DWR_4148979

• Rule Name: Water Well Construction Rules ‎(2CCR-402-2)‎
• Document Date: 10/17/2023
• Document Type - Rulemaking: Draft, Proposed and Redlined Rules
• Subject: October 2023 Draft Proposed Rules/Redline
• Date Effective: 1/1/2026
• Year Initiated: 2023

TABLE 1: SUMMARY OF LICENSING AND CONSTRUCTION AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS
STRUCTURE WHO MAY CONSTRUCT REQUIRED AUTHORIZATION
Type of Well or Borehole Licensed Authorized Special Approved Approved
Individual License Well Permit Notice of
Intent
BOREHOLE DOES NOT PENETRATE THROUGH A CONFINING UNIT*
Water well X X
Gallery/infiltration well X X X
Monit./observ. well, X X X X
recovery well, & certain
dewatering system
Monit./observ. holes & X X X X
dewatering wells
Test holes X X X
BOREHOLE DOES PENETRATE THROUGH A CONFINING UNIT*
Water well X T X
6.7
Monit./observ. well, X X X
recovery well & certain
dewatering system
Monit./observ. hole and X X X
dewatering well
Test holes X X X
*As defined in Rule 5.2.13, a confining unit between two distinct or administratively defined aquifers.
Notes:
1) This table summarizes minimum licensing requirements. A licensed contractor is authorized to construct
all of the types of wells or holes indicated above. Special licenses may be obtained for certain types of
specialized work or well construction, as allowed in Rule 6.5 of the Board's Rules and Regulations for
Administration of Licensing, Financial Responsibility, Continuing Education and Remedial Action, 2 CCR
402-14. Persons who obtain a special license and authorized individuals are restricted to the type of work for
which they are licensed or qualified.
2) Monitoring and observation holes constructed pursuant to notice as provided in Rule 6.3, or under a
special license issued by the Board, may not be converted into water wells (see Rule 14). Monitoring and
observation holes must be plugged and sealed within eighteen (18) months after being constructed (see
Rule 16.4). The requirement to permit a monitoring and observation well also applies to any borehole that
will remain in use for more than eighteen (18) months (e.g., long-term piezometers).
3) The requirements for test holes only apply to geotechnical boreholes that are not used for repeated
measurements, observations, and samplings of groundwater(see Rules 5.2.54 & 14.5).