Forms & Resources
Water Well Report (MO 780-1902)
Required for every completed domestic/multi-family well. Due within 60 days.
Access Forms ↗Plugging Report (MO 780-1603)
Required when abandoning/plugging a well. Due within 60 days.
Access Forms ↗Key Forms
- MO 780-1731: Contractor & Apprentice Permit Application
- MO 780-1424: Well/Pump Test Application
- MO 780-1902: Domestic/Multi-family Well Report
- MO 780-1901: High Yield Public Well Report
- MO 780-1603: Plugging (Abandonment) Report
- MO 780-1415/2161: Monitoring/Test-Hole Report
- MO 780-2167: Prenotification Form
Online Submission: Use the Well Information Management System (WIMS 2.0) portal via MoGEM for permit applications, renewals, and well report filing.
Licensing Requirements
Missouri requires all commercial well drillers and pump installers to hold state-issued permits per RSMo §256.600-640.
Permit Categories
| Category | Requirements | Scope of Work |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Restricted Contractor | 2-year apprenticeship + pass closed-book exam + 25 wells drilled | May contract/supervise all well/pump work including monitoring & heat-pump wells |
| Restricted Contractor | Pass open-book exam | May contract/supervise drilling/installation under supervision |
| Apprentice | Work under licensed contractor + pass open-book exam | Must work under supervision for 2 years, log 25 water wells |
License Fees
| License Type | Fee | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Restricted Contractor (Well) | $150 | 1 year |
| Non-Restricted Contractor (Pump) | $150 | 1 year |
| Restricted Contractor | $150 | 1 year |
| Apprentice Permit | $150 | 1 year |
| Vehicle Registration (per rig) | $50 | 1 year |
| Exam Fee | $50 | One-time per exam |
Annual Renewal Required
All permits and vehicle registrations expire yearly on October 1. Renew online via WIMS 2.0. Late renewals after Oct 1 pay 40% extra. Permits canceled after Oct 31 if not renewed.
Continuing Education
No continuing education hours are required by Missouri law. Renewal depends on annual fees and maintaining good standing. However, staying current with best practices through voluntary training (NGWA, state workshops) is recommended.
Reporting & Documentation
| Document | Deadline | Submit To |
|---|---|---|
| Prenotification (first-year/probation contractors) | 24 hours before work (48 hrs for heat-pump) | Form MO 780-2167 to DNR |
| Water Well Report (Certification) | 60 days after completion | DNR Well Installation Section (Rolla) |
| Plugging Report (Registration) | 60 days after completion | DNR Well Installation Section |
| Permit Renewal | Oct 1 annually | Online via WIMS 2.0 (40% late fee after Oct 1) |
| Vehicle Registration Renewal | Oct 1 annually | Online via WIMS 2.0 |
Prenotification Requirements
All permitted contractors in their first year or on probation must notify the Well Installation Section at least 24 hours before drilling (48 hours for vertical heat-pump wells).
- Submit Form MO 780-2167 online or by email/fax
- No fee charged - purely informational
- Emergency situations: report on next business day with explanation
Well Report Requirements
The well certification report must include:
- Location (GPS coordinates, legal description)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Static and pumping water levels
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information (materials, cure times)
- Pump details and test data (if conducted)
Record Retention
Missouri law does not specify formal retention periods, but drillers should maintain complete logs and copies of all submitted forms for several years (many keep them for the life of the well) to ensure compliance and support future investigations.
Construction Standards (10 CSR 23)
Casing Materials
- Steel: ASTM A53, A500, or A589 (Grade A/B), or new decontaminated salvaged casing
- PVC: ASTM F480 specification
- Joints: Watertight (threaded with proper couplings or welded)
- Centralization: Casing must be centralized and fully grouted to surface
PVC Restriction
PVC casing is not approved within 150 ft of petroleum tanks or chemical sources that could degrade the casing.
Annular Seal (Grouting)
- Annular space around casing must be sealed (gravity or tremie grouting)
- Minimum 10 ft filter pack/seal above any pump
- Minimum 10 ft top seal required below pitless well heads
- Grout cure times: 4 hours (high solids bentonite) to 72 hours (Type I cement) before development
Casing Depth by Drilling Area
| Drilling Area | Minimum Casing Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling Area 1 (South/Central MO - Ozarks) | ≥80 ft casing (≥30 ft into solid bedrock) | Limestone/dolomite regions |
| Drilling Area 4 (NE MO) | ≥40 ft casing (≥15 ft into bedrock) | Glaciated regions |
| Unconsolidated (Sand) Wells | ≥20 ft casing above screen | Bootheel alluvial aquifers |
See 10 CSR 23-3.090 (Drilling Areas) for complete regional requirements.
Setback Requirements
| Contamination Source | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Manure lagoons, fertilizer/chemical storage, large livestock facilities | 300 ft |
| Cesspools, animal yards | 100 ft |
| Septic systems, sprayfields | 100 ft |
| Property lines | 50 ft |
| Petroleum tanks near PVC casing | 150 ft |
Disinfection
All new wells must be disinfected (typically chlorinated) before use. DNR provides guidelines in Disinfecting Your Water Well (PUB2733). Wells showing bacterial contamination must be shock-chlorinated and retested.
