Do you need a permit to drill a well?

Well rules are set province by province, so the specifics depend on where your property is. There are a few patterns that hold across most of the country, though.

First, private domestic wells — water for your household, yard, and livestock on your own land — are usually treated more lightly than commercial, industrial, or large agricultural use, which more often triggers a permit or water allocation. Second, most provinces require the drilling rig or the driller to be registered or licensed, and require a well record to be filed after the work. Hiring from the provincial registered-driller list, and getting your well record, is the concrete thing to check.

Because the details and any recent fee or certification changes vary, confirm your own province's requirements with its water regulator before you drill. A registered local driller will know the current process for your area — it is part of their job.

Find a driller in your province

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