Free Texas Water Well Driller practice test

10 questions from our verified Water Well Driller bank. Pick an answer to see if you’re right, the correct answer, and the rule it comes from. No sign-up.

Real exam: 70 scored questions112 minutes70% to pass

Question 1 · Design, Construction, and Completion
What is the primary function of a well screen?
The answer is C. To allow water to enter while holding back formation material
The screen (well intake) admits water while excluding sediment from the formation and filter pack.
Source: EPA Handbook of Suggested Practices for Design and Installation of Ground-Water Monitoring Wells (well intake)
Question 2 · Design, Construction, and Completion
Why is excessive sand content in the drilling fluid a problem?
The answer is C. It abrades the pump and drill string and degrades the filter cake
Abrasive solids wear out mud pumps, swivels, and bits, and a sandy filter cake is thick and weak. Solids control equipment (settling pits, desanders) keeps the fluid clean.
Source: Groundwater and Wells, 3rd Ed., Ch. 8 (Sand Content, p. 318)
Question 3 · Design, Construction, and Completion
If the drilling fluid's uphole velocity is too low, what is the most likely consequence?
The answer is D. Cuttings accumulate in the hole and can pack off or stick the drill string
Cuttings that are not lifted out settle, regrind, and load the annulus — leading to packing off, stuck pipe, and poor penetration rate.
Source: Groundwater and Wells, 3rd Ed., Ch. 8 (borehole cleaning)
Question 4 · Design, Construction, and Completion
Wells serving a public water system are subject to which additional rule?
The answer is A. 16 TAC §76.73, Standards of Completion for Public Water System Wells
Public-supply wells must meet the additional completion standards in §76.73.
Source: 16 TAC §76.73 (Standards of Completion for Public Water System Wells)
Question 5 · Design, Construction, and Completion
Why are centralizers used when grouting a cased well?
The answer is B. To keep the casing centered so grout surrounds it evenly
A casing lying against the borehole wall cannot be sealed all the way around; centralizers ensure a uniform annulus.
Source: Manual of Water Well Construction Practices, 3rd Ed., Section 4.4.1 (Centralizers)
Question 6 · Geology and Hydrology
Clay typically has high porosity but makes a poor aquifer because:
The answer is A. It has high specific retention and very low hydraulic conductivity
Clay's pores are tiny and poorly connected, so water is held by surface tension rather than transmitted.
Source: Groundwater and Wells, 3rd Ed., Ch. 2 (aquifer properties, pp. 18-23)
Question 7 · Geology and Hydrology
In an unconfined aquifer, the top of the saturated zone is called the:
The answer is A. Water table
An unconfined aquifer's upper surface is the water table, at atmospheric pressure.
Source: Groundwater and Wells, 3rd Ed., Ch. 2 (Unconfined Aquifers, p. 15)
Question 8 · Texas Law and Rule
After plugging an abandoned or deteriorated well, a plugging report must be submitted within how many days?
The answer is B. 30 days
Within 30 days of plugging, the report goes to the groundwater conservation district (if the well is in one) and the executive director.
Source: Tex. Occ. Code §1901.255(d) (Plugging Water Well)
Question 9 · Texas Law and Rule
Under Chapter 1901, an 'abandoned well' is defined as a well that:
The answer is D. Is not in use
An abandoned well is one not in use. The statute lists conditions under which a well IS considered in use — including a non-deteriorated well that has been capped.
Source: Tex. Occ. Code §1901.255(a)(1)
Question 10 · Well Rehabilitation
Which treatment is normally used to dissolve carbonate scale in a plugged well screen?
The answer is B. Acid treatment
Table 13.3 characterizes the common acids used in well rehabilitation — hydrochloric, phosphoric, and sulfamic — by strength, reaction time, corrosiveness, and hazardous fumes. Chapter 13 also notes using as little hydrochloric acid as possible, and that citric and hydroxyacetic acids act as chelating agents to keep iron in solution. Acid is always paired with mechanical agitation and the debris pumped out.
Source: Groundwater and Wells, 3rd Ed., Ch. 13 (Table 13.3, Characteristics of Common Acids, p. 618)

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