Do I need a permit to abandon a well in California?

Yes, California law requires a permit for well destruction (abandonment). The permit is obtained from your county environmental health department. Only licensed well drillers (C-57 contractors) can legally destroy wells. The process ensures wells are properly sealed to prevent groundwater contamination. Improperly abandoned wells can become conduits for surface contamination to reach aquifers.

How much does it cost to properly abandon a well?

Typical well destruction costs range from $1,000-3,000+ depending on well depth, diameter, accessibility, and whether the pump must first be removed. Permit fees add $200-400. Deeper or more complex wells cost more. While the cost may seem significant, improperly abandoned wells can create liability for groundwater contamination and property sale issues.

What is the well destruction process?

Proper well destruction involves: obtaining a destruction permit, removing all equipment (pump, pipe, wiring), filling the well with approved sealing materials (typically neat cement grout from bottom up), sealing the annular space around the casing, cutting the casing below grade, filling to surface, and filing a well completion report. The specific method depends on well construction and local requirements.

Why is proper well abandonment important?

Improperly abandoned wells create pathways for surface contamination to reach groundwater—affecting your neighbors' wells and the aquifer. They pose physical hazards (children, animals can fall in). They create legal liability for property owners. They can affect property sales (title searches may reveal unpermitted or improperly abandoned wells). Proper destruction protects groundwater resources and eliminates these risks.

What happens if I have an old abandoned well on my property?

If you discover an old well that wasn't properly destroyed, you should: contact your county environmental health department, have the well evaluated by a licensed contractor, and arrange for proper destruction if needed. Counties may require destruction before property sales or new construction. Some areas have programs to help fund destruction of older wells. Document everything for your records.

When a well is no longer needed, California law requires proper destruction—not just covering it up. Improperly abandoned wells become contamination pathways that can affect entire aquifers.

When to Abandon a Well

Connecting to public water and no longer need well
Well is dry or produces inadequate water
Well is contaminated and treatment isn't practical
Replacing with a new well
Property development requires removal
County requires destruction of unpermitted well

Legal Requirements

Permit required: Obtain destruction permit from county environmental health
Licensed contractor: Only C-57 licensed well drillers can legally destroy wells
State standards: Must follow California Well Standards (Bulletin 74-90)
Completion report: Driller files report with state DWR

The Destruction Process

Obtain permit: Application with well location and construction details
Remove equipment: Pull pump, pipe, wiring from well
Fill from bottom up: Pump neat cement grout from bottom, displacing water
Seal annular space: Grout between casing and surrounding soil
Cut casing: Remove casing to at least 5 feet below grade
Fill to surface: Complete filling and cap
County inspection: Verify proper destruction
File completion report: Document destruction with state

Typical Costs

Item	Cost Range
Destruction permit	$200-400
Pump removal (if needed)	$300-800
Well destruction (shallow)	$800-1,500
Well destruction (deep)	$1,500-3,000+
Total typical range	$1,000-3,500

Why Proper Abandonment Matters

Risks of Improper Abandonment

Groundwater contamination: Surface contaminants can reach aquifers
Physical hazards: Open or poorly covered wells are dangerous
Legal liability: Property owner responsible for contamination
Property sale issues: Title search may reveal problems
Neighbor impact: Your abandoned well can contaminate their water

We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to abandon a well?

Yes, California requires a destruction permit from your county. Only licensed C-57 contractors can legally destroy wells.

How much does well abandonment cost?

Typically $1,000-3,000+ depending on well depth, diameter, and complexity.

What if I have an old abandoned well?

Contact your county environmental health department. You may need to properly destroy it, especially before property sales or construction.

Need to Abandon a Well?

We handle permits and proper destruction throughout San Diego and Riverside Counties.

Call (760) 440-8520

Abandoning a Well

California has some of the most comprehensive well regulations in the country—and for good reason. Proper well construction and management protects both your water supply and the shared groundwater resources that thousands of properties depend on.

California Well Regulations Overview

Well construction, modification, and destruction in California are governed by several layers of regulation:

California Well Standards (DWR Bulletin 74-90): Sets minimum construction standards for all water wells statewide
County ordinances: San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties each have additional requirements that may be stricter than state minimums
SGMA (Sustainable Groundwater Management Act): Affects well permitting in certain basins by requiring analysis of new wells' impact on the aquifer
CEQA: Some commercial or agricultural wells may require environmental review

Permitting Requirements

In San Diego County, the Department of Environmental Health (DEH) handles well permits. You need a permit for:

Drilling a new well
Deepening an existing well
Modifying well casing or equipment
Destroying (properly abandoning) a well

Permit applications require a site plan showing the well location relative to property lines, septic systems, and other potential contamination sources.

Setback Requirements

Minimum distances between a well and potential contamination sources (San Diego County):

Septic tank: 50 feet minimum
Leach field: 100 feet minimum
Sewer line: 50 feet minimum
Property line: Varies by county (typically 5–10 feet)
Building foundation: Sufficient distance for drilling access (typically 10+ feet)

These setbacks can make well placement challenging on smaller lots. We help navigate these requirements during our site evaluation.

Contractor Licensing

California law requires a C-57 Water Well Drilling license for anyone who drills, modifies, or destroys a water well. This is a specialized classification—a general contractor's license is NOT sufficient.

Always verify your contractor's license at www.cslb.ca.gov. SCWS holds CSLB License #1086994 with active C-57 classification.

Well Owner Responsibilities

As a well owner in California, you're responsible for:

Maintaining your well in sanitary condition
Testing water quality (recommended annually for bacteria/nitrates)
Properly destroying wells that are no longer in use
Not contaminating groundwater through improper well construction or maintenance
Reporting your well's existence when selling property (disclosure requirement)

Well Destruction Requirements

Abandoned or unused wells pose a serious contamination risk to groundwater. California requires proper destruction by a licensed C-57 contractor, which includes:

Removing all pumping equipment
Filling the well with cement grout or approved materials
Filing a Well Completion Report with the Department of Water Resources

Typical cost for proper well destruction in San Diego County: $1,500–$5,000 depending on well depth and condition.

Need Professional Help?

SCWS has 30+ years of experience serving San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. Licensed C-57 contractor (CSLB #1086994).

Call (760) 440-8520

Abandoning a Well in California

When to Abandon a Well

Legal Requirements

The Destruction Process

Typical Costs