Tuesday, June 24, 2025

The Driller's Digest — Volume 21, Spring/Summer

NC Well Contractors Certification Commission
Jun 24, 2025

In This Issue

Message from the Chairman

Hello! I’m delighted to announce the return of the Drillers Digest — our on-going newsletter designed to keep every certified well driller and pump installer in North Carolina connected and informed.

Please join me in welcoming our newest Commission staff:

  • Casey Champion
  • Bryan Colvard

We’re also seeing real progress on the education front: our prep course has significantly boosted exam performance this year. As of April 2025, we’re averaging an 72% pass rate across all levels — credit to both our instructors and your hard work!

Looking ahead to our May meeting, I’ll share details on a special drawing: one lucky registrant at 2025 Jubilee will receive a free license renewal for next year. Stay tuned for that announcement.

I’m proud to tell you that the Commission and the North Carolina Ground Water Association (NCGWA) will be linking forces to strengthen our industry’s voice. Together, we’ll collaborate with legislators to advocate for policies that benefit every driller and pump installer in our state.

Membership continues to climb — thank you for your engagement! As of today, we have 1,204 active members, a record high. We remain committed to supporting you, while ensuring fair, consistent standards for all licensed professionals.

Your ideas make us stronger. Please share your suggestions and feedback so we can address your needs and build the best possible Commission services.

Thank you for being part of our NC family. I look forward to working with you as we forge an even stronger team!

Warm regards,
Chris Deal 
Chairman, NC Well Contractors 

Certification Renewal Season is Here — Are You Ready?

It’s that time of year again — certification renewal season for North Carolina well contractors. This year, we’re making the process easier and more efficient by emailing renewal notices whenever possible. If we have a valid email address on file for you, your letter may already be in your inbox.

Not a fan of email or not sure how to navigate online forms? No problem. If we don’t have your email on file, your renewal letter will still be mailed the old-fashioned way.

What You Need to Know:

Certification Expiration: All certifications expire on June 30 of each year.

Timely Submission Matters: We must receive your completed renewal and payment before July 1 to avoid a lapse. A lapse could mean going through the process from scratch – not a fun way to spend the summer!

Email Updates: If your email has changed, or if you haven’t provided one before, please contact staff as soon as possible so we can update your file. 

Pro Tip: Employees may desire changing their email address to a company address, to avoid mishaps (do your employees actually check their email regularly?) Employees can change their address online.

Didn’t Receive Your Letter? First, check your Spam or Junk folder — occasionally correspondence ends up there. Still nothing? Reach out to staff and we’ll ensure you get what you need.

Continuing Education Reminder

Continuing Education (CE) is part of annual renewal for the recently certified. 

The current requirement is:

  • 2 Hours of CE per year during the first three years of certification
    Applies to all certification levels (A, B, C, and D)

If you haven’t submitted your CE hours yet, do so as soon as possible. Submitting your CE late could delay your renewal — and that could mean a disruption to your work.

A Quick Tip: Renewal letters also include the opportunity to update your contact info, service offerings, and more. Take advantage of this chance to keep your records current—it saves time later.

A word on electronic payment: We hoped online payment would be part of the equation this renewal, as a convenience for both contractors and staff. Unfortunately it is currently delayed but remains part of the long-term plan. Stay tuned, electronic payment may be available in the not-too-distant future!

Questions? Don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you're missing a letter, unsure of your CE status, or need to update your information, we’re here to help.
 

2025 Jubilee

For 2025, the South Atlantic Jubilee will take place July 23-July 27, 2025.

 

Modern Well Drilling Industry Adapts to Today’s Environmental and Technological Standards

By Casey Champion, Staff

The well drilling industry, once rooted in rudimentary techniques and diesel-driven rigs, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Driven by evolving environmental regulations, the demand for sustainable water solutions and breakthroughs in drilling technology, today’s well drilling sector is more efficient, precise and eco-conscious than ever before.

Modern well drilling operations now leverage digital tools, automation and real-time data analytics to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. GPS-guided drilling systems and hydraulic rigs allow contractors to drill with higher accuracy and lower environmental disruption. "Twenty years ago, we were flying blind half the time," said Thomas Ammons, a veteran driller based in North Carolina. "Now, we’ve got data at our fingertips. It’s a whole different ball game."

