Forms & Resources
Well Completion Report (DEC form WQ-4)
Required for every completed well. Due within 90 days.
Access Portal ↗Abandonment/Sealing Report
Required when sealing abandoned wells. Due within 90 days.
Download Forms ↗All Required Forms
- Well Completion Report (WQ-4): Submit via ANR Online Well Reports portal
- Abandonment/Closure Report: For sealing wells per state standards
- License Application: Available from VT Office of Professional Regulation
- Injurious Water Report: If contaminated water found during drilling
- High-Capacity Permit Application: For wells >57,600 gpd
Online Submission: Use the ANR Online Well Reports database for electronic filing of completion reports.
Licensing Requirements
Vermont issues two well driller licenses per Code of Vermont Rules 12-037-004. Pump installers and rig operators are exempt from well driller licensing.
License Classes
Qualifying Individual
Each business must designate a qualifying individual (a licensed driller who oversees operations). If this person leaves, the business has 30 days to designate a new qualifying individual before the license becomes invalid.
Exam Requirements
- Pass Vermont written exam (may be taken orally or by demonstration if failed in writing)
- Pass National Ground Water Association (NGWA) driller exam or equivalent
- Both exams required for each license class
- Exams scheduled after application approval
Experience Requirements
- Water Well Driller: Bachelor's degree or equivalent + documented participation in ≥5 recent well projects
- Monitoring Well Driller: Bachelor's degree or equivalent + participation in ≥5 monitoring projects
- Experience must be recent and verifiable
License Fees & Renewal
- Term: 3 years (expires June 30 every third year)
- Fees: Set by statute; historically prorated for initial licenses
- Renewal: Submit renewal application before expiration with CE documentation
- Lapsed licenses: ≤1 year late may be reinstated with fees + prorated CE (up to 8 hours); >1 year requires full re-application
Continuing Education
- Hours required: 8 hours per 3-year renewal cycle
- Topics: Well/drilling subjects (aquifer protection, construction standards, safety)
- Providers: Pre-approved by VT DEC or OPR (e.g., Vermont Rural Water Association, NGWA)
- Documentation: Submit CE certificates with renewal application
Criminal Background Check
Vermont offers a pre-clearance criminal background check for $25 before application. This ensures prior convictions won't disqualify you. Fee is deducted from license application fee if you proceed.
Reporting & Documentation
Well Completion Report Requirements
The well log (DEC form WQ-4) must include:
- Owner name and well location (GPS coordinates preferred)
- Depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information (type, depth, thickness)
- Static water level and yield test data
- Well tag number (metal ID plate affixed within 30 days)
- Vermont licensed driller signature
Incomplete/Dry Wells
Incomplete or abandoned wells (dry holes) also require a completion report within 90 days. Document depth drilled, formations encountered, and reason for abandonment.
Abandonment/Sealing Reports
- Abandoned wells must be sealed (grouted) per state standards
- Closure must be performed by a licensed driller
- File Closure Report within 90 days after sealing
- Monitoring well closures under remediation projects: report to oversight agency
Record Retention
- Keep all drill records (contracts, logs, maps, invoices) for at least 6 years
- Well tags (metal ID plates) must be affixed within 30 days
- Tag number must be noted on completion report
Construction Standards (12-030-003-X)
Vermont's Well Construction Standards are found in the Vermont Water Supply Rule, Appendix A (Part 12). All licensed drillers must comply with these standards.
Casing Requirements
Casing Materials
- Steel: Welded or threaded coupling joints required
- Plastic (PVC/PE): Must be NSF/ANSI-certified for potable water
- All casing must be strong, watertight pipe preventing water/contaminant movement
Grouting (Annular Seal)
- All permanent casing surrounded by at least 1.5″ neat cement grout to depth
- Exceptions only by DEP approval
- When permeable soils overlie aquifer: casing + grout must extend at least 18.5 ft below ground surface
- Proper grout placement prevents surface contamination
Critical
Bedrock wells require a minimum 20 ft of watertight casing set into sound bedrock. This is especially important in arsenic zones to bypass contaminated fractures.
Setback Requirements
Additional separation distances specified in VT Water Supply Rule Appendix A, Tables A11-1 and A11-2.
Disinfection
- All new, reconditioned, or repaired potable wells must be disinfected upon completion
- Method: Chlorination (bleach-chlorination) with proper circulation and flushing
- Ensure entire well system is disinfected before homeowner use
- Document disinfection procedures
Equipment Standards
- All equipment used in potable wells must be clean (no contaminated tools)
- Prevent introduction of contaminants during drilling
- No refueling or chemical storage near wellhead protection areas
Permits
Pre-Drill Notification
Vermont does not require routine pre-drilling notification for private wells.
- Exception: High-capacity wells (>57,600 gpd) require permit before drilling
- Public water systems: May need DEC source/construction permit
High-Capacity Wells
Any new commercial/industrial groundwater withdrawal exceeding 57,600 gallons per day(≈40 gpm) requires a Groundwater Withdrawal Permit under 10 V.S.A. §1418.
