Residential Wells

The domestic water well program of Placer County is involved with the application and installation of all private and public water wells in the County.  This program derives its regulatory authority from the Placer County Water Well Construction Ordinance.  

Hand Dug Water Well Policy - Historically, many properties in Placer County utilized hand dug wells. A hand dug well is not considered a source for potable water supply and can be a threat to safe drinking ground water.

This program covers all the wells that are drilled in Placer Countyand also wells that are drilled in the Town of Loomis and City of Rocklin.  Wells that are drilled in the cities of Roseville and Lincoln are under the permitting requirements of those individual cities.

In order to drill a well in Placer County, it must be applied for by a licensed Well Driller.

Upon applying to Placer County Environmental Health for a well permit, the Driller shall provide:

A vicinity map and clear directions to the property and well site

• Plans and specifications for the proposed work, including method of sealing the annular space
• (2) copies of an accurate site plan, drawn to scale.  Show the proposed well location and all features of potential contamination such as septic system, sewer line, animal feed lots or pasture, and property lines within 150 feet of proposed well site.  Wells are required to be in compliance with set-backs, from potiential ground water hazards, and must also be shown on the site plan.  

Well Set-Backs (distances that are required between your well and septic areas):

•  Public Well to Septic Field = 150 ft

• Public Well to Septic Tank or Sand Filter = 50 ft

• Public We ll to Seepage Pits = 150 ft

• Private Water Well (Residential) to Septic Field = 100 ft

• Private Water Well (Residential) to Septic Tank or Sand Filter = 50 ft

•  Private Water Well (Residential) to Seepage Pit = 150 ft

•  A copy of the Assessor's plot map/parcel map
•  Location of any restrictions such as easements on the property
•  Any other information that enforcement agency finds necessary to complete the permit application
•  Submission of the appropriate permit filing fee. 

Related Links

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US E.P.A), also has some good information.
 

California Department of Water Resources (DWR) - Well Completion Reports; If you are the owner of a private water well you may request a copy of the well completion report, that was filed with DWR by the well driller.  The California Water Code, Section 13752 prohibits distributing well completion reports to anyone but the current land owner, his/her legal designee, or a government agency, without the owner's permission.

DWR Groundwater Publications ; Information on well standards, regional issues, waterfact sheets, and legislative reports.