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Free Water Well Driller Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

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

  1. 1A contractor plans to advertise and contract for potable water-well drilling in Wisconsin. What credential must be in place before doing so?

    1. A. A water well driller license or water well drilling business registration
    2. B. A water well drilling rig operator registration only
    3. C. A heat exchange driller license only
    4. D. A pump installing business registration only

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NR 146.03(1)(a) states, "No person may engage in the business of water well drilling or act as a water well driller without first obtaining a water well driller license or water well drilling business registration." The planned advertising and contracting fall within that regulated business activity.

    Reference: Nr 146 — NR 146.03(1)(a)

  2. 2A proposed Wisconsin condominium water system will serve 10 condominium units. Which construction chapter governs it?

    1. A. NR 811
    2. B. NR 141
    3. C. NR 146 only
    4. D. NR 812 only

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NR 811.01 says the chapter governs construction of "any water system serving ... 10 or more condominium units." A ten-unit condominium system meets that threshold.

    Reference: Nr 811 — NR 811.01

  3. 3When selecting a Wisconsin well site, what general sanitary-location condition applies?

    1. A. The well must be where it and its surroundings can be kept sanitary
    2. B. The well must be placed at the lowest point on the lot
    3. C. The well must be inside a driveway ramp
    4. D. The well must be directly downgradient from drainage

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NR 812.08(1)(a) requires a well to be located "So the well and its surroundings can be kept in a sanitary condition." The selected site must satisfy that condition.

    Reference: Nr 812 — NR 812.08

  4. 4Which part of Wisconsin was not directly impacted by the Wisconsin Glaciation?

    1. A. Door Peninsula
    2. B. Driftless Area
    3. C. Lake Winnebago basin
    4. D. Green Bay lowland

    Answer: B

    Explanation: The DNR study guide states, "All of Wisconsin was impacted by glaciation, except for the Driftless Area in southwestern Wisconsin." The Driftless Area is the exception.

    Reference: Epa Well Handbook Official 20261015 — p. 26, objective 4.1.1

  5. 5If the highest point of a property is unavailable, where should a driller avoid siting the well relative to a contamination source?

    1. A. Directly downgradient
    2. B. Side-gradient
    3. C. Upgradient
    4. D. Across the contour

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The DNR guide states, "If the well cannot be located on the highest point of the property, then it should not be sited directly down-gradient from a contamination source." Directly downgradient is the location to avoid.

    Reference: Epa Well Handbook Official 20261015 — p. 31, objective 5.1.1

  6. 6What grout characteristic is most important for protecting an aquifer from vertical contaminant migration?

    1. A. Lower permeability than the surrounding formation
    2. B. Equal permeability to the surrounding formation
    3. C. Higher permeability than the surrounding formation
    4. D. Freely draining permeability like an open gravel pack

    Answer: A

    Explanation: The guide states, "The most important characteristic of grout is that it is less permeable than the surrounding geologic formation." The alternatives express other credible permeability relationships, but they would not create the required protective seal.

    Reference: Epa Well Handbook Official 20261015 — p. 47, objective 6.1.1

  7. 7Using a three-foot radius and ten-foot height, what is the approximate cylindrical volume for a grout estimate?

    1. A. 94.2 cubic feet
    2. B. 141.4 cubic feet
    3. C. 282.7 cubic feet
    4. D. 1,131.0 cubic feet

    Answer: C

    Explanation: The DNR calculation objective gives, "Volume of a cylinder: V = π r2 h." Substituting a radius of 3 feet and height of 10 feet gives π × 3² × 10, approximately 282.7 cubic feet.

    Reference: Nwcg Cylinder Volume Official 20261015 — p. 49, objective 7.1.1

  8. 8Which activity is included in Wisconsin's regulatory definition of well drilling even when it does not deepen the borehole?

    1. A. Replacing a pressure tank
    2. B. Installing a yard hydrant
    3. C. Installing a liner in a drilled well
    4. D. Replacing a building control valve

    Answer: C

    Explanation: NR 146.02(10) says, "Well drilling also includes constructing a well or performing any activity which changes the characteristics of a drilled well including ... installation of a liner." Liner installation therefore remains well drilling.

