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 who drill 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. 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. Many 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.
If you would like more information on well permits, please contact Matt Miller at (401) 231-3402 or via e-mail at matt@waterwell.biz
Q. Do you own and operate your own well drilling equipment?
A. If this answer is "no", your well will most likely be
drilled by a subcontractor. Ask the well driller for the name of the
company or subcontractor that will be drilling the well.
We strongly recommend checking out the
company or subcontractor that will be drilling the well by following the
same steps above. You may find it to be easier to contract
directly with the company that will be drilling the well.
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 Matt Miller at (401) 231-3402 or via e-mail at
matt@waterwell.biz
Contact Us | F.A.Q. | Links | Services | Water Testing
Copyright © 2008 Water Well Systems Inc. All rights reserved.
