Water is an important resource, and Texans who need to drill water wells to access groundwater under their property to supply their family or business should take care to only hire drillers who are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Using an unlicensed water well driller can lead to wells that are not properly completed according to state regulations, leaving landowners to pay for expensive repairs – or sometimes even having to pay out additional money to plug an improperly drilled well.

Licensed water well drillers are required to complete four hours of continuing education every year. The continuing education topics include Texas laws and rules, well and water well pump standards, geologic characteristics of Texas, state groundwater rules and laws, as well as health and safety issues, environmental protection information and other industry-related topics.

TDLR’s water well experts have found that wells drilled by unlicensed drillers often do not have annular seals and use inferior materials such as sewer pipes instead of state-approved water well casing. The wells usually are not sealed properly, which allows pollutants to enter the groundwater. Those contaminants can make the water unsafe for you – and even your neighbors – to drink or even bathe with it.

If the driller is licensed by TDLR, the agency can require that the well be completed properly, as well as any other issues be repaired, at the well driller’s expense. If a licensed driller refuses to complete the work properly or make repairs, TDLR can levy administrative penalties or even revoke a license for noncompliance.

But if the driller is not licensed by TDLR, and the well has been drilled improperly and requires expensive fixes, TDLR is unable to require that the driller complete the well properly, or to repair any other issues with the well. The landowner then will have to pay to fix any equipment or compliance issues, instead of the unlicensed well driller.

Ask to see the water well driller’s license wallet card – licensees are required to have the card in their possession at all times – and then confirm that information on the TDLR website.

Before hiring someone to drill a water well, landowners should:

–Get bids from several water well drillers to make sure you’re getting the best deal.

–Check with your local Groundwater Conservation District to determine whether you need to get a permit or register your well: https://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/conservation_districts/

–Check TDLR website to confirm the driller is licensed: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/.

–Check TDLR website for any administrative actions that TDLR may have taken against the driller in the past two years: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/cimsfo/.

About TDLR

TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. Currently, the agency regulates 37 business and occupational licensing programs with almost 1,000,000 licensees across the state.

Visit TDLR’s website for more information and resources. You can search the TDLR licensee database, and also find past violations in which a final order was issued against companies or individuals. TDLR’s Customer Service line is available anytime between 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 1-800-803-9202. TDLR representatives are fluent in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.