Consumer Tips - Choosing A Well Driller
If you are thinking of drilling a well, we recommend that you take a moment to consider the items below to ensure that the well driller you choose is properly licensed and experienced.
Please Note: In recent years, the number of unlicensed well drillers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts has increased. We strongly recommend that you review Items #2 and #3 below to ensure that the well driller you choose is licensed. Also, we strongly recommend choosing a well driller who is a member of the National Ground Water Association.
1. Ask neighbors and relatives who had drilled their water well. Be sure to ask whether or not they were satisfied with their well driller's performance.
2. All professional well drillers are members of the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). Also, professional well drillers in Massachusetts are members of both the NGWA and the Massachusetts Ground Water Association (MGWA).
Please use the links below to find a well driller who is a member of the NGWA or MGWA.
Massachusetts Well Drillers
Massachusetts Ground Water Association
Rhode Island Well Drillers
National Ground Water Association
3. By law, any person or company that drills a water well in Rhode Island or Massachusetts must be licensed (registered) with the state.
Please use the links below to ensure that the well driller you choose is
registered in the state where the well will be drilled.
Massachusetts Registered Well Drilling Contractors
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
Rhode Island Registered Well Drilling Contractors
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Recommended Questions to Ask the Well Driller
Q. Do you have Worker's Compensation Insurance and Liability Insurance?
A. All Well Drillers are required to have Worker's Compensation Insurance and Liability Insurance. If the well driller's answer sounds hesitant or suspicious, require him or her to provide you with a certificate of insurance before you sign the well drilling agreement.
Q. What water tests are required?
A. For domestic drinking water wells, water testing requirements are as follows:
Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Department of Health requires water testing when a new well is drilled (for domestic use) and/or before a property that relies on a well for domestic use is sold. Please click here for more information.
Massachusetts: Water testing regulations are established by the Board of Health in the city or town where the well is located. Please click here for more information.
Q. How far must the well be from the septic system, cesspool, roadway, etc.?
A. Both Rhode Island and Massachusetts have regulations that require new wells to be located a certain distance away from septic systems, cesspools, roadways, etc. In short, this answer should never be "There are no requirements".
Q. What Permits are Required to Drill the Well?
A. Most cities and towns in Massachusetts, as well as a few cities and towns in Rhode Island, require that a permit be obtained before a well is drilled.
A professional well driller will normally obtain the well permit (if such a permit is necessary) for the homeowner. However, we certainly recommend that you ask the well driller if they will be taking care of the permits to ensure that the well is installed legally.
To view a printable brochure from the Water Systems Council on Selecting a Well Contractor, please click here.
For more information on choosing a well driller,
please contact us at
(401) 231-3402 / (508) 822-1100 via e-mail at
info@waterwell.biz
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