is not a time limit for completing pump installation but you
cannot leave a drilled hole open. ADWR will mail the Completion Report forms
to you after you file a Notice of Intent. Your pump installer should be able
to help you complete the report. The information you need for this report
includes the type of pump installed, the pump capacity, and the results from
the well yield test.

LOCATING A WELL
An important factor to consider when constructing a well is where to locate
it. You will probably want to put your well close to where you will use the
water and close to a power source. This will reduce your construction and
energy costs.

To protect the quality of your water, the state has adopted rules about well
location. All wells must be at least 100 feet from septic tanks or sewage
disposal areas. Check with your neighbors to make sure your proposed well is
at least 100 feet away from their septic systems. It is preferable to locate
a well uphill from septic systems and as far away as practical. Before
drilling you should also check to see if your county health department has
additional regulations affecting well location.

Here are three recommendations about locating your well:
1. It is important to direct surface water drainage away from your well.
If it is located on a hill, divert the up slope drainage around or away
from the well. It is preferable not to drill your well in an area that
floods. If you must, take extra precautions to protect it, such as
installing a pitless adaptor which allows you to pump and pipe water
under the ground.
2. You should leave enough room around your well for easy access during
drilling, maintenance, repair and testing.
3. It is preferable to locate your well as far away from neighboring wells
as possible. Wells that are close together can interfere with each
other, producing less water. You can contact ADWR's Water Rights
Records Section to find the locations of other wells in your area.

CHOOSING MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
Factory-made equipment and materials should be used if you want a good
quality well.

A factory-made perforated casing or well screen is especially important,
since a poorly made perforated casing or well screen may permit sand or mud
to enter the well, or not permit enough water into the well for it to work
properly.

The pump is a very important component of the well system and should be
selected carefully. The pump size should be based on the well casing size
and the quantity of water needed. If you choose a pump with a capacity
greater than the well yield, you may get muddy or sandy water or the well
and pump may fail. When selecting a pump, choose a design that will produce
enough water yet will keep energy use to a minimum. Consult with your pump
installer to select the best equipment for your needs. When installing new
pump equipment, be sure to obtain a copy of the warranty covering the pump.
Many well owners opt for systems to store water pumped during times of low
demand. A storage system will allow you to meet your peak water demands if
your pump capacity is not sufficient. A pump installer can help you plan a
system that incorporates water storage.

SELECTING A WELL DRILLER
You may wish to talk with several drillers before selecting one. When
talking with drillers, ask for the names of former customers in your area.
Find out if they were satisfied with the driller's work.
You should also ask the driller questions about the work that will be
completed and the payment of fees. Will you receive a written agreement or
contract that spells out an understanding of the work to be done? Does the
contract include all the details and costs (including materials) of the well
construction? A written contract can help avoid costly misunderstandings.
Make sure the driller you intend to hire is licensed. All well drillers must
be licensed by both ADWR and the State Registrar of Contractors (ROC.) You
can find out if a specific driller is licensed by contacting ADWR or the
Registrar of Contractors. The category of license required by the ROC for
residential or domestic water wells is a C-53.

Before signing a contract with a well driller, you should read it carefully
to make sure it includes:
+ a cost estimate, including materials and labor charges
+ a target date for completing the well
+ detailed well specifications, such as diameter and depth
+ specific information about the surface seal
+ the driller's plans for developing the well
+ the method to be used for the yield test
+ the kinds of materials to be installed, such as the type and quality of
casing; the drive shoe, if necessary; the type and quality of well
screen; the pump (if your driller is providing the pump); and all other
pieces of equipment
+ procedures and costs for abandoning or permanently closing the well if
it cannot be used

CHECKING WELL INSTALLATION
There are four major steps involved in constructing a well:
1. drilling the hole
2. installing the casing
3. well development; and
4. pump installation or capping. The diagram on the last page shows a
typical domestic well.

You should monitor your driller's work throughout construction. Make sure
your well is equipped with a proper surface seal as required by Arizona's
well construction rules. A proper surface seal consists of a steel casing
extending from one foot above ground level to a depth of 20 feet surrounded
by cement grout. The grout is used to seal the casing so contaminants cannot
enter the well from the surface. The state has established a minimum
standard of 1.5 inches of cement grout poured in the space between the
borehole wall and the casing in one continuous application from a minimum
depth of 20 feet to the land surface.

Make sure your driller properly develops and disinfects your well. Well
development involves removing the drill cuttings and drilling materials from
the well to make the water suitable for use. A well that has been properly
drilled and developed should produce water free of sand and mud. To
disinfect a well, chlorine must be added. Various methods can be used to do
this. However, with any procedure the concentration of chlorine in the well
should be at least 50 milligrams per liter. This work should be performed by
your licensed driller.

