Forms & Resources
Form 060: Notification of Intent to Drill
Required before drilling begins. No fee.
Download Form ↗Completion Report
Required within 30 days of finishing well.
Download Form ↗All ADEM Forms
- Form 060: Notification of Intent to Drill a Water Well
- Completion Report: Certification of Completion (well construction report)
- Form 193: Well Driller\'s License Application
- Form 195: License Renewal
- Form 259: Approval to Use a Water Supply Well (if connecting to public system)
Online Submission: Use the WaterSTAR EDD system for electronic filing of Form 060 data.
Licensing Requirements
Alabama requires licensed drillers for all potable well work per AL Code §22-24-8.
License Fees
| License Type | Fee | Term | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Well Driller | $200 | 1 year | Annual renewal by Sept. 30 |
| Pump Installer | N/A | N/A | No separate pump license in Alabama |
| Rig Operator | N/A | N/A | Not required |
Licensing Requirements
| Requirement | Standard | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | ≥2 years drilling experience | Submit with application |
| State Exam | Pass at ≥70% | Schedule via ADEM/PSI |
| Annual Fee | $200/year | Due by Sept. 30 (renewal) |
| Continuing Education | None mandated | N/A |
Exam Information
After ADEM approves your application, schedule the exam through ADEM/PSI. Passing score is ≥70%. Submit experience verification (≥2 years drilling) with your application.
Renewal Process
- Deadline: Applications due by Sept. 30 each year
- Fee: $200 annually
- Method: Submit Form 195 to ADEM Operator Certification
- Late renewal: May incur penalties
- CE requirement: None (voluntary training recommended)
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Form 060 (Intent to Drill) | Before drilling begins | ADEM (or WaterSTAR online) |
| Completion Report | 30 days after completion | ADEM (forwarded to county health) |
| License Application | Before Sept. 30 annually | ADEM Operator Certification |
| Abandonment Report | As needed | ADEM or local health (recommended) |
Form 060 Requirements
The Notification of Intent to Drill must be filed before work begins:
- Well location and owner information
- Proposed depth and purpose
- Expected drilling date
- Driller license number
Completion Report Requirements
The well completion report (due within 30 days) must include:
- Final well depth and construction details
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Yield test data (if conducted)
- Lithology (formation descriptions)
County Health Notification
ADEM forwards your completion report to the county health authority within 7 days. The county may collect water samples or inspect the site.
Construction Standards (Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06)
| Component | Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Casing Extension | ≥1 ft above ground | Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06(a) |
| Casing Seal and Grouting | Seal casing in an impervious layer. If none above the water zone: seal 50 ft of annulus, upper 20 ft grouted. Casing over 8 in. I.D.: grout to 20 ft or more | Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06(a)(1) |
| Minimum Casing Length | ≥20 ft | Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06 |
| Well Cap | Sanitary cap required | Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06(e) |
| Disinfection | Required for new/repaired wells | ADEM guidance |
Casing Materials
Acceptable casing materials (must meet appropriate standards):
- Steel: New ASTM-compliant steel (preferred for deep wells)
- PVC: NSF/ANSI-certified for potable water applications
- Other materials: Must be approved by County Environmentalist
Setback Requirements (Recommended)
Alabama has no statewide mandatory setbacks, but ADEM guidance and local health codes recommend:
| Contamination Source | Recommended Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Septic tanks or drain fields | 100 ft | ADEM recommended table (335-9-1-.04) |
| Cesspools, lagoons, barns | 150 ft | ADEM recommended table (335-9-1-.04) |
| Property lines | Varies | Check local ordinances |
Abandonment/Sealing
Wells to be permanently abandoned must be sealed per Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06(g):
- Fill with puddled clay containing 50 ppm chlorine to within 20 ft of the top of the well
- Fill the top 20 ft with cement grout or concrete
- Provide abandonment certification to ADEM or local health (recommended)
Critical Requirement
Never drill downhill from pollution sources. Wells must be upgradient of contamination to protect water quality.
Permits
Private Wells
No separate drilling permit is required for most private wells. The driller\'s state license and ADEM Form 060 filing satisfy state requirements.
High-Capacity Wells (Coastal Areas)
In coastal counties, wells pumping ≥50 gallons per minute (50 gpm) require a coastal-use notification permit under ADEM Admin. Code r. 335-8-1-.11.
Local Variations
Most counties do not require separate drilling permits beyond the state license. However, check with the local County Health Department for:
- Soil evaluations for septic systems
- Local well siting requirements
- County-specific setback rules
Special Permits
- Geothermal (closed-loop): Generally exempt. Open-loop systems may require ADEM Underground Injection Control (UIC) permits.
- Monitoring wells: Must comply with construction standards even if not used for potable supply.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Northern/Appalachian Plain
- Fractured Paleozoic limestones, sandstones, shales
- Typical depths: 100–500 ft (can exceed 1,000 ft)
- Hardrock drilling (cable tool or mud rotary)
- Occasional artesian flow in mountain valleys
- Yield varies (few GPM to several hundred)
Piedmont/Central Uplands
- Metamorphic rocks (schist, gneiss, granite)
- Low yields (typically single-digit GPM)
- Slow drilling, often requires fracturing
- Depths often >200 ft to tap water
Coastal Plain (South/SE Alabama)
- Sedimentary sands and clays (Cretaceous–Tertiary)
- Typical depths: 50–200 ft
- Moderate yields (tens of GPM)
- Artesian pressure in confined sand/chalk units
- Black Belt (clayey terrain) may be deeper
Common Regional Issues
- Mild winters (ground rarely freezes below 6–12 in)
- Seasonal spring rains can flood shallow wells
- Clay drilling slowed in some areas
- Water table fluctuates (dry summers, wet winters)
Aquifer Resources
Reference the Geological Survey of Alabama for detailed aquifer maps and well sampling data by region.
Resources & Contacts
ADEM Operator Certification
Driller licensing, renewals, compliance
Alabama Cooperative Extension
Water testing resources and technical guidance
Regulatory References
- Alabama Code Title 22, Chapter 24 – Water Well Standards Act
- Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.03 – Licensing Rules
- Admin. Code r. 335-9-1-.06 – Construction Standards
Online Systems
- WaterSTAR EDD – Electronic Form 060 submission
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Alabama driller license?
Submit Form 195 (renewal) and $200 fee to ADEM Operator Certification before Sept. 30 each year. Late renewals may incur penalties.
Are CE hours required for Alabama drillers?
No, Alabama does not require continuing education for water well drillers. However, staying current with industry practices through voluntary training is recommended.
How soon must I file the well completion report?
Within 30 days after completing the well. Submit the Completion Report to ADEM, which will forward it to the county health authority within 7 days.
What are the setback requirements in Alabama?
Alabama has no statewide mandatory setbacks, but ADEM guidance recommends 100 ft from septic systems and 150 ft from cesspools, lagoons, and barnyards. Local health codes may require minimums.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Alabama well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
Alabama Homeowner Well Guide →