Private Water Wells: Residential & Ag

Private Water Wells - Residential and Agricultural

A modern water well is an engineered and constructed method of delivering groundwater for drinking, irrigation, and other purposes. In California, permitting authority over well drilling activities rests with the local well-permitting agency. In Butte County, the permitting agency is Environmental Health, and all wells must be drilled and constructed under a permit. Environmental Health permits both domestic and agricultural wells. California Water Code requires that any construction, alteration or destruction work done on a well shall be performed by a licensed C-57 Water Well Contractor.

View the Water Well Ordinance (PDF).

View the Water Well Manual (PDF).

Applications may be submitted by emailing the Environmental Health Division.

Applications & Supporting Documents

  1. Agent Authorization Form (PDF)
  2. Disinfection Statement (PDF)
  3. Permit Process Overview (During N-7-22) (PDF)
  4. Well Application Packet (PDF)

Exploratory Hole or Boring

  1. Application (PDF)
  2. Fee Schedule and Requirements (PDF)

Additional Documents for Agricultural Wells

  1. Adjacent Property Owner Notification Form (PDF)
  2. Ag Well Permit Acknowledgement Form (PDF)

Well Permits in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concern Areas

  1. VOC Fact Sheet (PDF)
  2. VOC Area Map (PDF)
  3. VOC Area Well Permit Disclosure Form (PDF)