Permits
High-Capacity Wells (Major Water Users)
Wells capable of ≥70 gallons/minute (or 100,000 gal/day) are classified as Major Water Users per RSMo §293.433.
- One-time registration required with Water Resources Center (MGS)
- Form: MO 780-2019
- No fee to register
- Annual water use reporting required (Jan 1–Mar 31 for prior year)
Special Well Types
- Vertical geothermal (heat pump) wells: Drilled by licensed contractor; file heat-pump forms (MO 780-1901 or MO 780-1413)
- Monitoring wells: Require monitoring well installation contractor permit; same reporting requirements
- Test holes: Fall under drillers' rules; plugging reports required
No County-Level Permits
Missouri has no county-by-county drilling permits. Licensing and permits are handled entirely at the state level by DNR. Local zoning may have separate regulations, but not drilling licenses.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Northern/Northwest MO (Glaciated Plains)
- Glacial drift over Pennsylvanian shale/sandstone
- Typical depths: 30–60 ft (sand/gravel), 100–150 ft (bedrock)
- Buried valley aquifers (high capacity in some areas)
- Watch for cobbles/concrete, low yields outside valleys
Central Ozarks (Salem/Springfield Plateau)
- Thick Paleozoic carbonates (dolomite/limestone)
- Extensive karst - caverns, sinkholes, fast groundwater flow
- Typical depths: 150–300 ft (domestic), 300–500 ft (public)
- Hard water, protect against collapse and contamination
St. Francois Mountains (SE Central MO)
- Precambrian igneous basement (granite) overlain by Cambrian dolomite/sandstone
- Very hard crystalline rock - slow drilling (DTH hammer recommended)
- Wells tap fractured Lamotte Sandstone (60–150 gpm typical)
- Typical depths: 200–400 ft
Bootheel (Southeast Lowlands)
- Deep Cretaceous–Tertiary sands (Mississippi Embayment)
- Shallow alluvial aquifer (50–150 ft) - plentiful water
- Many artesian/flowing wells (McNairy/Ripley formations)
- Soft water but often high iron; proper valve/headworks required
Seasonal Considerations
- Winter: Frost depth 2–3 ft in northern/central counties; difficult drilling late fall to early spring
- Spring: Heavy rains, rapid aquifer recharge, river valley flooding (Missouri/Mississippi); sites may be inaccessible
- Summer/Fall: Groundwater levels drop; plan drilling when water tables stable; watch for seasonal drawdowns
Aquifer Maps
Reference the Missouri Groundwater Provinces & Aquifer Information for detailed geology and typical drilling conditions by region.
Resources & Contacts
MO Geological Survey – Well Installation Section (Rolla)
Driller licensing, permit renewals, compliance, enforcement
MO DNR – Public Drinking Water Branch (Jefferson City)
Well construction rules & public water systems
MO Geological Survey – Water Resources Center
Groundwater data, major water users, aquifer studies
Missouri Well Installation Board
Advisory board on rules & enforcement (public meetings)
Regulatory References
- RSMo §256.600-640 – Water Well Drillers' Act
- 10 CSR 23 – Well Construction Code
- 10 CSR 23-3.030 – Standards for Water Well Construction
- 10 CSR 23-3.090 – Drilling Areas (casing depth requirements by region)
DNR Publications & Guides
- PUB2945: Water Wells (general guide)
- PUB2193: Well Installation FAQ
- PUB2733: Disinfecting Your Water Well
- PUB2447: Prenotification Requirements
- PUB2337: Major Water User FAQ
- PUB2950: Source Water Protection Plan Guidelines
- PUB3001-3004: Groundwater Provinces of Missouri (geology by region)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I renew my Missouri driller permit?
Renew online through the WIMS 2.0 portal before October 1 annually. Fee is $150 per permit type (well, pump, monitoring, etc.) and $50 per vehicle. Late renewals after Oct 1 pay 40% extra. Permits canceled after Oct 31 if not renewed. No continuing education hours are required by law.
What are the permit categories in Missouri?
Missouri has three categories: (1) Non-Restricted Contractor (requires 2-year apprenticeship, 25 wells drilled, closed-book exam; may contract all work), (2) Restricted Contractor (requires open-book exam; may supervise under supervision), (3) Apprentice (must work under licensed contractor for 2 years, log 25 wells).
How soon must I file the well log?
Within 60 days after completion. Submit the Water Well Report (e.g. Form MO 780-1902 for domestic wells) to DNR's Well Installation Section in Rolla. Plugging reports also due within 60 days. First-year contractors must prenotify DNR 24 hours before starting work.
What are the setback requirements in Missouri?
New wells must be ≥300 ft from manure lagoons/fertilizer storage, ≥100 ft from cesspools/animal yards/septic systems, and ≥50 ft from property lines. Additional restrictions apply if using PVC casing near petroleum sources (≥150 ft). See 10 CSR 23 for full requirements.
What are the casing and grouting requirements?
Casing must meet ASTM standards (steel A53/A500/A589 or PVC F480). Minimum casing depth varies by Drilling Area (e.g. ≥80 ft with ≥30 ft into bedrock for Ozark regions). Annular space must be fully grouted to surface with 10 ft seal above pump. Grout cure times: 4 hrs (bentonite) to 72 hrs (Type I cement).
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Missouri well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
Missouri Homeowner Well Guide →