- Submit application to VT DEC with hydrogeologic information
- Proof of sustainability, water quality, and environmental impact required
- Domestic and small wells (<57,600 gpd) are exempt
Special Permits
- Geothermal wells (closed-loop): Generally exempt if no additives injected; open-loop or injection wells require UIC permit
- Monitoring wells: Usually no permit needed for site investigation; must be drilled by licensed monitoring-well driller
- Injection wells: Non-sanitary injection requires VT DEC UIC permit
- Public water systems: Source approval and construction permits from DEC
Local Requirements
Vermont has no county-level well drilling permits. All licensing and regulation is statewide under VT DEC/OPR. Town zoning or Act 250 may affect siting but not drilling methods.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Green Mountains (Central VT)
- Hard metamorphic bedrock (schist, gneiss, phyllite)
- Wells often hit bedrock immediately
- Typical depths: 100–300 ft
- Slow penetration, frequent bit changes
- Fractured rock yields water
Champlain Valley (Northwest VT)
- Glacial sand and gravel aquifers
- Limestone/shale bedrock below
- Shallower wells (often <200 ft)
- May encounter porous gravels
- Potential for caving/collapse without casing
Northeast Kingdom
- Igneous/metamorphic rock (granite, quartzite, marble)
- Very hard formations
- Variable depths (100–300+ ft)
- Uranium/radon common in granite
- Challenging drilling conditions
Southern Vermont
- Basalt dikes and metasediments
- Pyrite-bearing rocks (arsenic source)
- Taconics region (SW VT): elevated arsenic
- Advise deeper casing to bypass contamination
- Marble belt: very hard water common
Drilling Challenges
- Hard rock: Much of VT requires drilling through solid bedrock – slow penetration, higher casing/grout needs
- Artesian conditions: Some valley wells may flow; install pressure controls
- Caving zones: Sandy/glacial deposits may collapse unless cased or drilled with mud
- Asbestos: Parts of Barre/Williamstown have asbestos-bearing rock – avoid disturbing (federal/state guidelines)
Seasonal Factors
- Frozen ground: Winter frost line (up to 4 ft) may require thawing before surface work
- Spring thaw/flooding: High groundwater levels and surface flooding; avoid wetland impacts
- Water table fluctuations: Late summer/drought shows lower levels; spring/rain shows higher static levels
- Best practice: Test wells seasonally if possible to understand variations
Typical Depths
Shallow unconsolidated wells (Champlain Valley): 50–150 ft
Bedrock wells (mountains/NEK): 100–300+ ft
Monitoring/geothermal: Variable by design
Bedrock wells (mountains/NEK): 100–300+ ft
Monitoring/geothermal: Variable by design
Special Requirements
Arsenic Advisory Areas
Critical Arsenic Zones
Much of Vermont's granite bedrock yields arsenic. Southwestern Vermont(Green Mountains/Taconics, especially Bennington and Rutland counties) and granite formations statewide are high-risk areas.
In arsenic zones, drillers are advised to:
- Set casing at least 20 ft into fresh bedrock to bypass arsenic-bearing veins
- Inform homeowners of arsenic risk and recommend testing
- Consider extra casing depth and grouting
- VT Health recommends testing all new wells for arsenic
Contamination Zones
- Groundwater with nitrates, VOCs, or heavy metals may occur near agricultural areas, industrial sites, or karst terrain
- State publishes contaminated site maps (LUST, NRCS salt zones)
- Conduct site assessment noting nearby contamination (gas stations, landfills, abandoned sawmills)
- Document or explain mitigation measures
Wellhead Protection Areas
- Public water systems have delineated wellhead protection zones (circles up to 500 ft or more)
- Restrictions on land use within these zones
- When drilling near a public source: do not introduce contaminants (no refueling in WHPA)
- Proposed drill sites in/near WHPA may require additional DEC review
- Source protection maps available on DEC website
Resources & Contacts
Regulatory References
- 12-030-003-X – Vermont Water Supply Rule (construction standards, Appendix A Part 12)
- 12-037-004 – Well Driller Licensing Rule
- 10 V.S.A. Chapter 48 – Groundwater withdrawal permits (high-capacity wells)
Online Systems
- ANR Online Well Reports Portal – Submit completion/abandonment reports electronically
- VT DEC Forms Page – Download all official forms (permits, applications, reports)
- OPR "Find a Professional" – Verify driller licenses online
Professional Associations
- National Ground Water Association (NGWA): Standard driller certification exams and technical resources nationwide
- Vermont Rural Water Association: CE workshops for water professionals (CE credit applicable to driller licenses)
Frequently Asked Questions
Renew through VT Office of Professional Regulation before your June 30 expiration date (every 3 years). You must complete 8 hours of approved continuing education per 3-year cycle before renewal. Submit renewal application with fee and CE documentation to VT DEC/OPR.
8 hours of approved continuing education every 3 years. Courses must cover well/drilling topics (aquifer protection, construction standards, safety) and be pre-approved by DEC or OPR. Vermont Rural Water Association training is credited.
Within 90 days after completion. Submit via the ANR Online Well Reports portal using DEC form WQ-4. A copy must also be provided to the well owner. Include well tag number, depth, lithology, casing details, yield, and water levels.
100 ft from septic tanks/leach fields, 200 ft from lagoons, 50 ft from sanitary sewers, 20 ft from septic lines, and at least 25 ft from roads/property lines. All setbacks per VT Water Supply Rule Appendix A.
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