TITLE
Title
GUILFORD COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH: ADOPT REVISED GUILFORD COUNTY WELL RULES
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Courtney McFadden
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BACKGROUND
Background
N.C. Session Law 2026-32, effective July 2, 2026, changed the regulatory framework for private drinking water wells. Private drinking water wells must now be permitted and regulated under state requirements, and local permitting rules for private drinking water wells are repealed. Local authority for water testing standards and fees is preserved, and local rules governing other well types are not affected by the legislation.
Guilford County has maintained local well rules since June 1989. In response to the change in state law, Public Health reviewed the County's existing rules and the other well types historically regulated locally. The proposed revisions transition private drinking water wells to state requirements; retain local rules for irrigation/agriculture wells, commercial wells not permitted by NC DEQ, and monitoring wells within the HERA program; and remove DUMT (daily use greater than 10,000 gallons) and geothermal wells from the local rules.
Public Health conducted public and stakeholder outreach, including public notice and an online public-comment portal beginning September 15, outreach to developers through TREBIC and to well drillers, and a community forum on September 22 with in-person and online comment options.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
No budget impact is anticipated. The legislation preserves local authority for existing water testing standards and fees.
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Adopt the revised Guilford County Well Rules.
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