Arizona Well Driller Compliance Reference

Forms & Resources

All ADWR Forms

• Form 55-40: Notice of Intent to Drill, Deepen, Replace, or Modify a Well
• Form 55-55: Well Driller Report & Log
• Form 55-56: Pump Installation Completion Report (owner files)
• Form 55-38: Notice of Intent to Abandon
• Form 55-58: Well Abandonment Completion Report
• Form 55-44: Monitor/Piezometer/Environmental Wells NOI
• Form 55-43: Exploration/Specialty Wells (drill & abandon)

Licensing Requirements

Arizona requires licensed drillers for all well construction per A.R.S. §45-595. Contractors also need ROC A-4 classification.

ADWR Well Driller License

All well drilling and abandonment must be performed by an ADWR-licensed driller or under direct supervision of one (A.A.C. R12-15-803). Applicants must submit a verified application detailing the qualifying party's experience and character (3 years minimum experience in the proposed drilling method, reducible to 2 if equivalency is demonstrated).

License Fees

Note: ADWR verifies ROC compliance in NOI filings. All fees go to the state Water Resources Fund.

Drilling Method Classifications

Applicants must demonstrate 3 years experience (or 2 years with equivalency) in their chosen drilling method:

Examination

ROC A-4 Classification

Drilling contractors must also obtain Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) classification A-4 (Drilling), which authorizes drilling water wells, erecting rigs, and installing pumps/equipment.

Single-Well License (Landowner)

An Arizona resident drilling one exempt (≤35 gpm domestic) well on their own land may obtain a free single-well license (no fee). Application and a simplified exam (see A.A.C. R12-15-807) are required. The resulting single-well license authorizes drilling or abandonment of one exempt well at the specified location (valid for 1 year).

Continuing Education

Approved CE typically covers well construction standards, groundwater protection, safety, new drilling techniques, water quality issues (e.g. contamination prevention), and changes to statutes/rules. CE courses/sponsors must be ADWR-approved. Examples include industry associations and agencies (e.g. AZ Water Well Assoc., AZ Water Assoc.) offering seminars.

Reporting & Documentation

Notice of Intent (NOI) Requirements

Before drilling or deepening (outside exempt drilling), the driller must file a Notice of Intention to Drill (NOI, DWR Form 55-40) with ADWR. This form (or ADWR's eNOI online portal) includes owner/driller info, legal description, well depth/diameter, pump capacity, etc.

• Landowner must sign (or provide written authorization)
• Filing fee: $150 (file with Form 55-40)
• Drilling cannot begin until ADWR issues a drilling authorization ("drill card") after accepting the NOI

Well Driller's Report and Log

The drilling contractor must maintain an original log of the well ("as-built" construction details). Within 30 days of completion, the driller must file the Well Driller Report & Log (ADWR Form 55-55) with ADWR. This report (or ADWR online log portal) documents the actual casing, strata, water levels, yield tests, and other construction details.

The driller's report must include:

• Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
• Water-bearing zones encountered
• Casing sizes, materials, and depths
• Grouting/sealing information (surface seal details)
• Pump test data (capacity, drawdown, static level)

Pump Installation Report

Within 30 days after installing a pump, the well owner must file a Pump Installation Completion Report (Form 55-56). This includes pump type, tested capacity (gpm), drawdown, static level, etc., as stipulated by A.R.S. §45-600.

Well Abandonment Notice & Report

Abandonment (sealing) requires advance ADWR notice. Except during new-drill abandonment, the owner must file a Notice of Intent to Abandon (Form 55-38) with ADWR before starting. ADWR then issues an abandonment authorization card. Within 30 days after abandonment, the driller must file a Well Abandonment Completion Report (Form 55-58). This report lists abandonment methods and date.

Note: If a well is abandoned immediately during new-drilling operations, the NOI can double as the abandonment notice; still a 30-day completion report is filed.

Construction Standards (A.A.C. R12-15-811)

Arizona's Groundwater Code is found in Title 45, Chapter 2, Article 10 (Waters), and the Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) Title 12, Chapter 15, Article 8.

Casing Materials

• Allowed materials: Only steel or thermoplastic (PVC) casing is allowed, unless a variance is granted
• Steel: New or like-new steel meeting ASTM standards
• PVC: Thermoplastic complying with ASTM F480 (2014)
• Prohibited: Any casing showing pitting or exposure to hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos)
• Casing must extend at least 1 foot above ground surface (if a pitless adapter is used, casing may terminate below ground)
• Unsealed openings above water table must be grouted or plugged

Surface Seal (Sanitary Seal)

Every well (except some excavated wells) must have a cement grout surface seal. This seal consists of steel casing (20 ft long, with 1 ft above ground) grouted from the bottom of the grouted zone to land surface.

