Well construction & licensing

We regulate well construction to ensure safe drinking water, protect water resources, and provide minimum standards for the drilling industry. Our work involves:

  • Licensing drillers.
  • Inspecting well projects.
  • Administering enforcement.
  • Evaluating and changing regulations through our Well Construction Technical Advisory Group.

We also provide educational resources to property owners who want to drill a new well, maintain a well, or close down (decommission) an unused well.

Well drillers and property owners have the responsibility to ensure safe, legal access to groundwater. Water is not a property right in Washington state. There are many competing uses of water; parts of the state may not have enough water available for new wells or may be closed to future withdrawals.

Well information & resources