North Carolina Mountain Property Water Supply Wells: What you need to know
What you should know
A properly located, constructed and
maintained well provides a safe, dependable
and economical source of water. On
the whole, North Carolina’s ground water is
of very high quality. In some areas of our
state, ground water is the only source of fresh,
clean water that is available. More than half
the citizens in our state rely on ground water
as their sole water source. Ground water
pollution is often confined to the well itself
and is a result of improper location, construction
or maintenance. However, local pollution
of the ground water resource can occur as
a result of improperly constructed and maintained
septic systems, municipal and industrial
waste lagoons, chemical stock piles, petroleum
storage facilities, and other similar sources.
Dependable, certified well contractors can
prevent many water quality or pollution issues
for the homeowner by properly locating and
constructing a well in accordance with local,
state and federal rules. All well contractors
must be individually certified each year with
the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR) in order to construct,
repair, alter or abandon wells in North
Carolina.
A certified well contractor must be onsite
during the construction, abandonment, repair
or any alteration of any well.
Without a current certification, it is illegal
to perform well contractor activities and/or for
a person to advertise as a well contractor.
In 1967 the N.C. General Assembly
enacted legislation to protect the public
welfare, safety, health and the ground water
resources of N.C. Under authority of this
legislation, known as the Well Construction
Act, comprehensive rules governing the
location, construction, repair and abandonment
of wells were adopted and made effective
February 1, 1976.
These well construction rules, or standards,
also address the installation and repair
of pumps and pumping equipment. Pump
installers are required to be registered with the
DENR in order to perform services.
For additional information on water supply
wells, please see our other informational
pamphlets:
North Carolina Water Wells
What you should know about drilling and
construction standards for a safe and
dependable water supply
Well Abandonment
Know the rules to protect yourself and
our groundwater.
North Carolina Department of
Environment & Natural Resources
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