Forms & Resources
Well Completion Report
Required for every completed well. Due within 30 days.
Download Form ↗Hydrofracture Notice
Required before hydrofracturing. File with Drinking Water Program.
Get Form ↗All Commission Forms
- Well Completion Report: Submit to Maine Geological Survey within 30 days
- License Application: Master/Journeyman driller or pump installer
- License Renewal: Annual renewal before December 31
- Setback Reduction Notification: For bedrock wells with reduced setbacks
- Specialty Well Permit: For wells that cannot meet standard requirements
Online Submission: Use the Maine Geological Survey well report system for electronic filing of completion reports.
Licensing Requirements
Maine requires licensed drillers and pump installers per Title 32 Chapter 69-C (Well Drillers Commission).
License Types & Requirements
| License Type | Experience Required | Exam | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master Well Driller | ≥3 yrs (1,000 hrs/yr) | Yes ($25) | $120/yr (Dec 31) |
| Journeyman Well Driller | ≥1 yr (1,000 hrs) | Yes ($25) | $88/yr (Dec 31) |
| Master Pump Installer | ≥3 yrs (350 hrs/yr) | Yes ($25) | $60/yr (Dec 31) |
| Journeyman Pump Installer | ≥1 yr (350 hrs) | Yes ($25) | $40/yr (Dec 31) |
| Apprentice (driller/pump) | None | No | No fee; registered annually |
Key License Details
- Fees: Master driller $120, journeyman driller $88, master pump installer $60, journeyman pump installer $40, apprentices none; $10 per company license and per endorsement; $25 application and first exam fee (144 CMR 232 sections 200.5, 204.7)
- Renewal: All licenses expire December 31 annually
- Exams: Written, 70% to pass; three references (one from a master licensee); application due 30 days before the exam date
- Lapsed licenses: $50 late fee after January 31; lapsed more than 3 years means a new exam
- Apprentices: No exam or fee required, but must be registered
- License display: The Commission seal with license number and year on each side of every rig and pump service vehicle; the company license number in 1.5 in. characters beside it
- Continuing Education: Not currently required (may be adopted in future)
Master Plumbers
A person licensed as a Master Plumber under Title 32 Chapter 49 is not required to be licensed with the Commission to do the work of a pump installer (32 M.R.S. §4700-J).
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Well Completion Report | 30 days after completion | Maine Geological Survey (MGS) |
| License Renewal | Licenses expire December 31; $50 late fee on master and journeyman renewals received after January 31 | Well Drillers Commission (CertTracker) |
| Hydrofracture Notice | Before hydrofracturing | Drinking Water Program (DWP) |
Well Completion Report Requirements
The well completion report must include:
- Well location (GPS coordinates recommended)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information
- Static water level and yield data
- Pump test data (if conducted)
Filing Deadline
Well reports must be filed within 30 days of completion per 12 M.R.S. §550-B. A company that does not file on time is in violation and commits a civil violation with a forfeiture of up to $500 (12 M.R.S. §550-B(3), (5)).
Record Retention
Well information (driller name, date, depth, yield) must be permanently recorded on the well casing or a tank plaque. Keep copies of well logs and completion reports indefinitely for customer and regulatory reference.
Construction Standards (144 CMR 232)
Casing Requirements
- Materials: Steel at least 0.250 in. wall, or Schedule 40 or heavier NSF-approved plastic (PVC, CPVC, ABS)
- Bedrock wells: At least 20 ft of casing (10 ft into bedrock recommended); plastic casing seals with a shale packer or equal in an open hole
- Extension: Casing must extend ≥8 inches above grade
- Seal: Sanitary well seal required on all wells
- Screen: Open-topped sand wells must use screened casing or gravel pack
Annular Seal (Grouting)
- All wells must have proper annular seal
- Surface completion: sloped to drain away from well
- Void outside the casing is filled with cement grout, bentonite or ledge cuttings; NGWA Manual of Water Well Construction (2nd ed., chapter 4) methods are recommended
Setback Requirements
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Septic disposal field (<2,000 gpd) | 100 ft | Bedrock wells: down to 90, 80, 70 or 60 ft with 40, 55, 70 or 90 ft of casing seal (Table 400.1) |
| Septic disposal field (≥2,000 gpd) | 300 ft | Bedrock wells: 270, 240, 210 or 180 ft with 40, 55, 70 or 90 ft of casing seal |
| Septic tanks, holding tanks, lift stations | 60 ft | Never less without an approved Specialty Well application |
| Abutting property disposal field | Special conditions apply | See 144A CMR 241 sections 702-703 (144 CMR 232 section 400.6) |
Setback Reductions
Bedrock wells may qualify for reduced setbacks using the §400.3 table based on casing depth. File a Setback Reduction Notification with the Commission.
