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Maine Water Well Commission
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The Maine Water Well Commission was created by an act of the Legislature in 1994 to protect drinking water and groundwater quality by establishing standards for well location and construction, as well as minimum requirements for well driller and pump installer licensure. The Commission also investigates complaints regarding potential violations of the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Rules, 144 CMR 232 (PDF).
News
- Online license renewal is now available. Click here to access the online license renewal portal. Please follow the instructions noted there. You will need either your current active license certificate (full-size, not wallet) or the renewal reminder letter that was mailed to you at the beginning of November. The online renewal service is available 24-7, although technical assistance is only available from the service provider during regular business hours.
- The new Notice of Intent to Hydrofrack is now available. Click here to view or download (PDF).
- Until further notice, Commission meeting will be held in Room 109 of the Harlow Building, 18 Elkins Lane, Augusta.
Useful Links for Well Owners
- Water and Well Facts for Private Well Owners (Maine DWP)
- Information for Drinking Water Consumers (Maine DWP – Includes information relating to private wells.)
- Private Well Water Safety and Testing (Maine CDC)
- Maine Groundwater Association
- National Groundwater Association
Maine Water Well Commission Members
Commission members are appointed by the Governor and represent licensed well drillers, geologists employed by the State, and the public.
Edward Bowie, Master Well Driller, Chairperson
Dwight Doughty, Hydrogeologist
Jessica Meeks, Maine Geological Survey (MGS), Hydrogeologist
Alex Pugh, Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP), Sr Hydrogeologist
Mike Otley, Public Member
Jesse Goodwin, Master Well Driller
Frank Hegarty, Master Well Driller
The Commission can be contacted via the Clerk: Email or phone (207) 287-5699.
Meetings & Minutes
The Maine Water Well Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. At the close of each meeting, the venue of the next meeting will be announced.
MWWC Monthly Meetings (In-Person and Online):
- Upcoming Meetings
- Wednesday, December 11th, 2024, 9am to 12pm – Monthly Meeting
- Location: 18 Elkins Lane, Harlow Building Room 109, Augusta, ME
Find the Harlow Building using Google Maps - Online Meeting (Zoom): Click this link to join the meeting.
For copies of older minutes contact the Drinking Water Program at (207) 287-2070.
Licensure and Exams
The Commission has the authority to license well drillers, geothermal heat exchange well drillers, well drilling companies, geothermal heat exchange well pump installers, pump installers, and pump installation companies. The Commission is further authorized to initiate action for the revocation or suspension of such licenses.
“Effective January 1, 1994, a person may not engage in the business of constructing water wells within the State or engage in the installation, replacement or repair of a pump in a water well unless licensed with the commission. An applicant for licensure must complete an application form supplied by the commission, successfully complete any examination required by this chapter and pay an annual license fee established by the commission.” [MRS Title 32, Chapter 69-C §4700-H, 2; §4700-J]
Well Driller and Pump Installer Exams are offered at the Drinking Water Program's office at 286 Water Street in Augusta, ME.
Please contact the Commission Clerk for further information about licensing and exams: email or phone (207) 287-2070.
Complaints
The Water Well Commission will address complaints regarding the work of a licensed well driller or pump installer.
Complaints must be received by the Commission within 2 years of the date the work in question was performed. Complaints must be in writing (although they can be anonymous) and should include as much information as possible.
Complaint materials should include:
- Relevant pictures,
- Water quality test results,
- The location of the well,
- The name(s) of the individuals and companies that performed the work,
- The date the work was performed, and
- A written description of the problem and issues that initiated the complaint.
Submit all of the above information to the Commission's clerk. The Commission will review the complaint at its next regular meeting. Complaints determined to have the potential for a violation of the rules will be investigated by the Commission's independent inspector. Complaints on issues that do not constitute a violation of the rules will not be accepted for investigation. (An example of such a complaint might be water with high amounts of iron. Drillers are not typically responsible for the levels of naturally occurring contaminants.)
Well Driller Complaint Form (PDF)
Professional Listings
Licensed in Maine only.
Applications and Forms
Well Drillers
- Well Driller and Pump Installer License Renewal Form (PDF)
- Apprentice Water Well Driller Application (PDF)
- Journeyman Water Well Driller Exam Application (PDF)
- Master Water Well Driller Exam Application (PDF)
Pump Installers
- Well Driller and Pump Installer License Renewal Form (PDF)
- Apprentice Pump Installer Application (PDF)
- Journeyman Pump Installer Exam Application(PDF)
- Master Pump Installer Exam Application (PDF)
Companies
Specialty Wells
References
Updated 11/15/2024
