Regulations, Permits, and Reporting
Regulations, Permits, and Reporting
This domain tests the administrative side: who may drill, what approvals are needed, and what must be reported. New York licenses water well drillers through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); well construction standards are in the Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR Appendix 5-B), and public water systems are regulated by the Department of Health. Local health departments may add requirements. Water withdrawals at or above 100,000 gallons per day generally require a DEC water withdrawal permit. Discharges to surface water may require SPDES coverage.
Core rules
- License: drilling is a licensed activity; carry the license and follow its conditions.
- Permits: check DEC, DOH, and local requirements before drilling; public systems need additional review.
- Completion reports: file the required well completion report with the state, and provide copies to the owner as required.
- Water withdrawal: estimate daily withdrawal; 150 gpm × 1,440 min/day = 216,000 gpd, above the 100,000 gpd threshold.
Worked example
An irrigation well is designed to pump 150 gpm for 8 hours per day. Daily volume = 150 × 60 × 8 = 72,000 gal, below 100,000 gpd. If it runs 16 hours, volume = 144,000 gal, above the threshold, so a DEC water withdrawal permit may be required. The reasoning is to use actual planned operating hours, not just pump capacity, and to confirm the current threshold and exemptions.
Traps
- Reporting pump capacity rather than actual planned daily withdrawal.
- Assuming a local permit covers state requirements.
- Missing the completion report deadline or failing to give the owner required records.
- Drilling before confirming public water system or water withdrawal approvals.