SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5211

BYSenators Hansen, Barr, Bauer, Gaspard and Bailey

Changing provisions relating to water well construction, reconstruction, and abandonment.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1987; February 17, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5211 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Hansen, Chairman; Bauer, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bailey, Barr.

Senate Staff:Tom McDonald (786-7404)

                  February 17, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FEBRUARY 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Ecology administers the Water Well Construction Act and has the power to establish the rules, regulations, standards, licensing and methods of water well construction.  The Department of Ecology has reported that there continues to be substandard well construction and more stringent requirements and penalties need to be enforced.

In 1985, a Water Well Advisory Committee was formed to review the Water Well Construction Act.  The Advisory Committee submitted a report to the Senate Agriculture Committee and recommended several legislative changes in the Act.  The Advisory Committee addressed problems with the lack of training required for well drillers, the lack of accountability of well drillers under the Contractor Registration Act, which the drillers are now specifically exempt, and the difficult procedure for inspecting the drilling.

SUMMARY:

Before the commencement of work, a water well contractor is required to provide to the Department of Ecology 72-hour notice of the contractor's intent to begin construction, reconstruction and abandonment procedures.  The Department, by rule, shall also provide for prior notice by telephone for use in exceptional situations.

Water well contractors are required to be registered, obtain a bond and have public liability and property damage insurance as provided in the Contractor Registration Act.

Before obtaining a construction operator's license, the applicant is required to have at least two years of field experience with a licensed well driller or one year of field experience and the equivalent of one year of educational training that satisfies the criteria established by the Department.

The Department of Ecology may levy a civil penalty of up to $100 per day for violations of the Well Construction Act.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Water well contractors will continue to be exempt from registration requirements under the Contractors Registration Act.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Hedia Adelsman, Department of Ecology; George Krill, Department of Ecology; Al Butler, Washington State Well Drillers Association; Marvin Sample, Hansen Drilling Co.; Katherine Hansen, Washington State Well Drillers Association; Dan Oliver, Tacoma/Pierce County Health Department; Jeannie Dickman, Washington State Water Resources Association