Forms & Resources
Form U.W.5 - Application for Permit
Required before drilling any groundwater well. Landowner or driller files.
Download Form ↗Form U.W.6 - Statement of Completion
Required after well completion. File before permit expires.
Download Form ↗All SEO Forms
- Form U.W.5: Application for Permit to Appropriate Groundwater
- Form U.W.6: Statement of Completion and Description of Works
- Form U.W.8/U.W.8P: Existing well registrations (if applicable)
- Abandonment Report: Letter/form to SEO referencing permit number and plugging method
Online Submission: Use the Wyoming e-Permit System for electronic filing of permits and completion statements.
Licensing Requirements
Wyoming requires licensed contractors for all well drilling and pump installation per W.S. 33-42-101 et seq.
License Types & Fees
Requirements
- Meet experience/education criteria (varies by license type)
- Pass written examination administered by the Licensing Board
- Criminal background check may be required
- Submit proof of experience (e.g., journeyman certificate or work history)
Renewal Cycle
- Term: 3 years (expires December 31 of 3rd year)
- Deadline: Renew by December 31 of expiration year
- Grace period: 31 days (through January 31)
- After Feb 1: License lapses; must reapply with new license fee
Continuing Education
- Hours required: 6-12 hours per 3-year renewal cycle (set by Board)
- Topics: Hydraulics, water quality, safety, code updates, industry standards
- Providers: Board-approved providers only
- Record retention: Keep certificates for 1+ year after course date
Exam Information
After the Board approves your application, schedule the exam. Study materials cover drilling methods, well construction standards, and plumbing/pump systems. Contact the Board at 307-777-5403 for exam details.
Reporting & Documentation
Statement of Completion (U.W.6) Requirements
The completion statement must include:
- Well depth and lithology (formation descriptions)
- Water-bearing zones encountered
- Casing sizes, materials, and depths
- Grouting/sealing information (materials, depths)
- Pump test data (if conducted)
- Final construction details (wellhead height, cap type, etc.)
Permit Expiration
If drilling is completed after the permit expires, you must submit a notarized affidavit or administrative request to reinstate the permit before filing U.W.6. Contact the SEO Ground Water Division for guidance.
Construction Standards (2011)
All wells must comply with the Wyoming Water Well Minimum Construction Standards (2011), promulgated by the State Engineer per W.S. 41-3-909.
Casing Requirements
- Materials: Steel (ASTM-A53, minimum Schedule 10), PVC (NSF/ANSI-certified, ASTM F480), or concrete pipe
- Depth: Must penetrate at least 10 ft into producing aquifer for secure seal
- Wellhead: Casing must extend ≥18 inches above finish grade
- Connections: Flanged or slip couplings must be properly bonded
Grouting/Sealing
- All annular spaces above target aquifer must be grouted
- Approved materials: Neat Portland cement, sand-cement mix, Portland cement with aggregate, bentonite chip/slurry, or cement-bentonite blends
- Surface seal: Minimum 6 inches thick, 4 inches to 2 ft below grade
- Purpose: Prevent vertical movement of water between aquifers
Setback Requirements
Best Practice
Always attempt to locate wells upgradient of contamination sources, regardless of minimum setback distances. This provides an extra layer of protection.
Disinfection
All new wells and rehabilitated wells for drinking or sanitary use must be disinfected before being placed in service. Typical method:
- Chlorination (100 mg/L residual for 2+ hours)
- Surging and flushing per SEO Appendix A procedures
- All pumps, piping, and equipment must be cleaned and chlorinated
Flowing/Artesian Wells
Important
Wyoming law (W.S. 41-3-909(a)(vii)) mandates that flowing wells must be capped or plugged to prevent waste. Special casing and surface capping equipment is required for artesian wells.
Permits
Water Rights Permits
All groundwater wells require a permit from the State Engineer before drilling (W.S. 41-3-930). This includes domestic, stock, irrigation, municipal, and industrial wells.
