Well Drilling Regulations — Ontario Regulation 903 for Deep River and Northern Renfrew County

Ontario Regulation 903 (Wells) Overview

All well drilling in Ontario is governed by Ontario Regulation 903 (Wells), enacted under the Ontario Water Resources Act. This comprehensive regulation sets standards for every aspect of well construction, maintenance, and abandonment. The full regulation text is available at https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/900903.

Regulation 903 applies to all types of wells — including residential water wells, monitoring wells, dewatering wells, and geothermal exchange wells. For property owners in Deep River and northern Renfrew County, the most relevant provisions cover well construction standards, contractor licensing, setback requirements, and Well Record filing.

Well Contractor Licensing

Under Ontario Regulation 903, only licensed well contractors registered with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) may construct, repair, or abandon wells in Ontario. Key licensing requirements include:

• Contractors must hold a valid well contractor licence issued by the MECP
• Individual well technicians must also hold a valid well technician licence
• Licences must be renewed periodically and are subject to compliance reviews
• Contractors must carry appropriate liability insurance
• Contractors must file Well Records with the MECP within 30 days of completing any well work

Property owners should always verify that their chosen contractor holds a current MECP licence. In northern Renfrew County, fewer local drillers operate compared to more populated areas — many contractors travel from Pembroke or Petawawa to serve Deep River and Chalk River area properties.

Setback Distance Requirements

Ontario Regulation 903 specifies minimum setback distances between a well and potential contamination sources. These distances are critical for protecting groundwater quality, especially in the thin-soil, fractured granite geology of the Deep River area where surface water can quickly reach the aquifer.

These are minimum distances. Local conditions such as shallow overburden, fractured bedrock, or high groundwater may necessitate greater setbacks. The licensed well contractor is responsible for ensuring compliance with all setback requirements at the time of drilling.

Well Record Requirements

A Well Record is a legal document that must be completed and filed with the MECP for every well constructed, repaired, or abandoned in Ontario. The Well Record includes:

• Property location and owner information
• Drilling contractor and well technician licence numbers
• Well construction details (depth, casing diameter, casing length, grouting details)
• Geological information (rock types encountered, overburden description)
• Water yield (measured in imperial gallons per minute)
• Water quality test results
• Well abandonment details (if applicable)

The contractor must file the Well Record within 30 days of completing the work. Property owners should request a copy of the Well Record for their files — it is an important document for property transactions and future well maintenance.

Existing Well Records for properties across Ontario can be searched at the Ontario Well Record archive. This is a valuable resource for Deep River area property owners researching typical well depths and yields in their neighbourhood.

Municipal Considerations for Deep River and Laurentian Hills

While Ontario Regulation 903 provides the provincial framework for well drilling, municipalities in northern Renfrew County may have additional requirements or considerations:

• Laurentian Hills (Deep River): Property owners should check with the municipal office regarding any local building permit requirements, property setback bylaws, or zoning considerations that may affect well placement
• CNL/AECL vicinity: Properties near the Chalk River Laboratories site may have additional regulatory considerations related to environmental oversight in the area
• Conservation authority: The Ottawa River watershed is managed by conservation authorities that may have additional requirements for properties near water bodies or wetlands
• Building permits: New home construction or major renovations that include a new well may require a building permit from the municipality that specifies well requirements

Property owners should contact their local municipal office (Laurentian Hills or Deep River) well before any drilling work to confirm all local requirements.

Well Construction Standards Under Regulation 903

Ontario Regulation 903 specifies detailed construction standards that all wells must meet. Key requirements for residential wells include:

Casing Standards

• Casing must extend at least 3 metres (10 feet) into bedrock or as otherwise specified by the regulation
• Casing must be grouted into the bedrock to prevent surface water infiltration
• Steel casing must meet minimum thickness standards; PVC casing may be used in certain conditions
• The annulus between casing and borehole must be sealed with grout from bottom to surface

Wellhead Requirements

• A sanitary well cap is mandatory — must be vermin-proof and prevent surface water entry
• The wellhead must extend at least 40 centimetres (16 inches) above final grade
• The area around the wellhead must be graded to direct surface water away
• A minimum of three metres of grout seal below grade is required

Testing Requirements

• Yield testing must be performed and recorded on the Well Record
• Minimum acceptable yield for residential use is 1 imperial gallon per minute
• Bacteriological testing (coliform, E. coli) must be performed after well shocking
• The well must be disinfected (well shocked) after construction or any repair work

Well Abandonment Requirements

Wells that are no longer in use must be properly abandoned under Regulation 903 to prevent groundwater contamination. An abandoned well that is not properly sealed can act as a direct conduit for surface contaminants to reach the aquifer. Only licensed well contractors may abandon a well. The abandonment process involves removing any obstructions, disinfecting the well, and filling it with an approved sealing material (cement grout or bentonite slurry).

Key Government Resources

Related Information