Forms & Resources
Well Completion Report (E1621)
Required for every completed well. Due within 30 days per SDCL 46-6.
Download Form ↗Plugging Report (E1630)
Required when abandoning/plugging a well. Due within 30 days.
Download Form ↗All DANR Forms
- Form E1621: Water Well Completion Report (required for all wells)
- Form E1630: Well and Test Hole Plugging Report
- Form E1620: Well Rehabilitation Report
- License Application: Well Driller or Pump Installer License Application
- Water Right Permits: Application for large-capacity wells (≥18 gpm)
Permanent Records: All well logs and plugging reports are retained indefinitely by DANR as permanent public records. Drillers should also maintain their own copies and field notes.
Licensing Requirements
South Dakota requires licensed Well Drillers and Well Pump Installers per SDCL 46-6. Operating a drilling rig without a license is illegal.
License Fees & Renewal
Residency Definition
Resident = primary SD address with no other state residency claim within 90 days. Nonresident fee is $300 vs. $200 resident fee.
Exam & Experience Requirements
- New licenses: Written exam required (contact DANR at 605-773-3352 to schedule)
- Experience documentation: Dates, companies, supervisor names, well types, cementing/grouting experience
- License representative: Must designate a license representative with documented qualifications
- No separate rig operator license: Operating rigs falls under Well Driller license
Continuing Education
- Required for annual renewal per ARSD 74:02:01:42.08
- Topics: Well construction, drilling technology, groundwater contamination, water quality, geology/hydrology, well plugging
- Course criteria: State-approved, minimum 1 hour, documented attendance, knowledgeable instructors
- Record retention: Keep CE certificates for submission with renewal
Reporting & Documentation
Well Completion Report Requirements
Form E1621 must include:
- Owner name and address
- Location (legal description and coordinates)
- Total depth and depth to water-bearing zones
- Lithology (formation descriptions)
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information and volumes
- Pump test data (yield, drawdown, static level)
- Disinfection method and date
Abandoned Wells
When drilling a replacement well, the old well is considered "abandoned" and must be plugged within 30 days of the new well's operation per SDCL 46-6-27. File Form E1630 (Plugging Report) after completion.
No Pre-Drilling Notification
South Dakota has no pre-drilling permit or notification requirement for water wells (beyond water-right permits for large-capacity wells). Drilling may proceed once the owner obtains any required water-right permit.
Construction Standards (ARSD 74:02:04)
Casing Materials
- All casing: Must be new or like-new condition
- Approved materials: Steel, thermoplastic (PVC), copper, fiberglass, concrete, precast
- Joints: Must be straight and watertight per manufacturer specs
- Standards: Follow ARSD 74:02:04:42 for casing connections
Grouting Requirements
- Cement and bentonite grouting must meet minimum volumes per ARSD 74:02:04:53–55
- Annular seal required to isolate aquifers
- Minimum hole diameters specified in ARSD 74:02:04:57
- Gravel pack and centralizers per ARSD 74:02:04:50–52
Well Pits Prohibited
Wells in pits are prohibited per ARSD 74:02:04:26. Wells must be completed above ground with proper casing extensions to prevent contamination and freeze damage.
Setback Requirements
* Monitoring wells assessing contamination are exempt from setback rules per ARSD 74:02:04:24.
Disinfection
All new, reconditioned, or repaired wells must be disinfectedfollowing ARSD 74:02:04 Appendix H. Typical procedure:
- Fill well with chlorine solution (50-100 mg/L dose)
- Circulate throughout casing and all lengths
- Post-development sampling to confirm bacteria-free water
- Document dosage and method on completion report
Flowing Wells
Artesian wells that flow must have a pressure regulator valveinstalled per ARSD 74:02:04:72 to control flow and prevent waste.
