Indiana Well Drilling Regulations — IC 25-39-3 and DNR Rules
March 2, 2026
Indiana’s water well construction is regulated primarily by the Indiana DNR Division of Water under Indiana Code 25-39-3. Here’s what homeowners and property owners need to understand.
The Licensing Law: IC 25-39-3
Indiana Code 25-39-3 established the Water Well Driller and Pump Installer Licensing Program. Key provisions:
- Who must be licensed: Any individual who drills, deepens, or abandons a water well, or installs or services a water well pump system
- Who issues licenses: Indiana DNR Division of Water
- License types: Well driller, pump installer, or both (combined license)
- License term: Calendar year — licenses expire December 31st of the year issued
- Renewal: Annual renewal required
The law licenses individuals, not companies. A company may employ multiple licensed drillers, but each person performing the work must hold their own license.
Construction Standards: 312 IAC 13
Indiana Administrative Code 312 IAC 13 (Water Well Drilling and Pump Installation) establishes construction standards for:
- Well casing materials, depths, and grouting requirements
- Minimum setback distances from septic systems, fuel tanks, roads, and property lines
- Well development and disinfection procedures
- Pump installation specifications
- Abandoned well plugging requirements
Key setback rules (minimum distances):
| Source | Minimum Distance |
|---|---|
| Septic system drain field | 50 feet |
| Septic tank | 50 feet |
| Underground fuel tank | 100 feet |
| Road right-of-way | 10 feet |
Your licensed driller is responsible for knowing and following these rules.
Well Completion Reports
Indiana law requires the licensed driller to file a well completion report with the DNR Division of Water within 60 days of:
- Completing a new well
- Deepening an existing well
- Abandoning (plugging) a well
- Making significant modifications
The report documents location, construction details, geological formations encountered, casing depth, and static water level. These records are public and searchable through the Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS) well record database.
Request a copy for your records — it’s valuable documentation if you sell the property or need future repair work.
Permits and Local Requirements
Indiana does not require a statewide construction permit to drill a private water well. However:
- Local ordinances — Some counties or municipalities have additional requirements
- Floodplain considerations — Wells in FEMA-designated floodplains may need a floodplain development permit
- Well construction permits — A few Indiana counties require permits through the county health department
- Septic/well setbacks — Your county health department enforces setback rules from septic systems
Always check with your county health department before drilling.
Abandoned Well Plugging
If you have an old, unused well on your property, Indiana law may require it to be properly plugged to prevent contamination of the aquifer. Contact the DNR Division of Water or a licensed well driller to discuss proper abandonment procedures. Improperly abandoned wells are a groundwater contamination risk.
Contacting the Indiana DNR Division of Water
- Division Phone: (877) 928-3755, Option 4
- Water Rights and Use Section: (317) 234-1087
- Email: water_inquiry@dnr.in.gov or DOWWRU@dnr.in.gov
- Well record database: Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS)
The DNR Division of Water is the primary resource for verifying individual driller licenses, checking well completion records, and understanding local geological conditions.