Forms & Resources
Required within 24 hours of making a drilling contract.
Mail or fax to: DCNR - Bureau of Topographic & Geologic Survey, Water Well Drillers Licensing, P.O. Box 8453, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8453
Download Form ↗Required immediately upon finishing each well. Submit electronically via PaGWIS.
PaGWIS Portal ↗All DCNR Forms
- Notice of Intention to Drill: Filed within 24 hours of contract (no fee)
- Form WWI (Well Completion Report): Immediate electronic submission via PaGWIS + copy to owner
- Notice of Intent to Abandon (W-1 Abandonment Report): At least 10 days before plugging
- License Application (WWD-LIC-015-E): Annual renewal via GreenPort
Licensing Requirements
Pennsylvania requires a Water Well Driller license for any contractor drilling a well on others' property per Act 610 of 1956 (32 P.S. § 645.1 et seq.).
License Fees
No Exam Required
Pennsylvania does not require a formal exam or demonstration of skill by law. Licenses and rig permits are granted on application and fee payment.
Application Process
- Submit application on DCNR forms to: DCNR - Bureau of Topographic & Geologic Survey, P.O. Box 8453, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8453
- Fee: $60 for driller license + $20 per drilling rig
- Payable to "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania"
- Applicants must sign license form in ink
- Can renew online via PaGWIS/GreenPort portal
Renewal Cycle
- Annual licenses: June 1 through May 31
- Renewal due: Before May 31 expiration each year
- Late renewals: May incur reinstatement fees
- Add rigs mid-year: $20 per rig by notifying DCNR
Reporting & Documentation
Well Log Requirements (Form WWI)
The well completion report must include:
- Accurate location (latitude/longitude or legal description)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths installed
- Grouting/sealing information
- Well yield and static water level
- Pump test data (if conducted)
Abandonment Reporting
Before plugging/sealing an unused or ruined well, send a "Notice of Intent to Abandon" to DCNR at least 10 days in advance. Follow DCNR's "Water Well Abandonment Guidelines" to ensure proper filling and capping. After abandonment, update the completion report to indicate the well was plugged.
Construction Standards (17 Pa. Code Section 47)
Primary Well Code
The Water Well Drillers' License Act (Act 610 of 1955, 32 P.S. §645.1 et seq.) and implementing regulations Title 17 Pa. Code Chapter 47 ("Drilling Water Wells") are the primary statutes governing well construction.
Casing Materials
- Public Water Supply (PWS) wells: New, pressure-rated steel or equivalent (threaded or continuously welded) extending through all unconsolidated/loose strata into stable bedrock or confining layers
- Private wells: Steel or PVC casing meeting NSF/ANSI standards for potable water
- All materials: Screen, pitless adapter, etc. must meet NSF/ANSI standards
Annular Seal (Grouting)
- Annulus between casing and borehole must be grouted (cement or bentonite) from bottom up for sanitary seal
- Wells terminate above frost depth with a sanitary well seal/cap
- Surface completion: minimum 4-inch thick slab, 2 ft from casing, sloped to drain (for PWS)
Setback Requirements
Disinfection
Wells must be disinfected after construction. Use chlorine bleach solution: fill the well with 50-200 mg/L free chlorine for 12-24 hours, then thoroughly purge before sampling. DEP's "Disinfection of Home Wells and Springs" procedure notes disinfection should be done immediately after completing a new well or repair.
Permits
Private Wells
Pennsylvania does not regulate private wells. No state drilling permit is required for residential wells. The driller files a "Notice of Intention to Drill" with DCNR within 24 hours of contract.
High-Capacity Wells (>10,000 GPD)
PA law (Title 27, Water Resources Planning Act) defines a "substantial withdrawal" as any groundwater withdrawal averaging greater than 10,000 gallons per day over a 30-day period.
- Must register the withdrawal with DEP (via Water Use Reporting system)
- Public water supply wells require a Construction Permit from DEP before drilling (25 Pa. Code §109.503-.506)
- Permit process involves siting data, aquifer tests, plans, and public notice
County/Local Permits
Some counties have additional well permitting or approval requirements for large wells. For example, Chester County requires written county health department approval for non-agricultural high-yield wells. Always check with county conservation/health departments for local groundwater drilling ordinances.
Special Permits
- Geothermal/Open-Loop Wells: Closed-loop geothermal (no groundwater exchange) is not regulated as a water supply well. Open-loop systems may require EPA/DEP Underground Injection Control permits and water use reporting.
- Monitoring Wells: Groundwater monitoring or remediation wells do not need separate drilling permits, but require Notice of Intent. If withdrawing greater than 10,000 gpd, fall under withdrawal registration rules.
- Oil/Gas Deep Wells: Regulated under PA Oil & Gas law (Title 58, Ch. 78), not by the Water Well License Act.
Drilling Conditions by Region
- Sandstones and shales (Catskill, Lock Haven Fms)
- Often with glacial till cover
- Typical depths: 50-300+ ft
- Watch for arsenic in some areas
- Folded limestones, dolomites, sandstones
- Karst common (cavernous flow or voids)
- Artesian/flowing wells possible in confined aquifers
- Seasonal recharge variations
- Hard rock: schist, gneiss, metamorphic rocks
- Alternating with Triassic sandstone
- Greatly slows drilling, causes bit wear
- East of "hardrock line" - highest costs
- Sandstones (Pottsville, Mauch Chunk) and limestone
- Deep sandstone aquifers may require very long drill strings
- Water quality issues: iron, manganese, acidity near mining
- Typical domestic wells: 30-200 ft unconsolidated, 50-300+ ft bedrock
Seasonal Considerations
- Winter: Frozen ground may require thawing the surface; anticipate frost depth (2-4 ft typical) below casing
- Spring: High water tables or floods can flood holes before grouting - plan for pumping/containment. Peak water levels typically April/May
- Late summer/early fall: Low water table (less formation loss), lowest groundwater levels
- Groundwater levels: Often peak in early spring and trough in late summer/early fall; well yields may reflect these swings
Special Requirements
Arsenic Advisory
DEP and PA Dept. of Health have identified localized high-arsenic zones in some counties (e.g. parts of Bucks, Carbon, Monroe, Lehigh, and western PA near mining areas). Wherever bedrock contains arsenic (often sulfide-bearing shales or minerals), advise owners to test the well. Consider longer casing to clean formations.
Other Contaminants
- Orphan mine areas: Elevated iron/manganese, acidity or VOCs - consider grouting above suspect zones
- Agricultural areas: Seasonal nitrate issues - advise annual testing
- Radon: Common statewide - recommend testing
- PFAS: Near military/firefighting or industrial sites - advise testing if suspected
Resources & Contacts
Regulatory References
- 17 Pa. Code Chapter 47 – Water Well Drillers regulations
- 25 Pa. Code Chapter 109 – Safe Drinking Water (public wells)
- Title 27 - Water Resources Planning Act – Substantial withdrawal registration (greater than 10,000 gpd)
Professional Associations
- Pennsylvania Ground Water Association (PGWA): www.pgwa.org - Member meetings, technical support
- PA Rural Water Association (PRWA): www.prwa.com - Water system operation courses
- PA Section - American Water Works Assoc. (PA-AWWA): www.paawwa.org - Drinking water professionals
- National Ground Water Assoc. (NGWA): National certification/training
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Pennsylvania well guide for homeowners covering costs, testing, and water quality.
Pennsylvania Homeowner Well Guide →