Free Michigan Water Well Drilling Contractor Written Examination Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Michigan Water Well Drilling Contractor Written Examination practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1Which Michigan Public Health Code part governs water well construction and contractor registration?

   1. A. Part 127
   2. B. Part 31
   3. C. Part 399
   4. D. Part 111

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The governing official text is Part 127. The application identifies "Part 127, 1978 PA 368" as the legal basis.

   Reference: Application Registration Packet — MCL 333.12714; Legal Basis, page 1; MCL 333.12704

2. 2May a registered pump installation contractor construct a water well under that registration alone?

   1. A. Yes, for potable wells
   2. B. Yes, when installing a pitless adapter
   3. C. No, construction remains well-driller work
   4. D. Yes, when installing drop pipe

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The application is explicit: "Pump installers may not drill, service, or repair any part of the well not directly related to the pump installation."

   Reference: Application Registration Packet — MCL 333.12714; Registration Categories, page 1; R 325.1606(2)

3. 3What does drawdown measure in a pumping water well?

   1. A. Casing wall thickness
   2. B. The difference between static and pumping water levels
   3. C. The amount of filter pack
   4. D. The aquifer porosity

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual states: "Drawdown is the difference, measured in feet, between the static water level and the pumping level."

   Reference: State of Michigan Water Well Manual — Chapter 2, Groundwater Terms, page 17

4. 4Under Michigan law, what document authorizes a person to engage in the business of water well drilling?

   1. A. A county building permit
   2. B. A certificate of registration
   3. C. A plumbing apprentice card
   4. D. A groundwater discharge permit

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Michigan requires the state registration credential. MCL 333.12704 refers to a "certificate of registration as a well drilling contractor."

   Reference: 368-1978-12-127 — MCL 333.12714; MCL 333.12704(1)

5. 5Which person is responsible for ensuring an abandoned private well on a property is properly plugged?

   1. A. The well owner
   2. B. The electric utility
   3. C. The equipment manufacturer
   4. D. The county road agency

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The manual states: "The well owner is ultimately responsible" for proper plugging.

   Reference: State of Michigan Water Well Manual — MCL 333.12714; Chapter 12, Responsibility for Plugging

6. 6What handling is appropriate for a coliform sample after collection?

   1. A. Chill it and deliver it promptly to a certified laboratory
   2. B. Hold it at room temperature for the full chlorine contact period
   3. C. Freeze it before delivering it to the laboratory
   4. D. Acidify it as for a dissolved-metals sample

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The manual instructs: "Chill the sample and promptly mail or deliver the sample to a certified laboratory."

   Reference: State of Michigan Water Well Manual — Chapter 11, Coliform Sampling Procedure

7. 7Who promulgates Michigan rules establishing minimum standards for water well construction and pump installation?

   1. A. Each township board
   2. B. The state plumbing board
   3. C. The department
   4. D. The county drain commissioner

   Answer: C

   Explanation: The statute places rulemaking with the department: "The department shall promulgate rules."

   Reference: 368-1978-12-127 — MCL 333.12771

8. 8Who issues a site-specific deviation from Michigan's minimum well-construction standards?

   1. A. The department director
   2. B. The health officer
   3. C. The registered well drilling contractor
   4. D. The well owner

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rules repeatedly condition alternatives on approval "by the health officer."

   Reference: R 325.1601 to R 325.1781 — MCL 333.12714; R 325.1613(1)

9. 9Which description correctly defines a cross connection in a potable water system?

   1. A. A structural weld joining two casing sections
   2. B. A connection between potable water and a nonpotable source
   3. C. A coupling joining a screen to a riser
   4. D. A wire joining a motor to its control box

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The manual defines it as a connection to a "source of non-potable liquid, solid or gas."

   Reference: State of Michigan Water Well Manual — Chapter 13, Cross Connections, page 110

10. 10On what date does a Michigan well-drilling contractor certificate normally expire each year?

    1. A. March 1
    2. B. June 30
    3. C. December 31
    4. D. April 30

    Answer: D

    Explanation: MCL 333.12705 states a certificate "expires on April 30 of each year."

    Reference: 368-1978-12-127 — MCL 333.12705