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Arizona R-53 (Residential Drilling) Exam | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Arizona R-53
(Residential Drilling) exam, administered by PSI Online. The computer-delivered
examination is structured into two mandatory sections: a Statutes and Rules section that
evaluates knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes Title 45 and the ADWR regulations
governing well construction, licensing, and reporting, and a Trade and General Knowledge
section provided by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) that concentrates on
subsurface conditions, drilling methods, and hydraulic concepts. The assessment measures
the ability to safely construct water wells while strictly adhering to state groundwater
laws, with core topics encompassing Arizona water law and regulations, geology and
hydrogeology, well construction and drilling practices, and water quality and safety.
SECTION 1 – STATUTES AND RULES
QUESTION 1
Under A.R.S. § 45-454, a well that pumps 35 gallons per minute or less and is used for
domestic purposes is classified as:
A. A non-exempt production well
B. An exempt well
C. A replacement well
D. A monitoring well
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The statute defines an exempt well as one having a pump capacity
≤35 gpm used for non-irrigation purposes, primarily domestic use.
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QUESTION 2
What is the maximum annual volume of groundwater that an exempt well in an Active
Management Area (AMA) may withdraw for non-irrigation uses other than domestic and
stock watering?
A. 5 acre-feet per year
B. 10 acre-feet per year
C. 20 acre-feet per year
D. 56 acre-feet per year
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A.R.S. § 45-454(B)(2) limits exempt-well withdrawals for such uses
to 10 acre-feet per year within an AMA.
QUESTION 3
A non-exempt well is defined in Arizona law as a well that:
A. Serves only residential properties
B. Pumps at a capacity greater than 35 gallons per minute
C. Is used solely for stock watering
D. Is drilled without a notice of intent
CORRECT ANSWER: B
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EXPERT RATIONALE: A.R.S. § 45-2701(3) defines a non-exempt well as a well with a
pump capacity exceeding 35 gpm that withdraws groundwater.
QUESTION 4
Before drilling a new well, deepening, or modifying an existing well in Arizona, what
must be filed with ADWR?
A. A deed of trust
B. A Notice of Intent to Drill (NOI)
C. An environmental impact statement
D. A water quality report
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: State rules require that a person file a Notice of Intent to Drill with
ADWR prior to commencing any well drilling, deepening, or modification.
QUESTION 5
Which Arizona Revised Statutes title governs groundwater rights and well drilling?
A. Title 32
B. Title 45
C. Title 49
D. Title 12
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CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Title 45 of the Arizona Revised Statutes is the state’s water code
that addresses groundwater rights and well construction.
QUESTION 6
Who must approve the actions to be taken when a well is drilled, modified, or
abandoned on a property?
A. The county assessor
B. The landowner
C. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors
D. The local fire chief
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: ADWR requires that the landowner approve all drilling,
modification, or abandonment actions on their property.
QUESTION 7
A licensed well driller must file a Well Abandonment Completion Report within how
many days after abandoning a well?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
Arizona R-53 (Residential Drilling) Exam | Latest
Verified Questions and Detailed Answers
OVERVIEW DESCRIPTION:
This Comprehensive set of multiple choice questions is designed for the Arizona R-53
(Residential Drilling) exam, administered by PSI Online. The computer-delivered
examination is structured into two mandatory sections: a Statutes and Rules section that
evaluates knowledge of Arizona Revised Statutes Title 45 and the ADWR regulations
governing well construction, licensing, and reporting, and a Trade and General Knowledge
section provided by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) that concentrates on
subsurface conditions, drilling methods, and hydraulic concepts. The assessment measures
the ability to safely construct water wells while strictly adhering to state groundwater
laws, with core topics encompassing Arizona water law and regulations, geology and
hydrogeology, well construction and drilling practices, and water quality and safety.
SECTION 1 – STATUTES AND RULES
QUESTION 1
Under A.R.S. § 45-454, a well that pumps 35 gallons per minute or less and is used for
domestic purposes is classified as:
A. A non-exempt production well
B. An exempt well
C. A replacement well
D. A monitoring well
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: The statute defines an exempt well as one having a pump capacity
≤35 gpm used for non-irrigation purposes, primarily domestic use.
,2|Page
QUESTION 2
What is the maximum annual volume of groundwater that an exempt well in an Active
Management Area (AMA) may withdraw for non-irrigation uses other than domestic and
stock watering?
A. 5 acre-feet per year
B. 10 acre-feet per year
C. 20 acre-feet per year
D. 56 acre-feet per year
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: A.R.S. § 45-454(B)(2) limits exempt-well withdrawals for such uses
to 10 acre-feet per year within an AMA.
QUESTION 3
A non-exempt well is defined in Arizona law as a well that:
A. Serves only residential properties
B. Pumps at a capacity greater than 35 gallons per minute
C. Is used solely for stock watering
D. Is drilled without a notice of intent
CORRECT ANSWER: B
,3|Page
EXPERT RATIONALE: A.R.S. § 45-2701(3) defines a non-exempt well as a well with a
pump capacity exceeding 35 gpm that withdraws groundwater.
QUESTION 4
Before drilling a new well, deepening, or modifying an existing well in Arizona, what
must be filed with ADWR?
A. A deed of trust
B. A Notice of Intent to Drill (NOI)
C. An environmental impact statement
D. A water quality report
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: State rules require that a person file a Notice of Intent to Drill with
ADWR prior to commencing any well drilling, deepening, or modification.
QUESTION 5
Which Arizona Revised Statutes title governs groundwater rights and well drilling?
A. Title 32
B. Title 45
C. Title 49
D. Title 12
, 4|Page
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: Title 45 of the Arizona Revised Statutes is the state’s water code
that addresses groundwater rights and well construction.
QUESTION 6
Who must approve the actions to be taken when a well is drilled, modified, or
abandoned on a property?
A. The county assessor
B. The landowner
C. The Arizona Registrar of Contractors
D. The local fire chief
CORRECT ANSWER: B
EXPERT RATIONALE: ADWR requires that the landowner approve all drilling,
modification, or abandonment actions on their property.
QUESTION 7
A licensed well driller must file a Well Abandonment Completion Report within how
many days after abandoning a well?
A. 10 days
B. 30 days
