Free Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers Test Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Administrative Rules for Water Well Drillers Test practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A company assigns a licensed Utah water well driller to a production-well project but leaves day-to-day construction decisions entirely to unlicensed company management. Under Rule R655-4, who retains total responsibility for the construction work in progress at the site?

   1. A. The licensed well driller
   2. B. The well owner
   3. C. The drilling company as an entity
   4. D. The registered operator on the current shift

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Rule R655-4 defines a well driller and states: "The licensed driller has total responsibility for the construction work in progress at the well drilling site." Company management does not displace that individual responsibility.

   Reference: Ut R 655 4 — R655-4-2, WELL DRILLER

2. 2A landowner argues that groundwater beneath the parcel is privately owned and therefore existing water-use rights can be ignored. How does Utah law classify the water?

   1. A. Groundwater is private property of the surface owner, regardless of existing rights
   2. B. Surface water is public property, but groundwater belongs to the surface owner
   3. C. Both surface water and groundwater are public property, subject to existing use rights
   4. D. Both surface water and groundwater belong to their first appropriator

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "All waters in this state, whether above or under the ground, are hereby declared to be the property of the public, subject to all existing rights to the use thereof." Public ownership includes groundwater while preserving existing rights to use it.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 1, General Provisions — Utah Code §73-1-1(1)

3. 3The state engineer finds that a contractor is drilling a well without the required license. Under Section 73-2-25, how may the engineer begin an administrative enforcement action?

   1. A. Issue an initial order identifying the violation and applicable penalties
   2. B. Serve a final order before giving the contractor any initial order
   3. C. Hold the contractor's requested hearing before issuing an initial order
   4. D. Seek trial de novo in court before serving an initial or final order

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "To commence an enforcement action under this section, the state engineer shall issue an initial order". Unlicensed drilling is a listed trigger, and the initial order may be a notice of violation or a cease and desist order. Beginning with a final order, hearing, or judicial review would omit the required initiating order.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 2, State Engineer — Utah Code §73-2-25(1)

4. 4Two holders have valid Utah appropriations from the same groundwater source. Their appropriation dates and construction dates differ. Which event controls priority between them?

   1. A. The earlier date of appropriation for the water right
   2. B. The earlier date of well completion for the project
   3. C. The earlier date of Start Card issuance for the well
   4. D. The earlier date of permanent pump installation

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "Between appropriators, the one first in time is first in rights." The order of appropriation controls priority between valid rights. Well completion, Start Card issuance, and permanent-pump installation are different project events.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 3, Appropriation — Utah Code §73-3-1(5)

5. 5A Utah well is allowing contamination to reach groundwater. Under Section 73-5-9, which official may require installation or repair of the well's cap, valve, or casing to prevent that contamination?

   1. A. The county building inspector
   2. B. The licensed well driller
   3. C. The state engineer
   4. D. The public water supplier

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "the state engineer may require the repair or construction of head gates or other devices on ditches or canals, and the repair or installation of caps, valves, or casings on any well". Section 73-5-9 gives that corrective order authority to the state engineer.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 5, Administration and Distribution of Water Rights — Utah Code §73-5-9(1)

6. 6A licensed Utah driller has a valid Start Card for a planned public drinking-water supply well. What additional submissions must receive favorable review before that well's drilling begins?

   1. A. A source-protection preliminary evaluation and the engineering drilling plans
   2. B. The completed well log and the post-disinfection bacteriological sample
   3. C. The constant-rate drawdown results and the final operation permit
   4. D. The witness's seal certificate and the permanent-pump equipment plans

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "Well drilling shall not begin until both of the following items are submitted and receive a favorable review:" The two listed items are the Preliminary Evaluation Report on source protection and engineering plans and specifications for drilling. A Start Card does not replace those specific public-well reviews.

   Reference: Utah Administrative Rule R309-515, Facility Design and Operation: Source Development — R309-515-6(5)(a)

7. 7A driller holds a current water-well license from another state and has not yet obtained a Utah license. Which Utah licensing rule controls whether the out-of-state credential alone authorizes drilling?

   1. A. It authorizes work for one temporary licensing cycle
   2. B. Utah does not grant this license through reciprocity or comity
   3. C. It authorizes work if the bond is filed first
   4. D. It authorizes work only on private domestic wells

   Answer: B

   Explanation: R655-4-3.1.1 states that applicants "cannot obtain a Utah license through reciprocity or comity with a similar license from other states or organizations." The out-of-state credential may document experience, but it is not itself Utah authority.

   Reference: Ut R 655 4 — R655-4-3.1.1

8. 8When a Utah water-right holder proposes to use more water than the authorized purpose can beneficially use, what principle limits the right's extent?

   1. A. Appropriation priority measures and limits the volume of the right
   2. B. Beneficial use measures and limits the volume of the right
   3. C. State-engineer approval measures and limits the volume of the right
   4. D. Public ownership measures and limits the volume of the right

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "Beneficial use shall be the basis, the measure and the limit of all rights to the use of water in this state." The rule expressly identifies beneficial use as the measure and limit. Priority, approval, and public ownership are not the measure named in this provision.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 1, General Provisions — Utah Code §73-1-3

9. 9In a final Utah water-right enforcement order, the state engineer finds one violation was knowing. What is the maximum administrative fine for that single knowing violation under Section 73-2-26?

   1. A. $1,000 for that knowing violation
   2. B. $2,500 for that knowing violation
   3. C. $5,000 for that knowing violation
   4. D. $10,000 for that knowing violation

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "(A) $5,000 for each knowing violation; or (B) $1,000 for each violation that is not knowing;" The knowing finding invokes the $5,000 ceiling for this violation; the $1,000 ceiling applies to a violation that is not knowing.

   Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 2, State Engineer — Utah Code §73-2-26(1)(a)(i)

10. 10A person seeks a new right to unappropriated Utah groundwater and plans to build the well that will acquire that right. What is the latest project milestone before which the prescribed application must be made?

    1. A. Before construction of the proposed well begins
    2. B. Before initial pumping from the proposed well begins
    3. C. Before the completed well log is filed with the state
    4. D. Before the first season of beneficial use is completed

    Answer: A

    Explanation: "shall make an application in a form prescribed by the state engineer before commencing the construction, enlargement, extension, or structural alteration of any ditch, canal, well, tunnel, or other distributing works". The application for the new right precedes well construction.

    Reference: Utah Code Title 73, Chapter 3, Appropriation — Utah Code §73-3-2(1)(a)