Water Well Program

Pam Chaffee, Professional Geologist
Chief, Water Well Unit
Geology & Well Technology, 1000 SW Jackson Street, Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66612-1367
Office: (785) 296-3565
Fax: (785) 559-4258
pchaffee@kdheks.gov

General Information

The Water Well Program at KDHE is administered by the Water Well Unit within the Geology & Well Technology Section.

The purpose of the Water Well Program is to provide for the exploration and protection of groundwater through the licensing and regulation of water well contractors in Kansas and to protect the health and general welfare of the citizens of Kansas. The program oversees the proper construction, reconstruction, treatment and plugging of water wells and to provide data on potential water supplies in Kansas. This is done by requiring well logs for all water well construction, reconstruction and plugging of wells within the state.

To become a Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractor requires submitting to KDHE a completed application, successful completion of a written exam and submitting the required fees to KDHE. After becoming a Licensed Water Well Contractor, the contractor is required to renew their license annually by submitting to KDHE a renewal application on a form provided by KDHE, filing all well records (WWC-5 form) for each well constructed, reconstructed or plugged during the previous year of licensure, satisfying the continuing education requirements and submitting the required fees.

Directions to KDHE and Visitor Parking

Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractors

ACTIVE Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractors List (UPDATED 6/2016)
ACTIVE Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractors List - Sorted by City (UPDATED 6/2016)
ACTIVE Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractors & Services by County - (KGWA Web site)

How to Obtain a Kansas Water Well Contractor License (contact Pam Chaffee at 785-296-3565 or pchaffee@kdheks.gov)

Licensing Process Flow Chart (Simplified Version)

How to Obtain a Kansas Water Well Contractors License (WWP-9)

Water Well Contractor Exam Locations & Contacts (Updated 3/10/2016)

Water Well License Exam Rules (NEW) 2/11/2016

Continuing Education Units (CEU) information - (KGWA Web site)

(CEUs processed through Dale Hayse Management Services, P.O. Box 107, Mullinville, KS 67109, Phone: 620-548-2669)

Questions Regarding Kansas Water Well Contractor Licensing Renewals (contact Deb Biester at 785-296-5524 or dbiester@kdheks.gov)

WWC-5/WWC-5P Forms

* Hard copies will no longer be furnished - use one of the reporting methods listed below *

KOLAR - Kansas Online Automated Reporting System for WWC-5 Forms
Fillable WWC-5 Form (.pdf)
- WWC-5 Instructions
- WWC-5 Form
Fillable WWC-5P Form (.pdf)
- WWC-5P Instructions
- WWC-5P Form

Note: If you do not have a computer, call 785-296-5524 or 785-296-3565 and ask that a blank copy be sent to you. You may reproduce the copy for your record submittals. You will need to make copies as follows: 1st copy will be mailed to KDHE, Geology & Well Technology Section, 1000 SW Jackson St., Suite 420, Topeka, KS 66612-1367, 2nd copy needs to be sent to landowner, and a 3rd copy will be retained by you for your files.

Advisory

“Saltwater Contamination Advisory - As the result of historic oilfield brine contamination, saltwater may be encountered when constructing a water supply well into the Permian bedrock in the areas listed below and as depicted on the maps listed. Very high chloride concentrations can be present in the Permian bedrock making this water unusable and posing a significant risk to the environment if encountered. Groundwater high in chloride concentration may also be encountered in the overlying unconsolidated aquifer, limiting the use of this groundwater for most purposes.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment believes water wells should not be constructed in these areas because encountering the saltwater could result in additional adverse impacts to the environment, the water is not usable and encountering the contaminated groundwater could spread the contamination.

For additional information, persons may contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 785.296.3565 or the Kansas Corporation Commission at 620.225.8888.”