Permits
Large-Capacity Wells
Wells capable of ≥0.04 cubic feet/sec (~18 gpm) require a water-right permitbefore drilling. This includes:
- Irrigation wells
- Municipal and commercial wells
- Industrial wells
- Any well for non-domestic use
Permit applications are submitted to DANR Water Rights. Processing typically takes ~2 months if uncontested. Once approved, construction must be completed within 5 years, with a "completion of works" notice filed.
Domestic Wells Exempt
Single-family domestic wells need no water-right permit per SDCL 46-5-8. However, all wells still require completion report filing.
No Local Permits
South Dakota has no additional county well-permitting beyond state rules. All licensing, setback, and construction standards are statewide. Counties may set drilling hours or local zoning, but no separate local drilling permits are required.
Special Well Types
- Geothermal (closed-loop): Requires licensed driller per ARSD 74:02:04:38, but no special permit beyond driller license
- Monitoring wells: Exempt from setback rules if installed solely for contamination assessment
Drilling Conditions by Region
Eastern Glacial Plains
- Shallow glacially derived aquifers (sand/gravel)
- Typical depths: 50–150 ft
- Moderate yields, unconsolidated formations
- Watch for nitrate in agricultural areas
- Proper grouting critical to prevent collapse
Black Hills (West)
- Hard rock: Precambrian granite and Paleozoic limestone
- Typical depths: 300–1,000+ ft
- Fractured rock drilling, slow penetration
- Madison/Deadwood formations, often artesian
- Requires heavy-duty equipment and casing
Central Plains
- Dakota, Minnelusa, Lakota, Madison aquifers
- Artesian or semi-artesian conditions common
- Pressure regulators often required (ARSD 74:02:04:72)
- Depths vary widely: 200–800 ft typical
Western Plains
- Ogallala aquifer (Tertiary)
- Typical depths: 50–200 ft
- Generally ample yields
- Watch for water table drawdown in irrigation areas
Seasonal Considerations
- Frozen ground: Frost line ~3–4 ft. Well pits prohibited; use above-ground completions
- Flooding: Wells in flood-prone areas must be properly capped and backfilled per ARSD 74:02:04:26
- Water table fluctuations: Seasonal recharge in spring; drought can lower tables significantly
- Winter drilling: Equipment winterization critical; mud can freeze in extreme cold
Well Log Database
Reference the SD Well Log Database for county-specific depth and geology information from previously drilled wells.
Resources & Contacts
Regulatory References
- ARSD 74:02:04 – Well Construction Standards (complete chapter)
- SDCL 46-6 – Groundwater and Wells (licensing, reporting, plugging)
- ARSD 74:02:01:42.08 – Continuing education criteria for drillers
- ARSD 74:02:04:24 – Well location setback requirements
Industry Resources
- SD Well Drillers Association (SDWDA): Training, conventions, networking (605-390-3233)
- DANR Forms Portal: All licensing and reporting forms available online
- License Verification: apps.sd.gov/nr68welllogs/driller (public lookup)
Frequently Asked Questions
Licenses must be renewed annually by January 31. Fee is $200 for residents or $300 for nonresidents. You must complete required continuing education (CE) in topics like well construction, groundwater contamination, and geology before renewal. Contact DANR Water Rights at 605-773-3352 for renewal forms.
Continuing education is required for annual renewal per ARSD 74:02:01:42.08. Courses must cover well construction, drilling technology, groundwater contamination, water quality, geology/hydrology, and well plugging. Courses must be state-approved, minimum 1 hour, with documented attendance.
Within 30 days after completion per SDCL 46-6. Submit Form E1621 (Well Completion Report) to DANR Water Rights. Include owner information, location, depths, casing/grout details, yield data, and pumping test results. Reports are permanent public records.
Setbacks vary by aquifer depth and contamination source. Shallow wells (<100 ft) require ≥150 ft from pollution sources, ≥75 ft from septics. Deep wells (>100 ft) require ≥100 ft from pollution sources, ≥50 ft from septics. Public water system wells require ≥500-1,000 ft from major sources per ARSD 74:02:04:24.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our South Dakota well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
South Dakota Homeowner Well Guide →