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A NRPA permit is not required if a permit is already required pursuant to the Site Law, borrow pit laws, quarry laws, or Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) statutes. This avoids regulatory duplication. Wells in unorganized area of Maine are regulated by the Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC).

Finding the Correct Spot to Drill a Well Some people say that you can dig anywhere to reach the aquifers. While it's partially true, you should find an ideal spot to draw the correct water type. You have to look for an aquifer with an ideal depth for a well.

Pretty much unregulated - no State permit is required. Well drillers are licensed and regulated by the Maine Well Drillers Commission.

There are three types of wells commonly used in Maine: drilled bedrock wells, drilled overburden wells, and dug wells/springs. Of the three types, drilled bedrock wells are by far the most common source of drinking water for Maine homes.

Figure 1 shows a well drilled into the bedrock where it intersects several fractures that provide water to the well. The water level in the well will rise to close to the local water table level due to hydrostatic pressure even if the fracture is deep. The average depth for a drilled well in Maine is about 250 feet.

While the majority of states allow for private well-digging with the approval of a permit, a handful of states restrict digging ONLY to licensed professional contractors. In these cases, the permit is usually filled and managed by the contractor using the information provided by the property owner.