In response to climate change and increased scrutiny over groundwater usage, well drilling operations are under tighter environmental regulations than ever before. Drillers must now comply with strict guidelines related to water table protection, chemical usage and land restoration. Permitting processes are more rigorous, requiring detailed environmental impact assessments and long-term water use plans.

Many companies have adopted more sustainable practices, including closed-loop mud systems that recycle drilling fluids, solar-powered pump systems and eco-friendly casing materials.

With populations growing and water scarcity becoming a more pressing issue in various regions, the demand for residential, agricultural and industrial wells continues to rise. However, clients today expect more than just a hole in the ground — they demand transparency, sustainability and long-term performance guarantees.

While technology has eased many aspects of the job, the well-drilling industry faces a labor challenge: a shortage of skilled workers. As older professionals retire, younger workers must be trained not only in traditional drilling methods but also in digital tools, compliance regulations and sustainable practices. Industry associations have stepped up to modernize training, often offering certifications in eco-drilling and water resource management.

With global attention on water security, energy innovation, and climate resilience, the well drilling industry is poised for continued evolution. Those who adapt to modern standards — both in technology and environmental stewardship — will be the ones who lead the way. "The well drilling business is no longer just about hitting water," said Ammons. "It’s about getting it done smarter, cleaner and more responsibly, and that’s a good thing for all of us with anything we do."
 

Online GW-1 Submittals

By Wilson Mize

The NCDEQ Division of Water Resources has developed an online GW-1/GW-30 well construction form to streamline submission, improve accuracy and enhance data accessibility for local governments and resource managers. This system provides an efficient way for well contractors to submit required information and retain a clear, digital record.

The online form is optional; well drillers may continue using the paper GW-1 Paper Form. If submitted online, a paper copy is not required.

Local county environmental health staff can use Laserfiche to search and access online submissions (for wells installed since 2021). This eliminates the need for contractors to send paper copies to counties or for counties to forward forms to DWR. Please make sure that cookies are enabled in your browser for https://edocs.deq.nc.gov/.

Both online and paper submissions currently meet the requirements of 15A NCAC 02C .0114. However, online submission offers immediate availability via the Laserfiche system and reduces administrative burden across agencies. If using the paper form, contractors must still submit a copy to the local county environmental health department, as well as to the addresses listed on the form.

NCDEQ Forms, Permit and Application Tracking

 

Introducing the SWIFT Team: Specialty Wastewater Improvement & Field Training

We're pleased to announce the formation of the Specialty Wastewater Improvement & Field Training (SWIFT) Team, which has replaced Wilson Mize and John Brooks as the primary regional contacts for well water issues across the state. This team will now lead efforts related to:

  • Well water complaints and concerns
  • Private well authorizations at local health departments
  • Quality assurance and implementation statewide
  • Issuance of water supply well variances

We know have five of the six SWIFT team members in place. The current team includes:
Andy Blethen (Team Leader) – 919-930-4233 / andrew.blethen@dhhs.nc.gov 
Karen Wallace – 704-930-4889 / karen.d.wallace@dhhs.nc.gov 
Tre Breedlove – 252-604-0265 / tre.breedlove@dhhs.nc.gov 
Chris Hedrick – 919-665-3821 / chris.hedrick@dhhs.nc.gov 
Chad Rakes – 336-430-2323 / chad.rakes@dhhs.nc.gov

We expect to hire the sixth and final member in the coming weeks and will share an updated territory map to help identify your county’s point of contact. In the meantime, for urgent matters such as well variances or authorizations, please contact Andy Blethen or Wilson Mize. Please also join me in welcoming Andy, Chad, Chris, Karen and Tre to the SWIFT team!
 

No More Printing and Scanning: Most WCC Forms Are Now Online

There’s a welcome change coming to the way certified well contractors and applicants interact with the Commission: many of our most-used forms have been replaced with online, fillable web forms — and some are live now.

This shift is part of an ongoing effort to make interacting with the Well Contractors Certification Commission more efficient, user-friendly and responsive to modern needs.

