Page 1 of 125
Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor Exam Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST THIS
YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor Exam
The Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor exam is administered by the Kansas Department of Health
and Environment (KDHE) under the Kansas Water Well Contractors Act (K.S.A. 82a-1201 et seq.) and
associated regulations (K.A.R. 28-30). Key topics include:
• Licensing Requirements: Contractors must be licensed by KDHE; applicants must be at least 18
years old, have 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience under a licensed contractor, pass the exam,
and carry liability insurance . Apprentice licenses are also available .
• Regulatory Framework: Kansas regulations establish minimum construction standards for water
wells to protect groundwater quality . Key criteria include:
o Annular space (grout) sealing: Required for all wells in unconsolidated material, with
specific grout types and depths .
o Well casing material/thickness: Steel casing minimum thickness of 0.25 inches; PVC
casing requires greater thickness .
o Well depth: Minimum of 25 feet for standard water wells; deeper wells require specific
dewatering assessments .
o Well grouting depth requirements:
▪ Minimum of 50 feet for artesian wells .
▪ Minimum of 25 feet for all other new wells .
o Well location setbacks (K.A.R. 28-30-5):
▪ 100 feet from septic tanks, drainage fields, sewer lines (cast iron) .
▪ 50 feet from sewer lines (plastic, non-cast iron), property line, private septic
systems .
▪ 100 feet from potential sources of contamination (e.g., underground fuel tanks,
feedlots) .
▪ 50 feet from property line .
• Well Abandonment: Wells must be properly filled (plugged) with neat cement grout or
bentonite to prevent vertical migration of contaminants when no longer in use .
• Well Contractor Application & Insurance: Must provide proof of liability insurance (minimum
$500,000 combined single limit) .
• Pump Installation: Submersible pump selection, constant pressure systems, pressure tanks,
pressure switches, cut-in/cut-out settings .
• Electrical (NEC) Requirements: Bonding and grounding of metal well casings, motor control
centers, conductors and disconnects (within sight of wellhead), overload protection, GFCI and
GFPE, grounding electrodes .
• Safety: Handling drilling fluids, grout mixing, equipment operation (tremie pipe, casing
handling), falling object protection, lockout/tagout for pump work, PPE, excavation safety,
overhead power lines, confined space entry .
• Recordkeeping & Administration: Well logs (submission to KDHE), maintenance records,
disinfection logs, continuing education (16 hours for SP-WP renewal – not in KS? but KS has
similar?), annual certification renewal, and notification of address changes .
, Page 2 of 125
1. A homeowner wants to drill a new well on property that has an existing septic system. According to
K.A.R. 28-30-5, what is the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a new well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
Answer: C — Kansas regulations require a minimum of 100 feet setback from septic tanks and
drainfields.
2. A well drilling contractor is completing a new well in unconsolidated material. What is the primary
purpose of grouting the annular space between the borehole and the well casing?
A) To increase water flow into the well
B) To prevent surface contamination from migrating down the outside of the casing
C) To lubricate the casing for easier removal
D) To reduce drilling time
Answer: B — Grouting seals the annular space and prevents the downward migration of surface
contaminants.
, Page 3 of 125
3. Which Kansas agency is responsible for issuing water well drilling contractor licenses and enforcing
well construction standards?
A) Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
B) Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
C) Kansas Water Office
D) Kansas Corporation Commission
Answer: B — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is the primary regulatory
agency.
4. According to K.A.R. 28-30-4, what is the minimum depth of well grouting required for a new domestic
water well (non-artesian) drilled through unconsolidated material?
A) 10 feet
B) 25 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B — Kansas regulations require a minimum annular seal depth of 25 feet for new wells in
unconsolidated formations.
, Page 4 of 125
5. A well is being abandoned because it is no longer in use. What is the proper method for well
abandonment under Kansas regulations?
A) Fill the well with sand and gravel and cap it
B) Seal the well with cement grout or bentonite from the bottom up to prevent vertical migration of
water
C) Leave the well open to allow future monitoring
D) Knock the casing over and cover with dirt
Answer: B — Abandoned wells must be filled from the bottom with an impermeable sealant (grout or
bentonite) to prevent contamination.
6. An applicant for a well drilling contractor license has 3,000 hours of experience working under a
licensed contractor. Is this amount sufficient for licensure?
