New Mexico Well Driller Compliance Guide

All OSE Forms

• Well Completion Report (Well Log): Required within 30 days of completion or repair
• Plugging Report: Required within 30 days after plugging
• License Application: For new driller license (includes bond, insurance proof, exam scores)
• License Renewal Form: Submit ≥10 days before expiration
• Plan of Operations (Artesian): Required before drilling any artesian (flowing) well
• Deep Non-Potable Well NOI (WR-30): For drilling into deep, non-potable aquifers

New Mexico requires an OSE-issued Well Driller's License for all well drilling (except driven wells ≤2⅜ inches diameter).

License Fees

License Requirements

Exam Requirements

The method exams cover cable tool, air rotary, mud rotary, reverse circulation, jetting and driving, or augering and monitoring. All other drilling activities require the general exam only. NGWA exams must be passed within five years before applying (NMAC 19.27.4.12.C).

The New Mexico Code exam has no fee and requires no appointment Applicants complete it themselves and attach it to WD-02 or WD-03 for OSE grading; 70% minimum score is required.

Drill Rig Supervisor Registration

Drill rig operators must register as Drill Rig Supervisors under a licensed driller. Requirements:

• ≥2 years on-site experience under a licensed driller
• Listed on driller's license renewal form
• Must complete 8 hours CE every 2 years (same as drillers)
• Renew via driller's renewal form (attach CE proof)
• NM Code Exam required (70% minimum); no NGWA exam or filing fee

Continuing Education

Well Completion Report Requirements

The well log must include:

• Driller name, license number, drill rig supervisor(s)
• GPS location (latitude/longitude)
• Drilling dates and total depth
• Final casing details (sizes, materials, depths)
• Water-bearing zones encountered
• Casing and sealant materials (annular seal details)
• Lithology (formation descriptions/cutting logs)
• Static/gauge water levels
• Yield estimates (measured by bailer, pumping test, etc.)
• Grouting/annulus placement details

Plugging Report Requirements

When abandoning a well, file a Plugging Record with OSE and the permit holder within 30 days. Report must include:

• Owner name and well location (GPS)
• Driller and rig supervisor info
• Date when plugging began
• Date when plugging completed
• Well depths and casing details
• Intervals and types of plug material used
• Quantities of cement/bentonite

Record Retention

By statute, drillers in artesian basins must keep a complete record and log. In practice, all drillers should retain copies of all logs, lithologic samples, CE certificates, and report copies for at least several years.

Primary regulations: NMAC 19.27.4 – Rules and Regulations Governing Well Driller Licensing; Construction, Repair and Plugging of Wells. Statutory basis: NMSA 72-12-12 through 72-12-17.

Casing Materials & Installation

• Material: Casing with sufficient wall thickness to withstand formation pressure; acceptable standards include NGWA, AWWA, ASTM, API, ANSI and NSF
• Centralization: Centralize casing within the sealed interval. For artesian wells, install a commercially made float shoe unless the State Engineer approves an alternate cementing method; this is not a general non-artesian requirement
• NSF Certification: All materials for potable wells must be NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certified

Annular Seal (Grouting)

For non-artesian wells, the borehole in the annular-seal interval must be at least 4 inches larger than the outermost casing diameter (3 inches if centralized and pressure grouted from the bottom up). Below 20 feet, place sealant by tremie or pressure-grouting through the casing and up the annulus. If the annular water level is within 20 feet of the surface, bottom-up tremie placement is required; time-release bentonite pellets may be used without tremie where standing water is above 20 feet (NMAC 19.27.4.30.A(2)).

• Minimum depth: Annular seal from surface to at least 20 ft depth (or to bottom of casing if shallower)
• Aquifer isolation: Seal each aquifer to prevent cross-contamination/cross-flow
• Surface casing: If used, seal between surface and production casing

Wellhead Completion

• Height: Casing must extend ≥18 inches above grade (or vault floor)
• Cap: Secured, vermin-proof, vented cap required
• Traffic areas: Monitoring wells in traffic areas require flush-mount vaults with sealed, lockable lids

Setback Requirements

Wells must be sited away from contamination sources per applicable state/local requirements. Specific setback distances for septic systems, lagoons, etc. vary by locality.

