Free Water Well Contractor Examination Part 1 — Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the Act Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Water Well Contractor Examination Part 1 — Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the Act practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1An Illinois farmer wants to drill a well personally on land she owns and uses for farming. Under the contractor licensing Act, how is that work treated?

   1. A. The Act's personal-land exception applies to her drilling work.
   2. B. The Act requires her to obtain a water-well contractor license first.
   3. C. The Act permits her work only under a contractor's supervision.
   4. D. The Act requires a pump-installation contractor license instead.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "This Act shall not apply:         (1) to an individual who drills a water well or installs a water well pump on land which is owned or leased by him and is used by him for farming purposes or as his place of abode; or" The owned farm and personal drilling meet the stated exception; a contractor working on another person's land would not meet these facts.

   Reference: Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act — 225 ILCS 345/3(1)

2. 2An Illinois company accepts a contract to alter a private water well. Which individual must hold the water-well credential for that contracting activity?

   1. A. A licensed Water Well Contractor
   2. B. A licensed pump installer
   3. C. A registered closed-loop contractor
   4. D. A certified plumbing inspector

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The Act defines a Water Well Contractor as a person who "contracts to drill, alter or repair any water well." The alteration contract therefore falls within that license.

   Reference: 77 Ill. Adm. Code 915.5 — 77 Ill. Adm. Code 915.5, definition of Water Well Contractor

3. 3Before beginning construction of a new water well, which document must the contractor obtain?

   1. A. A water-well permit
   2. B. A water-well construction report
   3. C. A pump-installation report
   4. D. A water-well sealing form

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Section 920.130 requires that a permit "shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work."

   Reference: Section 920 — 77 Ill. Adm. Code 920.130(a)

4. 4A municipality has a water-well ordinance approved in writing by the Illinois Department of Public Health. How does the approved ordinance affect the State permit, fee, and inspection program there?

   1. A. The ordinance replaces the State program within that unit of local government.
   2. B. The ordinance supplements the State program with a second required permit.
   3. C. The ordinance applies only after the State withdraws all inspection authority.
   4. D. The ordinance changes fee collection but leaves State permits in place.

   Answer: A

   Explanation: "If such ordinance is approved by the Department the ordinance shall prevail in lieu of the State permit, fee and inspection program" Approval makes the local ordinance prevail in place of the State permit, fee, and inspection program; an unapproved local ordinance does not have that effect.

   Reference: Illinois Water Well Construction Code — 415 ILCS 30/5b

5. 5A company plans to install a driven point well in Illinois. Which licensing treatment does the Act give this installation activity?

   1. A. It requires a water-well contractor license for the installing firm.
   2. B. It falls within the Act's listed exemptions from its requirements.
   3. C. It is exempt only when performed by a licensed pump installer.
   4. D. It requires a combined water-well and pump-installation license.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "to any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the installation of driven point wells." Section 3 lists this installation activity as exempt; ordinary contractor drilling remains subject to Section 4 unless another exception applies.

   Reference: Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act — 225 ILCS 345/3(5)

6. 6A licensed Illinois water-well contractor assigns drilling labor to an unlicensed employee. Under what arrangement may that employee perform the work?

   1. A. Under a pump contractor's remote review
   2. B. At the direction and under the personal supervision of a licensed water-well contractor
   3. C. After registering as a closed-loop contractor
   4. D. Under the property owner's written supervision

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Section 915.50 permits the labor when it is "performed at the direction and under the personal supervision of a licensed Water Well Contractor" or combined-license contractor.

   Reference: Section 915 — 77 Ill. Adm. Code 915.50(a)

7. 7How long after a water well is constructed or deepened does an Illinois contractor have to submit the construction report?

   1. A. 10 days
   2. B. 30 days
   3. C. 45 days
   4. D. 60 days

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The rule says, "Within 30 days after a water well has been constructed or deepened, the contractor shall submit a report of construction."

   Reference: Section 920 — 77 Ill. Adm. Code 920.30(b)

8. 8A new private water-system well and a potential secondary contamination source have the same owner. Under 415 ILCS 30/6a itself, what is the minimum setback at which its same-owner 75-foot prohibition no longer bars the location?

   1. A. At least 50 feet from the potential secondary source.
   2. B. At least 75 feet from the potential secondary source.
   3. C. At least 100 feet from the potential secondary source.
   4. D. At least 200 feet from the potential secondary source.

   Answer: B

   Explanation: "This prohibition does not apply to any new private water system well where the owner is the same for both the well and a potential secondary source or a potential route. In such instances, the Department shall apply a prohibition of 75 feet" For this same-owner private-well situation, Section 6a substitutes a 75-foot prohibition. Other applicable construction requirements still must be met.

   Reference: Illinois Water Well Construction Code — 415 ILCS 30/6a

9. 9A contractor holds only a water-well pump installation contractor license. The contractor plans to connect a building's water pressure tank to its well supply. Which statement applies?

   1. A. The connection requires a separate water-well drilling license.
   2. B. The connection is allowed only with a combined well-and-pump license.
   3. C. The pump-installation contractor license permits this connection.
   4. D. The connection requires a licensed plumber's credential.

   Answer: C

   Explanation: "so long as such person possesses either a valid license as a water well pump installation contractor or a water well and pump installation contractor issued under this Act." The Act expressly accepts the pump-installation license for pressure-tank connection; a combined license is also accepted, but this contractor already has the former.

   Reference: Water Well and Pump Installation Contractor's License Act — 225 ILCS 345/4

10. 10What is the minimum site-presence element of personal supervision when an unlicensed worker drills a water well in Illinois?

    1. A. Remain continuously from setup through demobilization
    2. B. Visit only when casing is installed
    3. C. Visit at least once and as often as necessary for Code compliance
    4. D. Inspect only after the construction report is filed

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The supervising contractor "must visit the work site at least once, and as often as necessary" to assure compliance.

    Reference: Section 915 — 77 Ill. Adm. Code 915.50(a)