• The annular space for grout must be ≥1½″ and the grout placed continuously
• If a pitless unit is used, grout may extend only to its bottom
• In all cases, from casing/cap to ≥20 ft depth must be sealed with cement to prevent vertical contamination
• Additives: Grout additives are limited (e.g. ≤10% calcium chloride, ≤5% bentonite by volume)

Other Features

• Wells ≥4″ diameter must have a watertight access port (min. ½″ diameter) for water-level monitoring
• Gravel-packed wells require sealing of annular spaces (e.g. welded caps or grout)
• All vents must open downward and be screened

Setback Requirements

Arizona strictly separates wells from pollution sources. A.A.C. R12-15-818 mandates no well within 100 ft of septic tanks, sewage disposal areas, landfills, hazardous waste sites, or petroleum storage/tanks (unless the ADWR Director specifically approves). Separate spacing rules R12-15-1301 et seq. address well-to-well impacts in AMAs. Cochise County requires wells ≥100 ft from any septic field and ≥5 ft from property lines.

Disinfection

Per A.A.C. R12-15-814, any well intended for potable/domestic use must be disinfected (chlorinated) before the drill rig is removed. The procedure must follow Arizona DOH bulletins (EB No. 8 and 10, 1978) or equivalents incorporated by reference. In practice, wells are chlorinated post-construction and flushed before use.

Permits

High-Capacity (Non-Exempt) Wells

Wells with pump capacity >35 gallons per minute (gpm) (non-exempt wells) drilledinside an Active Management Area (AMA) require a formal permit under A.R.S. §45-599. Such wells typically serve irrigation or large water users.

• Application: Permit Application (Form 55-0001) with ADWR, including detailed site and design info
• Fee: $150
• Review time: ADWR must approve or reject within 60 days of a complete application
• Upon approval: A permit (with conditions and an expiration date) is issued and drilling may proceed

County Permits

Some counties require additional permits:

• Cochise County: Well Review Permit for parcels ≤5 acres (520-432-9300). Requires site plan showing setbacks (at least 5′ from lot lines and 100′ from any septic).
• Gila/Graham Counties (Upper Gila): New wells (even exempt) require a county site-plan review by Health Dept. for small parcels, then an ADWR NOI
• Other counties: May have mapping or registration programs (verify current requirements)

Special Well Types

• Exploration/Specialty Wells: Wells <100′ drilled solely for geological exploration (no water use) require filing Notice of Intent to Drill and Abandon an Exploration/Specialty Well (Form DWR 55-43) – this is a combo drill-and-abandon notice
• Monitor/Piezometer/Environmental Wells: Environmental or monitoring wells (for observation, not pumping) use NOI Form 55-44
• Remediation Wells: ADWR has an exempt NOI form (55-44A) for remediation-only wells on small parcels or near public water supplies
• Geothermal Wells: No specific ADWR drilling permit; geothermal development may be regulated by the State Oil & Gas Commission (for high-temperature steam) or ADEQ (injection)
• Recovery/Injections: Wells for aquifer recharge or stormwater reuse need separate approvals (ADWR Underground Storage and Recovery permits under Title 45, Art. 6, or ADEQ permits)

Drilling Conditions by Region

Arizona's geology varies widely, so driller experience and well design must adapt to local conditions.

Artesian and Flowing Wells

In some areas artesian flow occurs naturally (Verde River springs, San Francisco River area, or confined aquifers). Drillers must control blowouts by keeping drill rigs on-site until plugging (use of bentonite or steel plugs). Flowing wells are uncommon and typically self-cap.

Seasonal Variations

Freezing is generally not an issue except above ~7,000′ (frost 1–2 ft). Monsoon season (Jul–Sep) can raise shallow water tables and cause washes to flood, but wells tap deeper water so flooding risk is moderate. Winter rains can temporarily raise water levels. Pump capacity tests may vary seasonally if wells recharge or recover differently.

Typical Well Depths (examples, vary widely)

• Northern AZ sandstone wells: often 50–300 ft (depending on aquifer)
• Phoenix/Tucson AMA irrigation wells: 300–1000+ ft (median 500–800 ft)
• Domestic wells (rural): often 150–400 ft
• Highlands/mountain wells: frequently shallow (50–150 ft) due to perched zones, but yields lower

Special Contamination Zones

Arsenic Advisory Areas

Naturally high arsenic is common in parts of Arizona. Notable areas include parts of Yavapai County (e.g. Paulden, Chino Valley, Dewey-Humboldt), Maricopa–La Paz counties, and areas near mining districts. ADWR and ADEQ identify "arsenic-prone" basins (statewide, any well should test for arsenic). In known-affected zones, drillers should extend casing below the arsenic-bearing layer (often the upper 100–200 ft of alluvium) to confining clay or rock.

Other Contaminant Zones

Resources & Contacts

Professional Associations

• Arizona Water Well Association (AZWWA): Trade association of well drillers/pumpers; publishes a technical newsletter, offers training seminars, networking, and technical guidance
• Arizona Water Association / AWWA (Arizona Section): Water/wastewater professionals
• National Ground Water Association (NGWA): Certification and resources for drilling professionals

Regulatory References

• A.R.S. §45-595 – Well construction requirements; licensing of well drillers
• A.R.S. §45-596 – Notice of intention to drill; fee
• A.R.S. §45-600 – Filing of report by driller; completion report
• A.A.C. R12-15-811 – Minimum well construction requirements
• A.A.C. R12-15-818 – Well location and setbacks

Frequently Asked Questions