Domestic vs. High-Capacity Wells

Special Permits

• Artesian (flowing) wells: A Plan of Operations must be submitted before drilling. Describes how uncontrolled flow will be managed and ensures prior land-owner approval.
• Deep Non-Potable Wells: Drilling into deep, non-potable aquifers requires a WR-30 Notice of Intention for deep non-potable groundwater ($25; file in triplicate).
• Geothermal Wells: Regulated under NM Geothermal Act (NMAC 19.11.4). Requires permit from NM Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Dept (not OSE driller license).
• Monitoring/Injection Wells: May require NMED permits (e.g. Underground Injection Control). Not covered by driller-license rules.

Key Hydrogeologic Units

Common Challenges

Seasonal Considerations

• Freeze depth: Northern/cold areas (Raton, Taos) – ground may freeze 1–3 ft deep; winterize drilling rigs. Southern deserts have virtually no frost.
• Rain & flooding: Late-spring snowmelt and summer monsoon rains raise water tables rapidly; seal completed wells quickly to prevent surface contamination.
• Water table swings: Seasonal recharge (monsoon) can raise static levels many feet vs. dry season. Monitor during development.
• Access: Rains can wash out roads in washes. Schedule drilling when access is reliable.

Typical Well Depths by Use

• Domestic wells: 100–500 ft (varies widely by region)
• Irrigation/Agricultural: 200–2000 ft (varies by basin)
• High Plains/San Juan municipal: Can exceed 1500–3000 ft
• Santa Fe/Albuquerque area: 500–1200 ft typical
• Mountainous areas: Often <300 ft (perched groundwater or small alluvial fills)

Arsenic Advisory Areas

Naturally high arsenic levels occur in NM – especially in volcanic/shale regions (Jemez Mountains, Albuquerque Basin, parts of Gila and White Sands areas). Drillers should be aware that new wells in these areas may produce water above the 10 ppb MCL. Advise water testing and treatment (RO or other). No special casing requirements in code for arsenic, but notification to well owners is essential.

Other Contaminants

• Nitrate/nitrite: Often high in agricultural areas (eastern NM farmland)
• Uranium: Can exceed 30 µg/L in northwest wells (Grants-Cibola uranium belt)
• Fuel/oil spills or mining: Locally can contaminate zones

No additional drilling technique legally mandated for these contaminants (beyond general sealing standards), but well-drillers should notify well owners of any known regional contamination and strongly recommend water-quality testing.

OSE District Offices

District offices process water-rights permits and maintain well records:

• District 1 – Albuquerque: 505-383-4000 (Central NM)
• District 2 – Roswell: 575-622-6521 (SE NM/Pecos Valley)
• District 3 – Deming: 575-546-2851 (SW NM)
• District 4 – Las Cruces: 575-524-6161 (S. Central NM)
• District 5 – Aztec: 505-383-4571 (NW NM)
• District 6 – Santa Fe: 505-827-6120 (NC NM including Espanola)
• District 7 – Cimarron: 575-376-2918 (NE NM including Raton)

Professional Associations

• New Mexico Ground Water Association (NMGWA): www.nmgwa.org – Industry news, conferences, training
• National Ground Water Association (NGWA): www.ngwa.org – Exams, technical resources
• American Ground Water Trust: Technical publications and advocacy

Regulatory References

• NMAC 19.27.4 – Well Driller Licensing; Construction, Repair and Plugging of Wells (Sections 19.27.4.12–.31)
• NMSA 72-13-5 – Artesian well drilling records and logs
• NMSA 3-53-1.1 – Municipal well restrictions