Georgia private well rules
Georgia's Water Well Standards Act is carried out by the Water Well Standards Advisory Council, which licenses water well drillers, certifies pump installers and investigates complaints.
Who licenses well work in Georgia
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division acts as the Council's agent. It reviews applications and issues licenses and certificates.
The Georgia Department of Public Health says private water wells are not subject to any regulatory authority, so keeping the water safe is up to the well owner.
Before drilling a new well, the licensed water well contractor must notify the county health department of the intent to drill.
Sources: Water Well Standards Act and Council; Private wells not monitored by the state; County health department notified before drilling
Who may work on a well pump
In Georgia, a certified pump contractor (pump installer) is the person in the business of installing, removing or servicing pumps and pumping equipment in water wells.
A certified pump contractor is responsible for any pump removal, repair or installation they perform or approve.
A homeowner does not need a pump contractor certificate to install, remove or service a pump on their own or leased property, as long as the water is not for public use or for any residence other than their own (qualifying farm wells are also covered).
The homeowner exemption does not cover property the owner is developing for resale. Pump work there needs a Georgia licensed water well contractor or certified pump contractor.
Source: Pump contractor defined
Does the state require well testing?
Georgia does not regulate private well water quality. The Department of Public Health says it is the well owner's responsibility to monitor it.
DPH recommends a bacteria test (total coliform and fecal coliform) every year.
DPH also recommends a W33C chemical screening of well water every 3 years.
Georgia's Drinking Water Supply Rules (effective 1995) require a coliform test by an approved lab when construction is finished and the system has been disinfected.
Sources: Owner is responsible; Annual bacteria test recommended; Coliform test for a newly built supply
Getting your water tested in Georgia
The W33C private well chemical test is available through local UGA Extension offices.
The W-35 coliform test is available through your county public health department or UGA County Extension office.
Under the DPH rules, the health authority will sample a private supply for bacteria at the owner's request if the well meets construction rules.
Sources: W33C chemical test through UGA Extension; Coliform test through county health or Extension; Health authority sampling on request
Disinfecting a well
After any pump installation, removal or onsite service, the well and pump must be disinfected with chlorine at 50 parts per million or more for at least 2 hours before pumping.
DPH says to disinfect a well after a positive bacteria test, new construction, any repairs, or flooding.
After shock chlorination, the water should be retested to confirm it is safe to drink.
Plugging an unused well
Any abandoned well or borehole must be filled, sealed and plugged by the current owner.
DPH generally treats a well unused for 365 days as temporarily abandoned and one unused for three years as permanently abandoned.
Source: Owner must plug abandoned wells
Checking a contractor's license
Georgia EPD keeps a list of licensed water well contractors and certified pump contractors on its Water Well Standards page.
EPD maintains listings of active licensed water well drillers and active certified pump installers.
EPD investigates written complaints filed within two years of a well's completion or within one year of a pump installation.
Common questions
Does Georgia require private well owners to test their water?
No. Georgia does not regulate private well water quality, and the Department of Public Health recommends a bacteria test every year and a chemical screen every 3 years.