As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [PL 1991, c. 455, Pt. B, §1 (NEW).]
1. Apprentice well driller. "Apprentice well driller" means a person who is engaged to work at and learn the trade of well drilling under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman well driller.
[PL 1993, c. 25, §2 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
1-A. Apprentice pump installer. "Apprentice pump installer" means a person who is engaged to work at and learn the trade of water well pump installation under the direct supervision of a master or journeyman pump installer. A person who is licensed under chapter 49 as a master plumber is not required to register with the commission as an apprentice pump installer.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).]
2. Commission. "Commission" means the Maine Water Well Commission created under section 4700‑G.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]
3. Department. "Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services.
[PL 1991, c. 455, Pt. B, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 689, Pt. B, §6 (REV).]
3-A. Geotechnical driller.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (RP).]
3-B. Journeyman pump installer. "Journeyman pump installer" means a person doing the work of pump installation, repair or replacement in water wells who is in the employment of a master pump installer. A person who is licensed under chapter 49 as a master plumber is not required to register with the commission as a journeyman pump installer.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).]
3-C. Geothermal heat exchange well. "Geothermal heat exchange well" means a hole drilled, driven or bored into the earth for the purpose of using the heat exchange capacity of the earth for heating and cooling.
[PL 2009, c. 153, §1 (NEW).]
3-D. Geothermal heat exchange well driller. "Geothermal heat exchange well driller" means a person, firm or corporation engaged in the work of drilling, driving or boring geothermal heat exchange wells.
[PL 2009, c. 153, §2 (NEW).]
3-E. Geothermal heat exchange well pump installer. "Geothermal heat exchange well pump installer" means a person who is engaged to work at and learn the trade of geothermal heat exchange well pump installation.
[PL 2009, c. 153, §3 (NEW).]
4. Journeyman well driller. "Journeyman well driller" means a person doing the work of drilling, driving or boring wells who is in the employment of a master well driller.
[PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
4-A. Master pump installer. "Master pump installer" means a person, firm or corporation engaged in the installation, replacement or repair of a pump in a water well. The licensure of a master pump installer under this chapter must specify the name of the person licensed. In the case of a firm, the person licensed as a master pump installer must be a member or employee of the firm. In the case of a corporation, the person licensed as a master pump installer must be an employee of the corporation or an officer of the corporation. A person who is licensed under chapter 49 as a master plumber is not required to register with the commission as a master pump installer.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).]
5. Master well driller. "Master well driller" means a person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of drilling, driving or boring wells. The licensure of a master well driller under this chapter must specify the name of the person licensed. In the case of a firm, the person licensed as a master well driller must be a member or employee of the firm. In the case of a corporation, the person licensed as a master well driller must be an employee of the corporation or an officer of the corporation.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]
6. Pump or pump system. For purposes of a water well, "pump" or "pump system" means mechanical equipment or a device used to remove water from a well including all piping and wiring up to the existing equipment in the structure. For the purposes of a geothermal heat exchange well, "pump" or "pump system" means the mechanical equipment or device used to move fluid from the geothermal heat exchange well, including all piping and wiring, up to the existing equipment in the structure.
[PL 2009, c. 153, §4 (AMD).]
6-A. Pump installation company. "Pump installation company" means a person, firm, partnership or corporation that is engaged in the trade of water well pump installation, repair or replacement.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (NEW).]
7. Pump installer. "Pump installer" means an apprentice pump installer, journeyman pump installer or master pump installer.
[PL 2001, c. 209, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]
8. Well or water well. "Well" or "water well" means any hole drilled, driven or bored into the earth used to extract drinking water. The terms "well" and "water well" do not include:
A. Dug wells; [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
B. Monitoring wells; [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
C. Wells constructed exclusively for the relief of artesian pressure at hydroelectric projects; [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
D. Wells constructed for temporary dewatering purposes; [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
E. Wells constructed for the purposes of extracting oil, gas or brine; and [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
F. Wells on private property for private use that are constructed by the property owner or lessee of the property. [PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
[PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
9. Well driller. "Well driller" means an apprentice well driller, journeyman well driller or master well driller.
[PL 1993, c. 25, §4 (AMD); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
10. Well drilling contractor.
[PL 1993, c. 25, §5 (RP); PL 1993, c. 25, §15 (AFF).]
11. Well drilling company. "Well drilling company" means a person, firm, partnership or corporation that owns or otherwise operates any mechanical equipment used to drill, drive or bore water wells or geothermal heat exchange wells.
[PL 2009, c. 153, §5 (AMD).]
