New Hampshire Water Well Board – Concord, NH

Protecting New Hampshire’s Groundwater Resources

The New Hampshire Water Well Board, administratively attached to the Department of Environmental Services (NHDES), is the state regulatory body responsible for overseeing the water well industry. Located at the NHDES headquarters on Hazen Drive in Concord, the Board was established in 1984 under RSA Chapter 482-B. Its primary mission is to safeguard the public health and protect the state’s vital groundwater resources by regulating the construction of water wells and the installation of water pumps. The Board consists of seven members, including representatives from the NHDES, licensed water well contractors, pump installers, technical drillers, and a member of the public. This diverse composition ensures that regulatory decisions are balanced, practical, and technically sound. The Board plays a critical role in ensuring that the thousands of private wells relied upon by New Hampshire residents are constructed safely and function properly, minimizing the risk of contamination and aquifer depletion.

Licensing and Professional Standards

A core function of the Water Well Board is the licensing of professionals within the industry. Any individual or business engaged in water well construction or pump installation in New Hampshire must hold a valid license issued by the Board. This includes Water Well Contractors, who drill or dig wells, and Pump Installers, who install and repair water pumping systems. The Board enforces rigorous standards for licensure, including experience requirements and the passing of a written examination. To ensure ongoing professional competence, the Board also mandates continuing education for licensees, such as the required two hours annually for pump installers. Licensed vehicles are easily identifiable by a mandatory decal displayed on drilling rigs and service trucks, providing consumers with assurance that they are hiring qualified professionals.

• Contractor Licensing: Credentialing for well drillers and diggers.
• Pump Installer Licensing: Regulating those who install domestic and industrial pumps.
• Standards Enforcement: Ensuring compliance with construction and maintenance rules.
• Decal System: Visual verification of licensed equipment in the field.

Public Records and Consumer Protection

The Water Well Board maintains a comprehensive database of well completion reports, a valuable resource known as the Water Well Inventory. Since 1984, licensed contractors have been required to submit a report for every well they construct, detailing its location, depth, yield, and geological conditions. This database now contains over 135,000 records, which are accessible to the public through the NHDES OneStop online portal. These records are essential for homeowners, real estate transactions, and hydrological research. In addition to record-keeping, the Board serves a consumer protection function by investigating complaints regarding improper well construction or pump installation. The Board has the authority to hold hearings, impose administrative fines, and take disciplinary action against licensees who violate state laws or administrative rules, ensuring that consumers have a recourse when standards are not met.