    Reference: Nr 146 — NR 146.02

  9. 9Before constructing facilities for a community water system governed by NR 811, what must be submitted for department approval?

    1. A. Plans and specifications
    2. B. Only the final water bill
    3. C. Only a property tax map
    4. D. A pump warranty after construction

    Answer: A

    Explanation: NR 811.08(1) states, "The owner of a community water system shall submit plans and specifications for all reviewable projects" in accordance with NR 108. Plans and specifications are the required submittal.

    Reference: Nr 811 — NR 811.08

  10. 10A proposed valve pit includes a pressure tank. How does NR 812 classify that arrangement?

    1. A. It remains a valve pit
    2. B. It is a reservoir
    3. C. It is not a valve pit
    4. D. It is a spring box

    Answer: C

    Explanation: NR 812.07(112p) states, "Valve pits do not contain pressure tanks." Including a pressure tank defeats the rule's definition of a valve pit.

    Reference: Nr 812 — NR 812.07(112p)

Topics in this practice bank

These topics describe the available practice for Water Well Driller. Review the examination outline and its sources for scope and allocation details.

  • Professional Licensing and Responsibilities
    • 1.1.1 Purpose and applicability
    • 1.2.1 Definitions
    • 1.3.1 Exceptions to individual water well driller license requirements
    • 1.4.1 Water well driller business registration
    • 1.4.2 Exceptions to water well driller business registration requirements
    • 1.5.1 Supervisory water well driller responsibilities
    • 1.6.1 Well filling and sealing license and registration requirements
    • 1.7.1 Conditions
    • 1.8.1 License and registration renewal application process
    • 1.8.2 License and registration renewal eligibility
    • 1.8.3 Continuing education requirements
    • 1.9.1 Responsibilities
    • 1.10.1 Basis for suspension or revocation
    • 1.10.2 Limitations on suspended or revoked credentials
    • 1.10.3 Reinstatement
    • 1.11.1 Well filling and sealing requirements
    • 1.12.1 Property transfer well inspections
    • 1.13.1 Appropriate action and stepped enforcement
  • Community Water System Scope and Approval
    • 2.1.1 When a water system is a community well
    • 2.2.1 Approval requirements
  • Well Construction and Compliance
    • 3.1.1 Applicability to water systems and drillholes
    • 3.2.1 Cooperation with the department
    • 3.3.1 Conforming work and exceptions
    • 3.4.1 Well and water system definitions
    • 3.5.1 Location requirements and Table A
    • 3.6.1 Activities requiring approvals
    • 3.6.2 Application submission and approval
    • 3.7.1 Product and component approvals
    • 3.8.1 Preconstruction responsibilities
    • 3.8.2 Water samples and well construction reports
    • 3.8.3 Post-construction correction responsibilities
    • 3.9.1 Well construction equipment and materials
    • 3.10.1 Preconstruction planning
    • 3.10.2 Construction during drilling
    • 3.10.3 Post-drilling construction
    • 3.10.4 Finishing operations
    • 3.11.1 Unconsolidated drillhole diameter and casing depth
    • 3.11.2 Casing, screens and gravel packs
    • 3.11.3 Upper enlarged drillholes and grouting
    • 3.12.1 Bedrock drillhole diameter and casing depth
    • 3.12.2 Bedrock casing materials and driving restrictions
    • 3.12.3 Upper enlarged and lower drillholes
    • 3.12.4 Bedrock grouting
    • 3.13.1 General flowing-well construction
    • 3.13.2 Flowing wells in unconsolidated formations
    • 3.13.3 Flowing wells in bedrock
    • 3.14.1 Potable high-capacity well dimensions and casing
