Virginia private well rules
Since November 6, 2024, building, altering, deepening or abandoning a private well in Virginia requires a written construction permit from the health commissioner.
Who certifies well contractors in Virginia
After a new well is built, local health department staff inspect it before approving it for use.
Virginia's Private Well Regulations require anyone building, repairing or altering a private well to be licensed and certified under the state's contractor laws.
The Virginia Department of Health says operating and maintaining a private well is the owner's responsibility.
Sources: Construction permit required; Health department inspects new wells
Who may work on a well pump
A certified water well systems provider is the individual who drills, installs, maintains or repairs water wells and water well pumps.
Only certified individuals may drill, install, maintain or repair a water well or well system, and a certified master water well systems provider must be available at all times.
Water well and pump contracting firms (WWP) install the well, pump and tank, including pipe and wire, up to the connection with the home's plumbing and electrical systems.
The Board for Contractors rule does not exclude plumbing, electrical or HVAC contractors from installing pumps and tanks, though only WWP firms may build wells.
Sources: Water well systems provider covers pumps; WWP contractor specialty
Does the state require well testing?
Virginia requires a coliform test only on newly built wells. After that, testing is up to the well user.
VDH recommends testing for bacteria and nitrate every year.
VDH does not require well water testing for a home purchase, though a mortgage lender may.
Source: Only new wells must be tested
Getting your water tested in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Health does not test private wells.
The Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services accredits commercial labs under VELAP, and VDH points well owners to that list.
The new well bacteria sample must go to a private lab accredited by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services.
Virginia Cooperative Extension's Household Water Quality Program offers low cost well testing clinics around the state each year.
Sources: VDH does not test private wells; Use a state accredited lab; New well sample to accredited lab
Disinfecting a well
Private wells must be disinfected after maintenance or any work that opens the inside of the well casing.
A new private well must be disinfected before it is put into service.
One approved method keeps a 100 mg/l chlorine solution in the well for 24 hours.
Plugging an unused well
A well is abandoned when its pump is disconnected for reasons other than repair or replacement, or its use has stopped.
The owner or owner's agent must notify the local health department in advance before abandoning a well.
A well taken out of service temporarily must be sealed with a watertight cap or well head seal.
Within 30 days of building, altering, abandoning or deepening a well, a completion report must be given to the health department.
Source: What counts as abandoned
Checking a contractor's certification
VDH recommends checking DPOR's website to verify a well service provider is properly licensed.
VDH publishes a provider map but does not endorse or recommend any well service provider or laboratory.
For a stand-alone well inspection, VDH recommends a licensed water well service provider.
Before acting on test results, VDH advises consulting a licensed water well system provider.
Sources: Check the license with DPOR; Well inspections for home sales; Consult a pro before treating water
Common questions
Does Virginia require private well owners to test their water?
Only for new wells. Virginia requires a coliform test on newly built wells; after that testing is up to the owner, and VDH recommends a bacteria and nitrate test every year.