W. Va. Code R. § 64-19-6

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 36, September 6, 2024

Section 64-19-6 - General Provisions for well driller certifications of the proper class and pump installer certifications

6.1. No person shall drill, construct, alter or abandon any water well without possessing a valid West Virginia certification of the proper class issued by the Commissioner and complying with the applicable sections of this rule.

6.2. No person shall install, repair or replace a well pump or well pumping equipment or engage in that business without possessing a valid West Virginia certification of the proper class issued by the Commissioner and complying with applicable sections of this rule. A property owner may be allowed to install the pump system and sign the completion record if, prior to the installation the property owner passes an examination administered by the Commissioner with a minimum score of seventy percent. This examination shall demonstrate the individual's knowledge of the applicable rules.

6.3. Well drillers shall be classified into one of three classes: master well driller; journeyman well driller; or an apprentice well driller.

6.3.a. A certified master well driller, after meeting the requirements of subsection 9.2 of this rule may:

6.3.a.1. Drill, construct, install, repair, replace, alter or abandon water wells, including public water supply wells;

6.3.a.2. Install or replace well pumping equipment and appurtenances, storage tanks and connecting lines between a well and storage tank;

6.3.a.3. Perform yield and drawdown testing of wells; and supervise journeymen well drillers and apprentices;

6.3.a.4. Sign permit applications and certify that a well has been drilled, constructed, installed, repaired, modified, altered, or abandoned in conformance with all applicable state and well drill and pump installation standards;

6.3.a.5. Qualify as a candidate to be appointed to the Advisory Board;

6.3.a.6. Supervise journeymen and apprentices; and

6.3.a.7. Perform field observations to verify qualifications of applicants for all certifications covered by this rule.

6.3.b. A certified journeymen well driller, after meeting all of the requirements of subsection 9.2 of this rule, may:

6.3.b.1. Drill, construct, install, repair, replace, alter or abandon a well, except a public water system's supply wells;

6.3.b.2. Install or replace well pumping equipment and appurtenances, storage tanks, and connecting lines between a well and storage tank;

6.3.b.3. Perform yield and drawdown testing of wells; and

6.3.b.4. Supervise apprentices.

6.3.c. An apprentice may perform well drilling as a well driller only under the immediate on-site supervision of a master or journeyman well driller.

6.3.d. A journeyman or master well driller shall be on-site in direct charge of drilling, constructing, altering or abandoning a water well.

6.4. Pump installers shall be classified into two classes, as a certified pump installer or an apprentice.

6.4.a. A certified pump installer, after meeting the requirements of subsection 9.2 of this rule, may:

6.4.a.1. Install or replace well pumping equipment and appurtenances, pressure tanks and connecting lines between a well and storage tank;

6.4.a.2. Qualify as a candidate for appointment to the Advisory Board; and

6.4.a.3. Perform yield and drawdown testing of wells.

6.4.b. An apprentice may perform pump installations, and replace appurtenances, pressure tanks and connecting lines while under the immediate on-site supervision of a master or journeyman well driller, or pump installer.

6.5. A certified person shall have in her or his possession a valid certification for the proper class at all times during any operations.

6.6. A certified pump installer or water well driller may run power and control wiring from the disconnect box and breaker panel to water well equipment without obtaining an electrician's license. A certification issued pursuant to this rule does not authorize the certificate holder to alter the existing electrical service to any building or structure or perform any other electrical work covered by any national, state, or local codes and ordinances, if the latter are more restrictive.

6.7. A certified or licensed plumber may provide plumbing services as a plumbing contractor to install pressure switches, pressure tanks, valves and pipes without holding certifications from the Commissioner. The certified or licensed plumber shall not break the well seal or alter, cut or drill into the casing, unless he or she is certified as a pump installer.

6.8. A certified or licensed electrician may do electrical contracting, repair or install pressure switches, control boxes and other electrical components of the pumping equipment without holding certifications issued by the Commissioner. The electrician shall adhere to these rules for the installation and may not break the well seal or alter, cut or drill into the casing, unless the certified or licensed electrician is certified as a pump installer.

W. Va. Code R. § 64-19-6