Why the Change? 

Anyone who’s had to print a PDF, fill it out by hand, scan it and email it — or worse, mail it — knows the process can be time-consuming and error-prone. Web forms eliminate that.

Now, instead of downloading and managing static PDF documents, users can simply complete their forms directly on the website. Submissions are transmitted instantly to staff, and there’s less chance of missing information. Required fields must be filled before submission, helping ensure that forms are complete and ready for processing the first time around.

Fewer delays. Fewer errors. Fewer headaches.

What's Available?

Most of the forms previously offered as PDFs have been converted, including common updates such as:

These are but a few examples. For more, visit Well Contractor Forms.

What's Not Changing?

Some forms still require notarization, and, for legal and regulatory reasons, those must remain as downloadable PDFs — for now. These include:

  • Letters of Reference
  • Applications for certification

Per Chapter 27 of the Well Contractor Certification Rules, notarization ensures authenticity and remains a critical step in the process for those specific documents.

Looking Ahead

Our long-term goal is to convert all possible forms to the web-based format, providing a one-stop, fully online experience for contractors and applicants. This change helps everyone — contractors get quicker confirmation and reduced follow-up, and staff can process requests faster and with greater accuracy.

We encourage everyone to explore the updated forms page and start using the new format today.
 

Commissioner Swicegood

Randy Swicegood, REHS of Davidson County Environmental Health, has been appointed to his first term on the Commission. Commissioner Swicegood fills one of the two Environmental Health Specialist seats.  

Please join us in congratulating Commissioner Swicegood on his appointment.

 

Pump Tags: Don’t Miss This Final Step

A small but important detail in well installation often gets overlooked: the pump installation information plate — commonly referred to as the pump tag.

Under 15A NCAC 02C .0107(j)(3), the installer of a pump must permanently attach an information plate to the well within 72 hours of completing the pump installation. This tag must include the following:

  • Date the pump was installed
  • Depth of the pump intake
  • Horsepower rating of the pump
  • Installer’s name and certification number

It’s essential to stamp the tag with the actual date the pump was installed, not the date the tag was affixed. Getting this detail right ensures that the well’s operational history is accurate — something that can matter down the road for maintenance, troubleshooting and the Certificate of Completion by the local health department.

The tag must be made of durable, waterproof, rustproof metal or an equivalent approved material, and it must be attached where it is visible and doesn’t obscure other required well information.
 

North Carolina Well Contractors Certification Commission

Commission Members

Christopher Deal, NCWC   Chairman – Burgaw
Chauncey Leggettt, NCWC - Tarboro
Douglas Young - Fayetteville
G. Thomas Ammons, NCWC - Red Bank 
Chad Julian, NCWC - Olin
Heather Ray, REHS - Mecklenburg County EH 
Randy Swicegood, REHS - Davidson County EH

WCC Staff

L. Bryan Colvard, REHS - 336-528-0409 — bryan.colvard@dhhs.nc.gov

Cassandra “Casey” Champion, REHS, NCWC - 919-218-3856 — casey.champion@dhhs.nc.gov

 

Certification Today

Total Number CertifiedTotal Number of Applicants for CertificationCertifications Currently Suspended
1,204850

 

NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Division of Water Resources Water Quality Regional Operations Section


NCDHHS Division of Public Health Environmental Health Section

NCDHHS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.

 

Commissioner Changes

June 30, 2018, marked the end of Commissioner Daniel Ortiz's second appointment. Commissioner Ortiz served for six years on the Commission.

June 30, 2020, marked the end of Commissioner William “Billy” Yow’s second appointment. Commissioner Yow served for six years on the Commission.
 

Certification Renewal

A friendly reminder that certification renewal notices are mailed out in the beginning of May each year. Well contractor certifications expire on June 30, 2025. Well contractors that have not renewed by the June 30 deadline are no longer certified as of July 1.

Supervising or performing well contractor activities after June 30 without certification renewal is a violation of Article 7A (Well Contractors Certification Act) and may subject that individual to a civil penalty assessment.

If you have not received your renewal notice by mid-June contact staff at 919-707-5882.

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