North Carolina Well Contractor Compliance Reference

Forms & Resources

All NCDEQ Forms

• GW-1: Well Construction Report (online or PDF)
• GW-30: Well Abandonment Record
• Large Capacity Well Permit: For wells ≥100,000 GPD (≈69 GPM)
• Monitoring Well Permit: Required for monitoring/observation wells
• Recovery Well Permit: For remediation wells
• Geothermal Well Forms: Closed-loop notification, open-loop permits

Certification Requirements

North Carolina requires individual certification at Level A–D for all well contractors per G.S. Chapter 87, Article 7.

Certification Levels & Fees

Exam Process

1. Meet experience requirements for desired level
2. Submit application with exam fee (prorated for remainder of year)
3. Pass written exam within 3 attempts/1 year
4. Receive certification card with photo and level

Out-of-cycle exams incur an additional $50 fee. Tennessee has reciprocity agreement. No grandfathering - all contractors must pass exam.

Continuing Education

Approved providers include NGWA, RedVector, Franklin Electric, and others. Check the NC DHHS CE page for current approved courses.

Renewal

Certification renews annually by June 30. Renewal fees are not prorated and match the certification level. Complete required CE before submitting renewal.

Reporting & Documentation

Well Construction Report (GW-1) Requirements

The GW-1 form must include:

• Depth and lithology (geologic formation descriptions)
• Water-bearing zones encountered
• Casing sizes, materials, and depths
• Grouting/sealing information with dates
• Pump test data (if conducted)
• Disinfection information
• Well location coordinates

Abandonment Requirements

Any abandoned or sealed well must be reported on Form GW-30 within 30 days. Abandonment involves removing the pump and filling the well with approved grout from bottom to top. A copy must be sent to both NCDEQ and the county health department.

Construction Standards (15A NCAC 02C)

Casing Materials & Standards

• Steel: New ASTM A-53 or equivalent, sound and corrosion-resistant
• PVC: ASTM F480, NSF/ANSI-certified, lead-free (NSF-61/NSF-372)
• Screens: Must meet ASTM/NSF standards for well applications
• Height: Casing must extend at least 12" above grade (unless site requires otherwise)

Annular Seal (Grouting)

• Grout annulus from bottom to top using cement-bentonite grout
• Timing: Grouting typically within 7 days after casing is set
• Water-supply wells: Sand-gravel pack and bentonite seal in shallow sections
• Non-water wells: 1–2 ft bentonite seal above screen, grout to surface
• Certification: Driller may self-certify grouting compliance if inspector not present (G.S. 87-97(e2))

Wellhead Protection

• Welded steel caps or flush plates required
• All wells must be locked or secured against tampering
• Flowing (artesian) wells must have operable valves and stopflow controls

Setback Requirements (15A NCAC 02C.0107)

Disinfection (Mandatory)

G.S. 87-97(f1) requires all new private drinking water wells be sterilized in accordance with U.S. Public Health Service standards. This means shock chlorination during development until free chlorine is detected. County health departments typically require negative bacteria test results before approving new wells.

Permits

County-Level Permits (Most Wells)

For wells <100,000 GPD, permits are issued by county health departments per G.S. 87-97(a). All counties must use standard state forms (GW-1) and cannot impose weaker standards than state rules.

• Application: Contractor typically submits on owner's behalf
• Timeline: County must act within 30 days or permit is auto-approved
• Fees: Vary by county (typically $200–$500)
• Exemptions: Replacing pumps/tanks without breaking seal

High-Capacity Wells (≥100,000 GPD)

Wells with design pumping capacity of 100,000 gallons per day or more require prior approval from NCDEQ Division of Water Resources per G.S. 87-88(a).

• Application to DWR regional office
• Must show compliance with groundwater protection criteria
• Typical processing: ~15 days for complete application
• Central Coastal Plain: Additional water withdrawal permit required in Capacity Use Area

Drilling Conditions by Region

Seasonal Considerations

• Winter:Frozen ground (<6") rarely prevents drilling but can delay near-surface work
• Spring/Fall: Heavy rains can flood low sites or cause unstable mud pits. Evacuate standing water and check for erosion.
• Summer drought: Can lower water tables, sometimes drying shallow wells

Special Requirements

Arsenic Advisory Areas

Parts of the Piedmont and Mountain regions have naturally high arsenic in groundwater. NC DPH publishes private well water quality maps highlighting arsenic occurrence. Hotspots include Orange, Durham, and Chatham counties.

• No extra state casing depth requirement for arsenic
• If possible, penetrate below arsenic-bearing strata
• Strongly recommend arsenic testing before use
• Any arsenic >10 µg/L must be reported to homeowner

Contamination Zones

G.S. 87-97(e1) requires notice on permit applications if the site is within 1,000 ft of any known release of contaminants. The health department must notify the owner of potential risks.

Wellhead Protection Areas (WHPA)

Local jurisdictions may establish WHPAs around public supply wells. While voluntary in NC, drillers should check if drill sites are in a WHPA. Activities introducing pollution (fuel, chemicals, dumping) are typically restricted in WHPAs.

Contact local water utility or county health dept to check WHPA boundaries. NC Rural Water Association (NCRWA) provides free technical support: 336-731-6963.

Resources & Contacts

Regulatory References

• G.S. Chapter 87, Article 7 – NC Well Construction Act
• 15A NCAC 02C – Well Construction Standards
• 15A NCAC 02C.0107 – Water Supply Well Standards
• 15A NCAC 02C.0108 – Non-Water Supply Well Standards

Professional Associations

• North Carolina Ground Water Association (NCGWA) – Annual conferences, scholarship program
• North Carolina Rural Water Association (NCRWA): 336-731-6963 – Free wellhead protection assistance
• NC Waterworks Operators Association: Training for public system operators

Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions