AZ Well Driller key terms

A written application filed with the state before starting a new well, giving the proposed location, depth, use, and owner so the well can be reviewed and permitted.

The approval issued after a notice of intention is reviewed, authorizing a driller to construct a well under stated conditions and within a set time period.

A credential issued by the state that allows a person to construct, repair, or abandon wells, usually requiring examination, experience, and continuing education.

A business entity that contracts with landowners to drill or service wells and must hold the required license or employ a licensed driller of record.

A record kept during drilling that describes each formation penetrated, the depth of changes, water zones encountered, and the materials installed in the borehole.

The completed filing submitted to the regulatory agency after construction, summarizing the well's location, depth, construction details, water level, and yield.

A description of the rock and sediment types drilled through, recorded by depth interval, used to interpret aquifer conditions and compare nearby wells.

The technical rules governing casing, grouting, sealing, screening, and completion so that a well is safe, sanitary, and protective of groundwater.

Pipe installed in a borehole to hold the walls open, protect the pump, and prevent unwanted material or surface water from entering the well.

The gap between the borehole wall and the outside of the casing, which must be filled with grout or other approved material to seal the well.

A cement-based or bentonite mixture placed in the annular space to block vertical movement of water and contaminants along the outside of the casing.

A watertight connection or cover at the top of the well that keeps surface water, insects, and debris from entering the casing or annulus.

A secure cover fitted over the top of the casing, often vented and vermin-proof, that protects the well opening while allowing pressure equalization.

A slotted or perforated section installed at the producing zone that holds back sand and gravel while allowing water to flow into the well.

Sorted gravel placed around a well screen to filter fine sediment from entering the well and to improve flow from unconsolidated formations.

The permanent closure of a well no longer in use, accomplished by filling and sealing the borehole so it cannot transmit water or contaminants between aquifers.

Temporarily closing an inactive well with a secure, watertight cover so it remains accessible for future use while preventing entry and contamination.

Documentation filed after a well is permanently closed, describing the sealing method, materials used, depths, and the date the work was completed.

The depth to the water surface in a well when the pump has been off long enough for the level to stabilize and reflect surrounding conditions.

The depth to water measured while a well is being pumped, reflecting drawdown in the well and nearby formation during active withdrawal.

The drop in water level in a well or aquifer caused by pumping, measured as the difference between static and pumping water levels.

A saturated geologic formation that can store and transmit enough water to supply wells in usable quantities.

A low-permeability bed of clay or rock that restricts water movement and can separate an aquifer from overlying or underlying water.

Water held in the pores and fractures of rock and sediment below the land surface, supplying wells and supporting springs and stream flow.

The upper surface of the saturated zone in an unconfined aquifer, which rises and falls with recharge and pumping.

A designated geographic region where groundwater use is regulated more strictly because of heavy reliance, overdraft, or statutory criteria being met.

A regulatory finding that sufficient water of adequate quality is physically, legally, and continuously available for a proposed subdivision over a set planning horizon.

The legal entitlements that allow a user to withdraw groundwater, which may be based on permits, grandfathered use, or irrigation status depending on the area.

A set of planning and regulatory measures that track water demand, identify sources, and require demonstration of long-term supply before development approval.

The minimum required separation between a well and contamination sources such as septic systems, livestock pens, or property lines.

A well that penetrates a confined aquifer under pressure, allowing water to rise above the aquifer top and sometimes flow at the surface.

The rate at which a well can produce water, usually expressed in gallons per minute and determined by a pump or bailer test.

A field measurement of how quickly water moves through soil, used to size septic systems and to judge whether a site suits a well.

A fluid circulated during rotary drilling to cool the bit, carry cuttings to the surface, and stabilize the borehole walls.

A mandated number of training hours that a licensed driller must complete each renewal period to keep the license active.

Permission obtained from a landowner or tenant to enter property for the purpose of drilling, inspecting, or abandoning a well.