- File Form U.W.5 before drilling
- Domestic/stock permits typically approved in 1–2 weeks
- Larger appropriations may take longer
- Driller must have approved permit on site before drilling
No County Permits
Wyoming does not have county-level drilling permits. All well permitting is centralized through the State Engineer's Office. (Local counties may have setback or well location reviews in subdivision approvals, but no separate drilling permit is required.)
Special Permits
- Geothermal/heat pumps: Covered under W.S. 33-42-102. Drilling license required; may need water right permit if water is used or reinjected.
- Monitoring wells: Small monitoring wells (<4″ diameter) for sampling/observation only are exempt from water-right permitting, but must follow construction standards.
- Dewatering wells: Temporary construction dewatering may have different requirements. Contact SEO Ground Water Division for guidance.
Drilling Conditions by Region
Eastern Plains (High Plains Aquifer)
- Thick alluvial sand-and-gravel (Ogallala Formation)
- Typical depths: 50–300 ft
- Unconfined aquifer (no artesian pressure)
- Watch for seasonal water table fluctuations
Central Basins (Powder River, Wind River)
- Sedimentary Tertiary/Cretaceous aquifers (Fox Hills, Lance, Niobrara)
- Typical depths: 300–600 ft
- Yields 50–150 gpm in valleys
- Water quality: fresh to moderately saline
Western Wyoming (Mountain Basins)
- Fractured aquifers (Paleozoic carbonates: Tensleep, Madison Limestone)
- Artesian conditions possible in valleys (Bighorn, Jackson Hole)
- Alluvium along Snake River, Green River yields easily
- Variable water quality, pressure requires special capping
Hard Rock & Mountain Areas
- Granite, limestone, hard sandstone formations
- Require heavy-duty rotary or cable tool drilling
- Lost circulation zones common
- Centralizers and reaming often needed
Seasonal Considerations
Frozen Ground
Northern Wyoming can have frost depths exceeding 3–4 ft. Wells must be drilled during thaw periods or with special equipment. Use pitless adapters to bury pumplines below frost line.
Spring Flooding
High spring runoff in mountain basins can wash out access roads or inundate floodplain wells. Ensure well pits are above flood levels with proper drainage.
Water Table Fluctuation
Monsoon and snowmelt recharge raise shallow water tables seasonally. May encounter perched aquifers in spring. Late summer drilling sees lower tables.
Regional Resources
Reference SEO aquifer maps and USGS regional studies for detailed geology. Contact local drillers for specific formation conditions in your area.
Resources & Contacts
Regulatory References
- W.S. 33-42-101 et seq. – Water Well Drillers and Pump Installers licensing
- W.S. 41-3-909 – State Engineer powers (construction standards)
- W.S. 41-3-930 – Groundwater appropriation permits required
- Wyoming Water Well Minimum Construction Standards (2011) – SEO Regulations & Instructions, Part III
Frequently Asked Questions
Renew before December 31 of your 3rd year through the Wyoming Water Well Contractors Licensing Board. Fee is $200 per 3-year term. You must complete required continuing education hours (6-12 hours) before renewal. After Jan 31, licenses lapse and require new application/fee.
The Licensing Board establishes CE requirements for each renewal cycle (typically 6-12 hours per 3-year term). Courses must be from Board-approved providers and cover topics like hydraulics, water quality, safety, or code updates. Keep certificates for at least 1 year after the course date.
File Form U.W.6 before the permit expires. If a permit is for 3 years, the completion statement must be filed within that timeframe, even if drilling finished earlier. In practice, file within 60 days of completion. Use the e-Permit system or mail to the SEO Ground Water Division.
Minimum setbacks: ≥100 ft from septic disposal fields, ≥50 ft from livestock pens, sewage lagoons, and sewer lines. Always attempt to locate wells upgradient of contamination sources. Springs used as wells must meet the same setback requirements.
Looking for Homeowner Information?
Check out our Wyoming well guide for homeowners covering costs, permits, and water quality.
Wyoming Homeowner Well Guide →