Once drilling is completed and the rig is moved off the site, your well must
be protected by covering the drill hole to prevent contaminants from
entering the well and to help prevent water waste. This requires either
installing a pump or sealing the well with a watertight cap. Upon completion
of drilling and removal of the drilling rig, the well must be in one of the
following conditions:
+ equipped with a pump
+ capped, or
+ abandoned

Capping will not prevent you from using your well later. Abandoning your
well means to take it out of service permanently. Usually, a well is
abandoned because it does not produce sufficient amounts of water or it
produces poor quality water. Procedures for abandonment are discussed later.

KEEPING YOUR WELL SAFE
After well construction is completed and the surface seal is in place, a few
simple steps will help keep your well in safe operating condition. Before
you use your well for drinking water, you should have the water analyzed for
bacteriological and chemical qualities. Independent laboratories can perform
these tests. It is also good to have your water analyzed for
bacteriological quality each year and for chemical quality every three
years. Changes in water quality could indicate defects in the well system.

Protecting the quality of your water is extremely important. Do not store
poisons, pesticides, or other hazardous materials in your pump house or near
your well. An accidental spill could contaminate the well and the aquifer.
Never use your well as a place to dispose of anything. You should keep
records of all work done on your well. If you lose your well records, ADWR's
Water Rights Record Section can give you copies of the documents that have
been filed on your well.

ABANDONING A WELL
When it becomes necessary to abandon a well, you must follow ADWR rules
regarding well abandonment. Well abandonment shall be performed only be a
licensed well drilling contractor or a property owner who has obtained a
single well license from ADWR.

The owner of a well shall file a Notice of
Intention to Abandon a Well form (NOIA) prior to abandonment, on a form
prescribed and furnished by the Director. Upon receipt of a proper NOIA, the
Director shall mail a well abandonment card to the designated well drilling
contractor or single well licensee. Only at that time may the well drilling
contractor or single well licensee commence abandonment of a well.

The abandonment of the well shall be accomplished through filling or sealing
the well so as to prevent the well, including the annular space outside the
casing, from being a channel allowing the vertical movement of water. The
well shall be filled from the bottom to a depth of 20 feet with cement
grout, concrete, bentonite, clean sand with bentonite or cuttings from the
well. A cement grout plug shall be set from the top of the well to minimum
of 20 feet below the land surface and the annular space outside the casing
(if applicable) shall be filled with cement from the land surface to a
minimum of 20 feet below the surface.

Materials containing organic or toxic
matter shall not be used in the abandonment of a well.
The well drilling contractor or single well licensee shall notify ADWR in
writing no later than 30 days after abandonment has been completed. The
notification shall include the well owner's name, the location of the well,
and the method of abandonment.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some frequently asked questions about wells. If you have additional
questions, contact ADWR for more information.
Q: May I have two wells at my house?
A: Under some circumstances. If you are outside an AMA,
there are no restrictions on the number of wells you may
construct as long as the water is put to reasonable and
beneficial use. Contact ADWR if you are unsure whether
your well is located outside an AMA.
Q: Within the AMA, you cannot have two exempt wells serving the
same purpose at the same location. You may use two exempt wells
for different purposes.
A: If you wish to drill additional non-exempt wells
within an AMA, contact ADWR to find out what
restrictions apply.
Q: How much should a well cost?
A: The cost of a well depends on its size, depth, and
location. It is good to compare estimates from several
drillers to be sure you are getting the best value for
your money. Remember, the lowest price may not be the
best deal.
Q: How do I find a qualified well driller?
A: ADWR cannot recommend a specific well driller.
However, ADWR and the Registrar of Contractors can tell
you if a driller is licensed and in good standing.

Contacts
Arizona Department of Water Resources
500 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004-3903 (602) 417-2400
* Groundwater Management Support Section: (602) 417-2470

Primary point of contact for questions pertaining to the filing of
Notice of Intention to Drill (NOI) forms, well construction and the
licensing of well drillers
* Water Rights Records Section: (602) 417-2405
Phoenix AMA
500 North 3rd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004-3903
(602) 417-2465

Tucson AMA
400 West Congress, Suite 518
Tucson, AZ 8570 1-1374
(520) 770-3800

Pinal AMA
1000 East Racine
Casa Grande, AZ 85222-1743
(520) 836-4857

Prescott AMA
2200 East Hillsdale Road
Prescott, AZ 86301-4941
(928) 778-7202

Santa Cruz AMA
857 West Bell Road, Suite 3
Nogales, AZ 85621-4545
(520) 761-1814

The State is not liable for any damages resulting from information that is
unintentionally inaccurate or untimely.
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