Well permitting requirements
No person shall dig, bore, drill, deepen, refurbish, or destroy a water well, cathodic protection well, observation well, monitoring well, exploratory boring (45 feet or deeper), or other deep excavation that intersects the groundwater aquifers of Santa Clara County without first obtaining a permit from the Santa Clara Valley Water District.

Well permitting process
Obtain a well permit application by calling the district's Wells and Water Production Unit at (408) 265-2607, ext. 2660, or download the appropriate application from the following page:

• Well permit applications

Please completely fill out the application. Be sure to provide complete and correct information. Incorrect or incomplete information will result in delays in the permitting process and in your drilling schedule. Be sure the property owner information is correct. To confirm the property owner information call the Santa Clara County Assessor's Office at (408) 299-3227.

Also, if you are applying for a well destruction permit be sure that you include the state and owner's well number as well as the construction permit number. Allow ten working days for permit processing.

Well inspection requirements
The district shall make an inspection of the annular seal placement upon construction or reconstruction of a well and of the grouting of wells to be destroyed. The district may make an initial inspection of each proposed work site, an inspection at the completion of the work, and inspections at such other times as it deems appropriate.

Well inspection scheduling
Upon receipt of the completed well permit you may schedule a well inspection. To schedule a well inspection call the district's Well Services Unit at (408) 265-2607, extension 2660. You must be put on the schedule at least 24 hours before you pour the annular seal or grout an exploratory boring or well to be destroyed.

On the day of the inspection, the Wells and Water Production Unit must be notified at least two hours before you pour an annular seal or grout an exploratory boring or well to be destroyed.