    • 3.14.2 High-capacity well grouting and casing advancement
    • 3.14.3 High-capacity well screens and gravel packs
    • 3.14.4 High-capacity well geologic samples
    • 3.15.1 Screened wells with gravel packs
    • 3.15.2 Gravel-pack placement
    • 3.16.1 Welding procedures
    • 3.17.1 Plumbness and alignment
    • 3.18.1 Grouting and sealing annular spaces
    • 3.19.1 Liners
    • 3.20.1 Well rehabilitation
    • 3.20.2 Batch chlorination
    • 3.21.1 Driven point wells
    • 3.22.1 Dug wells
    • 3.23.1 Springs as potable sources
    • 3.24.1 When filling and sealing is required
    • 3.24.2 Filling and sealing methods
    • 3.24.3 Filling and sealing reports
    • 3.25.1 Vermin-proof caps and seals
    • 3.26.1 Pits and driveway ramps
    • 3.27.1 Water treatment
    • 3.28.1 Existing location and construction
    • 3.28.2 Existing water quality
    • 3.28.3 Existing pits and alcoves
    • 3.28.4 Existing reservoirs
    • 3.28.5 Existing dug wells
    • 3.28.6 Pump and discharge piping evaluation
    • 3.28.7 Casing height and extensions
    • 3.28.8 Existing caps and seals
    • 3.28.9 Basement wells
    • 3.28.10 Work on existing installations
    • 3.29.1 Variance applicant responsibilities
    • 3.29.2 Department variance authority
    • 3.29.3 Landfill variances
    • 3.29.4 Bedrock casing-depth variance
    • 3.30.1 Property-transfer inspection scope
    • 3.30.2 Property-transfer inspector licensing
    • 3.30.3 Inspection forms and sampling
    • 3.30.4 Evaluation criteria
    • 3.31.1 Citations
    • 3.32.1 Sampling, analysis and reporting
  • Wisconsin Geologic Conditions
    • 4.1.1 Glacial geology
    • 4.2.1 Bedrock geology
    • 4.2.2 Stratigraphic bedrock units
    • 4.2.3 Limestone and dolomite
    • 4.2.4 Sandstone
    • 4.2.5 Shale
    • 4.2.6 Precambrian basement rock
    • 4.3.1 Importance of drill cuttings
    • 4.3.2 Cuttings collection methods
    • 4.4.1 Aquifer
    • 4.4.2 Specific capacity and well yield
    • 4.4.3 Groundwater flow
    • 4.4.4 Groundwater flow map
  • Drilling, Development, and Reporting
    • 5.1.1 Siting a well
    • 5.2.1 Mud rotary
    • 5.2.2 Air rotary
    • 5.2.3 Cable-tool advantages
    • 5.2.4 Power chisel
    • 5.2.5 Bailer
    • 5.2.6 Pile driver
    • 5.2.7 Casing hammer
    • 5.2.8 Dual rotary
    • 5.2.9 Screen installation
    • 5.2.10 Well development
    • 5.2.11 Overpumping
    • 5.2.12 Surging
    • 5.2.13 Jetting
    • 5.2.14 Blasting
    • 5.2.15 Acidification
    • 5.2.16 Hydrofracturing
    • 5.3.1 Flowing wells
    • 5.3.2 Jetting methods
    • 5.4.1 Special casing-depth areas
    • 5.5.1 Water as drilling fluid
    • 5.5.2 Sodium bentonite slurry
    • 5.5.3 Drilling foam
    • 5.5.4 Other additives
    • 5.6.1 Fluid and additive selection
    • 5.7.1 Make-up water
    • 5.8.1 Well construction reporting
    • 5.8.2 Filling and sealing reporting
    • 5.8.3 Sampling reporting
    • 5.8.4 Compliance inspection report
    • 5.8.5 Property-transfer report
    • 5.9.1 Public Land Survey System
    • 5.10.1 GPS location reporting
    • 5.10.2 Well Driller Viewer
    • 5.11.1 Disinfection
    • 5.11.2 Bleach concentration and pH
    • 5.12.1 Removing residual chlorine
    • 5.12.2 Arsenic and metals sampling
    • 5.13.1 Why filling and sealing matters
    • 5.13.2 Stuck pump removal
    • 5.13.3 Bentonite chip volume
  • Annular Sealing Methods
    • 6.1.1 Grout uses and characteristics
    • 6.2.1 Straight and in-gage drillhole
    • 6.3.1 Sealant materials
    • 6.4.1 Tremie pipe method
    • 6.4.2 Bradenhead method
    • 6.4.3 Grout shoe method
  • Field Calculations
    • 7.1.1 Grout calculation

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