Individual Water Supplies

Drinking Water Wells

Residents of West Virginia who want to have a well drilled, or who wish to modify or abandon an existing well, must apply and obtain a permit from their Local Health Department prior to drilling, modifying, or abandoning the well. The application for permit is available below.

Individual water well must be drilled by licensed well driller.

Search for an Approved Water Well Driller or Pump Install: List of Approved Well Drillers and Pump Installers

Water Well Driller Certification

Persons wishing to drill wells in West Virginia should view the Environmental Engineering Division's Training & Certification site for information on the requirements for certification as well as training dates and locations.

Cisterns, and Springs

Other sources of potable water supplies include cisterns and springs, however these are not Department approved without the use of a chlorinator or ultraviolet light. Chlorination systems must be constructed in accordance with Environmental Health Procedure Memorandum DW-38. Ultraviolet light systems must be constructed in accordance with Environmental Health Procedure Memorandum DW-1. For more information regarding approved construction guidelines, contact your Local Health Department.

Request for Potable Water Testing

Residents wanting to have their potable water supply tested for bacteriological safety may complete the SW-253, Request for Water Analysis form below, and submit it to their Local Health Department. There will be a fee for the sample. Contact your Local Health Department for information about that fee.

Signs you should test your well

family members with persistent gastro-intestinal distress (stomach pain, diarrhea)
water has an undesirable taste or smell
water leaves a residue or stains plumbing fixtures or laundry
water is cloudy or colored
corroded pipes or equipment that wears out fast
Contact your Local Health Department to have your well water tested.

WV Office of Laboratory Services

Listing of West Virginia Certified Drinking Water Laboratories

Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention

Structures served by a Public Water System that also maintain an individual water well must meet additional requirements. These requirements can be found in the West Virginia Legislative Rule 64 CSR 15, Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Prevention.

An additional concern to the internal plumbing of such structures is an increase in thermal expansion, see the following articles for more information.

Individual Water Well Rules

Individual Water Well Forms

This page contains links to external agencies. The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Public Health Sanitation Division is not responsible for the content of the these sites.

Well and Potable (Safe Drinking) Water Information

WV Office Of Laboratory Services

Information on Financial Assistance for Well Construction and Repair

USDA WV Rural Development