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Division of Environmental and Community Health

Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention

A Division of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services

DHHS → MeCDC → Environmental and Community Health → Drinking Water → Professionals → Well Driller's Commission

Maine Water Well Commission

 

Page Index

News

Useful Links for Well Owners

Commission Members

Meetings & Minutes

Licensure and Exams

Complaints

Professional Listings

Applications and Forms

 

The Maine Water Well Commission was created by an act of the Legislature in 1994 to protect drinking water and groundwater quality by establishing standards for well location and construction, as well as minimum requirements for well driller and pump installer licensure. The Commission also investigates complaints regarding potential violations of the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Rules, 144 CMR 232 (PDF).

 

News

  • Online license renewal is now available.  Click here to access the online license renewal portal. Please follow the instructions noted there. You will need either your current active license certificate (full-size, not wallet) or the renewal reminder letter that was mailed to you at the beginning of November. The online renewal service is available 24-7, although technical assistance is only available from the service provider during regular business hours.
  • The new Notice of Intent to Hydrofrack is now available.  Click here to view or download (PDF).
  • Until further notice, Commission meeting will be held in Room 109 of the Harlow Building, 18 Elkins Lane, Augusta.
 

Useful Links for Well Owners

 

Maine Water Well Commission Members

Commission members are appointed by the Governor and represent licensed well drillers, geologists employed by the State, and the public.

Edward Bowie, Master Well Driller, Chairperson

Dwight Doughty, Hydrogeologist

Jessica Meeks, Maine Geological Survey (MGS), Hydrogeologist

Alex Pugh, Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP), Sr Hydrogeologist

Mike Otley, Public Member

Jesse Goodwin, Master Well Driller

Frank Hegarty, Master Well Driller

The Commission can be contacted via the Clerk: Email or phone (207) 287-5699.

 

Meetings & Minutes

The Maine Water Well Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday of every month. At the close of each meeting, the venue of the next meeting will be announced.

MWWC Monthly Meetings (In-Person and Online):


MWWC Meeting Minutes

2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
January 8, 2025 January 10, 2024
Cancelled;
January 26, 2024
(Emergency Meeting)		 January 11, 2023 January 12, 2022 January 13, 2021 January 8, 2020
February 12, 2025
Cancelled		 February 14, 2024 February 8, 2023 February 9, 2022 February 10, 2021 February 12, 2020
March 12, 2025 March 13, 2024 March 8, 2023 March 9, 2022 March 10, 2021 March 11, 2020
April 9, 2025 April 17, 2024 April 12, 2023 April 5, 2022
April 13, 2022
April 29, 2022		 April 14, 2021 April 2020
No Meeting
May 14, 2025 May 1, 2024
(Emergency Meeting);
May 8, 2024		 May 10, 2023
May 30, 2023		 May 11, 2022
May 26, 2022		 May 12, 2021 May 13, 2020
  June 12, 2024 June 14, 2023 June 8, 2022 June 9, 2021 June 10, 2020
  July 10, 2024 July 12, 2023 July 13, 2022 July 14, 2021 July 8, 2020
  August 14, 2024
August 9, 2023
August 15, 2023		 August 4, 2022
August 10, 2022		 August 11, 2021 August 12, 2020
  September 11, 2024
September 2023
No Meeting		 September 14, 2022
September 27, 2022		 September 15, 2021 September 2020
No Meeting
  October 9, 2024 October 11, 2023 October 12, 2022
October 20, 2022		 October 13, 2021 October 14, 2020
  November 13, 2024 November 8, 2023 November 9, 2022 November 10, 2021 November 10, 2020
  December 11, 2024 December 13, 2023 December 14, 2022 December 8, 2021 December 9, 2020

For copies of older minutes contact the Drinking Water Program at (207) 287-2070.

 

Licensure and Exams

The Commission has the authority to license well drillers, geothermal heat exchange well drillers, well drilling companies, geothermal heat exchange well pump installers, pump installers, and pump installation companies. The Commission is further authorized to initiate action for the revocation or suspension of such licenses.

“Effective January 1, 1994, a person may not engage in the business of constructing water wells within the State or engage in the installation, replacement or repair of a pump in a water well unless licensed with the commission. An applicant for licensure must complete an application form supplied by the commission, successfully complete any examination required by this chapter and pay an annual license fee established by the commission.” [MRS Title 32, Chapter 69-C §4700-H, 2; §4700-J]

Well Driller and Pump Installer Exams are offered at the Drinking Water Program's office at 286 Water Street in Augusta, ME.

Please contact the Commission Clerk for further information about licensing and exams: email or phone (207) 287-2070.

 

Complaints

The Water Well Commission will address complaints regarding the work of a licensed well driller or pump installer.

Complaints must be received by the Commission within 2 years of the date the work in question was performed. Complaints must be in writing (although they can be anonymous) and should include as much information as possible.

Complaint materials should include:

  • Relevant pictures,
  • Water quality test results,
  • The location of the well,
  • The name(s) of the individuals and companies that performed the work,
  • The date the work was performed, and
  • A written description of the problem and issues that initiated the complaint.

Submit all of the above information to the Commission's clerk. The Commission will review the complaint at its next regular meeting. Complaints determined to have the potential for a violation of the rules will be investigated by the Commission's independent inspector. Complaints on issues that do not constitute a violation of the rules will not be accepted for investigation. (An example of such a complaint might be water with high amounts of iron. Drillers are not typically responsible for the levels of naturally occurring contaminants.)

Well Driller Complaint Form (PDF)

 

Professional Listings

Licensed in Maine only.

 

Applications and Forms

Well Drillers

Pump Installers

Companies

Specialty Wells

References

Updated 4/18/2025