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Water Well Program
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.
Licensing
To become a Kansas Licensed Water Well Contractor requires submitting to us a completed application, successful completion of a written exam and submitting the required fees to us. After becoming a Licensed Water Well Contractor, the contractor is required to renew their license annually by submitting to us a renewal application on a form provided by us, 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.
How to Obtain a Kansas Water Well Contractor License
Click through each tab to learn more about the licensing process.
2023 Water Well Contractor License Exam Schedule
| Date | Location | Hosted by |
|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2023 | Colwich, KS | KGWA Spring Seminar |
| June 2023 | Curtis Office Building, Topeka, KS | KDHE-BOW-GTWU |
| September 28, 2023 | TBD | KGWA Fall Seminar |
- Review the Kansas Water Well Contractor Licensure Examination Study Guide (PDF). Exams are offered according the schedule above. Contact Pam Chaffee to register for an exam at least 30 days prior to the exam date.
- Upon successful completion of the exam, you will be contacted by KDHE and asked to register in the Kansas Online Automated Reporting System (KOLAR). Instructions will be provided by KDHE, you will have 90 days to complete the application process.
- Once registered, KDHE will enter you into a group in KOLAR and you will be notified when you can complete the application.
- Upon notification, sign into KOLAR, click on the help tab and select the WWC-1 PRIMER. Follow the instructions to complete the application process.
- Upon submittal, you will receive notification from KOLAR that your application has either been approved or returned.
- Sign into KOLAR and, if approved - print your license(s) by clicking on the License tab and selecting Certificate of License, or if returned, amend your application and resubmit.
- After your license has been approved, you will be able to electronically complete and submit water well records (Form WWC-5/WWC-5P) and renew your contractor license during each renewal period.
Questions?
If you have questions or need assistance, email Pam Chaffee or call
785-296-3565 (office) or 785-224-5259 (cell).
How to Renew a Kansas Water Well Contractor License
- Water well contractors licensed in Kansas will receive each May an email reminder from KOLAR to renew their license between June 1 and July 1.
- Sign into KOLAR.
- Complete the license renewal application (WWC1R) and submit.
- After submitting, you must certify the information entered and pay the appropriate fees. For assistance, click on the Help tab, and select WWC-1R Primer.
- You will receive notification from KOLAR that your license renewal application has either been approved or returned.
- Sign into KOLAR and, if approved - print your license(s) by clicking on the License tab and selecting Certificate of License, or if returned, amend your renewal application and resubmit.
If you have questions or need help, please email us or call 785-296-5524.
WWC-5/WWC-5P Forms
- KOLAR - Kansas Online Automated Reporting System for WWC-5 Forms
- Fillable WWC-5 Form
- Fillable 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 and Well Technology Section
1000 SW Jackson Street
Suite 420
Topeka, KS 66612 - 2nd copy needs to be sent to landowner
- 3rd copy will be retained by you for your files
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.
We believe 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. Counties that contain contaminated sites include Barber, Decatur, Ellis, Graham, Harvey, Harvey/Reno, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kingman, Linn, McPherson, Montgomery, Morton, Neosho, Pawnee, Reno, Rice, Rooks, Russel, Sedgwick, Stafford,and Wilson.
Questions?
For additional information, call us at 785-296-3565 or contact the Kansas Corporation Commission at 620-225-8888.