Well Construction Permits

A Well Construction Permit is required prior to installation of a water well within the District. The permits ensure that wells are constructed by qualified contractors and meet rigid safety and durability standards.

The rules in Chapter 40D-3, F.A.C. govern the construction of water wells and water well contractor licensing, and implement the provisions of Part III of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes. These rules are adopted to ensure that all water wells within the District are located, constructed, maintained, used, and abandoned in a manner that protects the water resources.

Local agencies in Manatee, Sarasota, and Marion counties issue well construction permits within their respective county boundaries. If required, a Water Use Permit must first be obtained from the District before these agencies can issue a Well Construction Permit. Contact the Manatee Environmental Management Department, Sarasota County Health Department, or Marion County Health Department for more information.

Publications Incorporated by Reference 

• Water Well Construction Disciplinary Guidelines & Citation Dictionary (06/2014)
   (Inc. by reference in 40D-3.037(2) eff. 07/12/2015)
• Memorandum of Agreement Between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4, Superfund Division and the Southwest Florida Water Management District eff. 9-11-08
   (Inc. by reference in 40D-3.037(4), eff. 6-7-10)
• Well Construction Delegation Agreement-Marion County Health Dept. eff. 6-1-16 to 5-31-21
  (Inc. by reference in 40D-1.002(3)(c) eff. 6-1-16)
• Well Construction Delegation Agreement-Manatee County eff. 6-1-16 to 5-31-21
   (Inc. by reference in 40D-1.002(3)(a) eff. 6-1-16)
• Well Construction Delegation Agreement-Sarasota County eff. 6-1-16 to 5-31-21
   (Inc. by reference in 40D-1.002(3)(b) eff. 6-1-16)

Supplemental Information 

• Potential for Water-Quality Degradation of Interconnected Aquifers in West-Central Florida, USGS, 1996
   (February 2015)
• National Groundwater Association (NGWA) Resource List
• Aquifer Characteristics Within the District
   (February 2006)
• Well Permitting in Delineated Areas of Known Contamination
   (September 2007)
• Consumer Guide for Well Construction
   (February 2008)
• Well Contractor Training Manual
   (March 2008)

• Water Well Contractors in the District (Renewed License 2017-2019)
• FDEP Water Well Contractor’s Clearinghouse
• Florida Water Well Contractors Continuing Education Program (12 CEUs are required for licensing)
• Hydrologic Framework of the SWFWMD (Bulletin 68, Florida Geological Survey)
• Regional Evaluation of the Hydrogeologic Framework, Hydraulic Properties, and Chemical Characteristics of the Intermediate Aquifer System Underlying Southern West-Central Florida, USGS, 2006
• NGWA Well Owner Website

Supplemental GIS Viewers

• GIS VIEWER: Access Map Gallery
• GIS VIEWER: Geohydrologic Data Monitor-Well Sites Viewer
• GIS VIEWER: Depth Below Land Surface to Contact Between Permeable Portion of Intermediate Aquifer System and Upper Floridian Aquifer
• GIS VIEWER: Sarasota County Utilities
• GIS VIEWER: City of Venice Utilities
• GIS VIEWER: District Reclaimed Water Map 

Forms 

• Application for a Water Well Contractor’s License
   (LEG-R.003.01 (September 2014) 40D-3.037(5))
• Application for Renewal of Water Well Contractor’s License
   (LEG-R.004.02 (April 2009) 40D-3.037(5))

• Public Supply Well Information and Classification Form
   (LEG-R.015.02 (August 2011))
• Public Supply Well Site Inspection Form
   (42.10-002 (September 1999))
• Proposed Well Construction Location and Design Form
   (LEG-R.006.01(April 2009) 40D-2.101(5)(a))
• State of Florida Permit Application to Construct, Repair, Modify, or Abandon a Well
   (LEG-R.040.01 (June 2010) 40D-3.101(1), F.A.C.)
• Well Completion Report
   (LEG-R.005.02 (June 2010) 40D-3.411(1)(a), F.A.C.)
• Well Grouting and Abandonment Form
   (LEG-R.041.00 (April 2009) Rule 40D-3.531(5), F.A.C.)
• Well Verification for All Non-Domestic Wells Located in the Most Impacted Area of the Southern Water Use Caution Area
   (LEG-R.016.01 (April 2009) 40D-3.101(1))