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Information on residencial water well identification, classification, usage and closure
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What is the Well Survey Program?
This program of the Water Quality Branch locates then classifies wells where public water has become available to the residence. If the premise is connected to the water supply, the existing well is inspected to determine whether it is an active well or if the well is inactive.
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If my well is inactive, what are the regulatory requirements?
Upon the extension of water service, the homeowner was required, within a year, to hook up the residence to that supply and disconnect all piping leading to the well. After connection to the public water supply, the regulations require such wells be classified as quasi-public wells. Quasi-public wells must be in an operating condition. It is the responsibility of the well owner to maintain the well in an operating condition, at all times, as they are subject to annual sampling as well as having an annual inspection done to assure that they are not a potential source of contamination for the groundwater aquifers. Another option of the well owner is to have the well properly sealed as outlined in Section 9 of the Shelby County Well Construction Code.
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Is there any fee requirements to maintain my well?
A yearly permit fee of one hundred ($100.00) dollars to operate or maintain a well classified as quasi-public must be paid to the Water Quality Branch in January of each year.
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What are my responsibilities for maintaining the well?
The well must be maintained in an operative condition at all times with a source of power in order to collect water samples for analytical purposes. Each well must be maintained in a condition where they are not a potential source of contamination to the groundwater aquifers.
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What activities will the Water Quality Branch perform?
Those wells classified as quasi-public are required to secure an annual permit to operate the well. An annual inspection will be done in order to assure that they are being maintained in an operative condition that will guard against the waste of water as well as not serving as a source of contamination for the groundwater aquifers. The Department collects samples on an annual basis, from each quasi-public well then analyze that sample to assure that the water supply does not have bacteriological or chemical.
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If the work being done is a well repair, is a permit required?
Yes, a well repair permit must be issued for the work. An application must be completely filled out then submitted with the applicable for the work. After completion of the work the well driller shall notify the Water Quality Branch that the well is ready for sampling.
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Do I need a permit for well abandonment?
Yes the well owner must submit a permit for well abandonment. All abandoned water wells must be filled with Portland cement or a high solids bentonite grout by a licensed well driller with the state of Tennessee. For more detailed information about the regulatory requirements for filling a water well refer to Section 9 of the Shelby County Well Construction Code. All applications along with any applicable fee must be submitted to the address listed below:
ATT: Greg Parker, Supervisor
Memphis and Shelby County Health Department
Water Quality Branch & Septic Tank Program
1075 Mullins Station Drive
Memphis, Tennessee 38134
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Who do I contact for an application or further information?
Applicants may contact the Water Quality Branch at (901) 379-7254 for more assistance.
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For more detailed information about water well installation please refer to (click on) the following publication:
Memphis and Shelby County Well Construction Code
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