Disinfection
All new wells must be chlorinated to at least 50 ppm for at least 4 hours on completion (144 CMR 232 section 405.2). After any new pump installation or pipe or wire repair in the well, chlorinate to 50 ppm for at least 24 hours (sections 801.3, 806.1).
Permits
Private Wells
Maine has no statewide drilling permit for private residential wells. However, local ordinances may require building permits or land-use approvals.
High-Capacity Wells
Wells withdrawing ≥75,000 gal/week (near wetlands/streams) or ≥216,000 gal/week (farther away) are classified as "Significant Groundwater Withdrawals" per 38 M.R.S. §480-B(9-A). These require:
- DEP permit under NRPA before drilling
- Annual reporting and fees
- Domestic use wells are exempt
Special Permits
- Specialty Well Permit: For wells that cannot meet standard setbacks or other requirements. Apply to the Commission with justification.
- Hydrofracture Notice: File with Drinking Water Program before hydrofracturing any well.
- Wellhead Protection Zones: Check for WHP zones near public water supplies. Certain facilities (fuel tanks, dry cleaners) are banned in these zones.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Southern & Coastal Maine
- Glacial sand/gravel aquifers common
- Bedrock: granite, gneiss, schist
- Typical depths: 100-300 ft
- High arsenic areas (York, Cumberland, Sagadahoc)
- Watch for saltwater intrusion near coast
Central Maine (Kennebec Valley)
- River valley sand/gravel deposits
- Metamorphic bedrock
- Typical depths: 150-400 ft
- Arsenic hotspot (Kennebec County)
- Good yields in valley aquifers
Northern & Interior Maine
- Mostly bedrock wells (thin till)
- Hard crystalline rock (granite)
- Typical depths: 200-400 ft
- Low yields common (<10 gpm)
- Bouldery glacial drift challenges
Downeast Maine (Hancock/Washington)
- Fractured bedrock (granite, volcanic)
- Typical depths: 150-350 ft
- Arsenic in Ellsworth area
- Iron/manganese common
- Variable yields
Geology Resources
Reference the Maine Geological Survey aquifer maps for detailed geology and typical drilling conditions by region.
Common Challenges
- Hard bedrock: Slow drilling in granite and metamorphic rock
- Bouldery drift: Can damage equipment or stall progress
- Low yields: Fracture-dependent; often <10 gpm in bedrock
- Seasonal variation: Water tables fluctuate with spring recharge
- Frost depth: 3-4 ft; requires proper casing extension
Resources & Contacts
Maine Well Drillers Commission
Licensing, exams, renewals, complaints
Maine CDC – Drinking Water Program
Regulations, technical guidance, arsenic info
Regulatory References
- 144 CMR 232 – Well Drillers and Pump Installers Rules
- Title 32 Chapter 69-C – Water Well Drillers Commission and licensing
- Title 12 §550-B – Well completion reporting requirements
- Title 38 §480-B – Significant groundwater withdrawals
- Title 38 Chapter 13-D – Wellhead protection zones
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Maine driller license?
Licenses expire December 31 and renew each January 1 through CertTracker, the state licensing portal. Fees are $120 for master well drillers, $88 for journeyman, $60 for master pump installers and $40 for journeyman pump installers; master and journeyman renewals received after January 31 pay a $50 late fee. A license lapsed more than 3 years requires a new exam. No continuing education is required.
What are the CE requirements for Maine drillers?
Maine currently does not mandate continuing education for drillers or pump installers. However, voluntary training is available through the Maine Groundwater Association and other providers.
How soon must I file the well completion report?
Within 30 days of completion. Submit to the Maine Geological Survey using their well report form. Failure to file on time is a violation of 12 M.R.S. §550-B.
What are the setback requirements in Maine?
100 ft from septic disposal fields (<2,000 gpd), 300 ft for larger systems, and 60 ft from septic tanks. Bedrock wells may qualify for reduced setbacks with Commission notification. All setbacks are in 144 CMR 232 §4-400.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Maine well guide for homeowners covering costs, testing, and water quality.
Maine Homeowner Well Guide →