groundwater

Well drillers must submit well reports to the state within 90 days of completing, deepening, hydrofracturing, or abandoning a well. The Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division (DWGPD) maintains a database of wells drilled in Vermont, including information on location, construction, and well logs. Members of the public can access the Well Completion Reports Searchable Database to find more information about a well.

Rules

Established under the authority of 10 V.S.A Chapter 59 Section 1941, the Petroleum Cleanup Fund (PCF) was created to pay, subject to available funding, for certain uninsured costs for the cleanup and restoration of contaminated soil and groundwater caused by the releases of petroleum from aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) and underground storage tanks (USTs), and for the compensation of third party claims for injury and damage caused by such a release.

The Regional Office Program is developing a new voluntary installer program for contractors who install onsite wastewater treatment (septic) systems and potable water supply connections.  The concept is to provide installers the information and training associated with the proper siting, design, and construction of wastewater systems and potable water supplies that are regulated by the Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules. 

Training classes will be developed based on best practices and the requirements contained in the Wastewater System and Potable Water Supply Rules.

Statutes Related to the Rules
S.27 Act 133
S.27 (Act 133 of the 2001 Adjourned Session)
Summary of ACT 133
Bill S.27 - Major Points Summary

Regional Office Program Rules

Wastewater Systems and Potable Water Supply Rules_11-06-2023 with 2024 corrections.pdf

Additional Rules that may apply: 

In 2008, the Geological Survey was asked to compile and assess existing datasets related to groundwater in Vermont.

The Geological Survey focused on collecting water well temperature data as an indicator of temperature gradients, radionuclide chemistry as a potential natural augmentation to heat production, thermal conductivity measurements which impact heat flow, and structural data particularly rock anisotropy and fracture data. Thermal conductivity and geochemical data for 40 rock samples plus 17 water well temperature records were uploaded to the National Geothermal Data System for easy access.

Onsite wastewater systems are multi-stage systems that collect, treat, and disperse wastewater generated by a home or business. The wastewater is treated and discharged to the soils rather than collected and transported to a wastewater treatment plant. The typical onsite wastewater system consists of a septic tank and some kind of leachfield to disperse the wastewater into the ground.

LICENSED DESIGNER CONTINUING EDUCATION

An affidavit must be submitted to the Office of Professional Regulation every two years confirming completion of 12 Continuing Education credit hours, including at least 4 credit hours of practical soil training.  The credit hours for each course or conference must be endorsed by the Drinking Water and Groundwater Protection Division of the DEC. The following tables provide a list of pre-endorsed courses and conferences for 2024.