A) Yes, 2,000 hours are required
B) No, Kansas requires 2 years of experience (approximately 4,000 hours)
C) Yes, if the applicant has a CDL
D) No, unless the applicant has a college degree
Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor Exam Questions
with Correct Answers and explanations LATEST THIS
YEAR -JUST RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage – Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor Exam
The Kansas Water Well Drilling Contractor exam is administered by the Kansas Department of Health
and Environment (KDHE) under the Kansas Water Well Contractors Act (K.S.A. 82a-1201 et seq.) and
associated regulations (K.A.R. 28-30). Key topics include:
• Licensing Requirements: Contractors must be licensed by KDHE; applicants must be at least 18
years old, have 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience under a licensed contractor, pass the exam,
and carry liability insurance . Apprentice licenses are also available .
• Regulatory Framework: Kansas regulations establish minimum construction standards for water
wells to protect groundwater quality . Key criteria include:
o Annular space (grout) sealing: Required for all wells in unconsolidated material, with
specific grout types and depths .
o Well casing material/thickness: Steel casing minimum thickness of 0.25 inches; PVC
casing requires greater thickness .
o Well depth: Minimum of 25 feet for standard water wells; deeper wells require specific
dewatering assessments .
o Well grouting depth requirements:
▪ Minimum of 50 feet for artesian wells .
▪ Minimum of 25 feet for all other new wells .
o Well location setbacks (K.A.R. 28-30-5):
▪ 100 feet from septic tanks, drainage fields, sewer lines (cast iron) .
▪ 50 feet from sewer lines (plastic, non-cast iron), property line, private septic
systems .
▪ 100 feet from potential sources of contamination (e.g., underground fuel tanks,
feedlots) .
▪ 50 feet from property line .
• Well Abandonment: Wells must be properly filled (plugged) with neat cement grout or
bentonite to prevent vertical migration of contaminants when no longer in use .
• Well Contractor Application & Insurance: Must provide proof of liability insurance (minimum
$500,000 combined single limit) .
• Pump Installation: Submersible pump selection, constant pressure systems, pressure tanks,
pressure switches, cut-in/cut-out settings .
• Electrical (NEC) Requirements: Bonding and grounding of metal well casings, motor control
centers, conductors and disconnects (within sight of wellhead), overload protection, GFCI and
GFPE, grounding electrodes .
• Safety: Handling drilling fluids, grout mixing, equipment operation (tremie pipe, casing
handling), falling object protection, lockout/tagout for pump work, PPE, excavation safety,
overhead power lines, confined space entry .
• Recordkeeping & Administration: Well logs (submission to KDHE), maintenance records,
disinfection logs, continuing education (16 hours for SP-WP renewal – not in KS? but KS has
similar?), annual certification renewal, and notification of address changes .
, Page 2 of 125
1. A homeowner wants to drill a new well on property that has an existing septic system. According to
K.A.R. 28-30-5, what is the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a new well?
A) 25 feet
B) 50 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 200 feet
Answer: C — Kansas regulations require a minimum of 100 feet setback from septic tanks and
drainfields.
2. A well drilling contractor is completing a new well in unconsolidated material. What is the primary
purpose of grouting the annular space between the borehole and the well casing?
A) To increase water flow into the well
B) To prevent surface contamination from migrating down the outside of the casing
C) To lubricate the casing for easier removal
D) To reduce drilling time
Answer: B — Grouting seals the annular space and prevents the downward migration of surface
contaminants.
, Page 3 of 125
3. Which Kansas agency is responsible for issuing water well drilling contractor licenses and enforcing
well construction standards?
A) Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
B) Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
C) Kansas Water Office
D) Kansas Corporation Commission
Answer: B — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is the primary regulatory
agency.
4. According to K.A.R. 28-30-4, what is the minimum depth of well grouting required for a new domestic
water well (non-artesian) drilled through unconsolidated material?
A) 10 feet
B) 25 feet
C) 50 feet
D) 100 feet
Answer: B — Kansas regulations require a minimum annular seal depth of 25 feet for new wells in
unconsolidated formations.
, Page 4 of 125
5. A well is being abandoned because it is no longer in use. What is the proper method for well
abandonment under Kansas regulations?
A) Fill the well with sand and gravel and cap it
B) Seal the well with cement grout or bentonite from the bottom up to prevent vertical migration of
water
C) Leave the well open to allow future monitoring
D) Knock the casing over and cover with dirt
Answer: B — Abandoned wells must be filled from the bottom with an impermeable sealant (grout or
bentonite) to prevent contamination.
6. An applicant for a well drilling contractor license has 3,000 hours of experience working under a
licensed contractor. Is this amount sufficient for licensure?
A) Yes, 2,000 hours are required
B) No, Kansas requires 2 years of experience (approximately 4,000 hours)
C) Yes, if the applicant has a CDL
D) No, unless the applicant has a college degree
