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1. What type of well construction requires an application?

Any person requesting the installation, modification, repair, or abandonment of a water well or any other type of well or soil boring within Shelby County shall submit an application to the Water Quality Branch.

2. What information must I provide to the Water Quality Branch for the installation of a well?

All applications requesting new well installations or modification of an existing well shall submit a plot plan showing the location of all underground utilities within 50 feet of the proposed well site. The plot plan must show any identifiable sources of potential contamination, such as (but not limited to) septic tanks, field lines for the septic tanks, underground seepage pits, manure piles, barns, or similar potential sources of contamination. Also, the plot plan should indicate an approximate location for the well, and it must be sited as close to the desired location as possible. A sketch of how the well is to be constructed shall be included with the application. Sections I and IX of the Well Application Form must be completed by the well owner. The well driller must complete sections IV through VIII and both the applicant as well as the driller must sign the completed application form.

3. What fees are required for a water well?

All applications requesting a permit to construct water wells requires that a non-refundable processing fee of $25 dollars must be submitted with each application. Any construction permits issued on an emergency basis require a $50 emergency fee be paid before the permit will be issued for construction of the well.

4. How will my water well application be processed?

Each application is reviewed to assure all pertinent information has been supplied before a site visit is arranged for siting the well. A site inspection must be performed for the purpose of siting a water well in order to assure that the well location will meet all applicable siting criteria. The normal time frame for issuance of a construction permit is two to three weeks from the date of receiving a complete application. A well sited on an emergency basis should be issued within three to five business days.

5. What are my responsibilities after the well construction permit has been issued and the well is placed in service?

The well owner must maintain the well in an operative condition at all times with a source of power in order to collect water samples for analytical purposes. A yearly permit fee of $100 to operate or maintain a well classified as quasi-public must be paid to the Water Quality Branch in January of each year.

6. If the work being done is a well repair, is a permit required?

Yes, a well repair permit must be issued for the work whenever the seal on the well is broken. An application must be completely filled out then submitted before conducting the work. After completion of the work, the well driller shall notify the Water Quality Branch that the well is ready for sampling.

7. Do I need a permit for well abandonment?

Yes, the well owner must submit a permit for well abandonment. The Water Quality Branch personnel must witness all well abandonment procedures. The water wells must be filled with Portland cement or a high-solids bentonite grout by a well driller licensed 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.