Apply In-Person

1. To apply for a permit or a license to drill a well and use the water, you have to submit your application to the Water Resource Authority (WRA). You can view their contact details and location map via this link: Link
2. For a new well,you will require both a Permit to drill and a Licence to abstract and use water, while a new surface water source or a previously drilled well will require only a Licence to abstract and use water. Both the application forms can be obtained from the WRA office or downloaded from their website: Link (Application for Consent of Authority to Well Drilling and/ or Application for a Licence to Abstract and Use Water) alternatively you can download the forms via the link provided in “Documents to Use” section below
3. Complete the application form/s correctly as per the service you wish to apply for and obtain the required supporting documents
4. Once your application form/s and any other relevant supporting documents have been completed, signed, stamped, and certified where required, submit your application(s) for accessing a well to the WRA office. Note that all requests should be addressed to the Managing Director.
5. Pay the required processing fees at the cashier and obtain the payment receipt
6. Once you have paid the processing fee, the WRA will verify your application if it is to the required standard and then they will forward their request for additional information and/or require you to conduct tests regarding the application. Note that any additional fees on these requests will be incurred by you
7. Then the WRA will conduct and monitor the required test and analyze the collected data
8. In the case of permit to drill a new well and for a license to abstract and use water, the WRA will conduct a site investigation for:
   • A Permit Application to drill (new well) to evaluate hydrogeology (water availability, water quality, nature of the formation, and the chance of success), the suitability of site (including access), and proximity to other already established systems (possible interference).
   • A Licence Application to abstract and use water to evaluate hydrology (flow measurements to determine discharge and reliability of source), water quality (for portable or irrigation suitability), and impacts on other users downstream as well as on the aquatic system
9. If the test results and investigation report are satisfactory to the WRA, they will issue a format to advertise your application in the local newspaper
10. Using the format of the advertisement issued by the WRA, post the advert Map of the Site along with a copy of the application form at the local Post Office closest to the proposed site and a separate advert at a local newspaper twice seven days apart. Note that the advertisement at the poster must show a map of the site together with a copy of the application form. The public has 21 days to submit objections to the WRA on the issuing of a permit or license.
11. After 21 days and there is no objection to your application, the application will be forwarded to the WRA Board for its decision on approval
12. Upon approval, the Permit and/or License will be processed and you will be requested to pay the license and/or permit fees
13. Once you have paid the fees, the license and/or permit will be sent to you or you can collect them at the WRA office in person

Permit for well drilling

• Form completed in duplicate

Other supporting documents

• Two copies of site map at 1:50,000 scale
• Application fee of J$15,000
• Proof of ownership or right to access of property on which water source is located
• Two Advertisements in a Local Daily Newspaper indicating intent to drill well at the requested site.
• Permit fee of J $30,000.00 Paid upon approval of the application

License to Abstract and Use Water

• Form A completed in duplicate

Other supporting documents

• Two copies of site map at 1:50,000 scale
• Application fee of J$15,000.00
• Proof of ownership or right to access of property on which water source is located
• Water quality analysis of a sample from the water source (taken no earlier than 6 months before submission of the application or on-site visit).
• Copy of Permit Application or Permit to construct subdivision/development if applicable.
• Copy of application for or Licence from NEPA to discharge wastewater or sewage effluent if applicable
• Copy of Mining or Quarry Licence if applicable

Water Resources Authority
Hope Gardens
Kingston 7
Jamaica, W.I.
Tel: 1 (876) 927-0077/927-0189/927-0293
Fax: 1 (876) 977-0179/702-3937
Email: wra@colis.com
Website: Link
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Friday: 8:30 am-4:00 pm

• Individuals and Companies who wish to drill well in their property are eligible

Permit to drill a new well

• Application/Processing Fees: JMD15,000
• Permit Fees: JMD 30,000

License to abstract and use water

• Application/Processing Fees: JMD15,000
• Permit Fees: JMD30,000

Note:

• Fees for any services offered by the Authority are charged based on a cost-recovery only. A non-refundable application processing fee must be submitted along with your application for your Permit and/or Licence.  The WRA will not accept your application without evidence of the payment of your processing fee.
• The actual permit/license fees are to be paid when your Permit/Licence applications have been approved and you as the applicant have been informed.  The WRA will not issue your Permit/Licence without evidence of the payment of your permit and/or license fees.

• Both the permit and license are valid for the period stated in them and are both subjected to renewals at a renewal fee

• Application for Consent of Authority to Well Drilling:Link
• Application for a Licence to Abstract and Use Wate:Link

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

• The application will be processed within Sixty working days

Videos explaining the procedure or to fill the applications.
Attach videos using the following tag <&video type='website'>video ID|width|height<&/video&> from external websites.
Please remove the '&' inside the tags during implementation.
Website = allocine, blip, dailymotion, facebook, gametrailers, googlevideo, html5, metacafe, myspace, revver,
sevenload, viddler, vimeo, youku, youtube
width = 560, height = 340, Video ID = Can be obtained from the URL of webpage where the video is displayed.
e.gIn the following url 'http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0US7oR_t3M' Video ID is 'Y0US7oR_t3M'.

• If the Authority refuses to grant a permit it will state in writing the reasons for the decision and inform you the right under the Act to appeal the decision.
• Any person who objects to a decision of the Authority concerning the grant of a permit or license, or to their refusal to grant a permit or license has the option of appeal. The appeal letter should state the grounds under which the appeal is made and must be submitted for the attention of the Permanent Secretary within fourteen days of the notification of the decision being appealed. The Minister may dismiss the appeal and confirm the decision of the Authority, allow the appeal and set aside the decision, vary the decision or allow the appeal and direct the Authority to re-evaluate the matter being appealed.

• Applicant information
• Contact details
• Location details
• Drilling contractor Information
• Purpose for drilling
• Technical details
• Signature and dates

• Permit to Drill a Well: Before any new well can be established, a permit to drill must be obtained. A permit is also required to alter an existing well (e.g. deepen or widen), and this process requires the submission of an application form giving the technical details of the proposed well.
• License to Abstract and Use Water: The abstraction and use of water from all surface or groundwater sources require a license. The Water Resources Authority (WRA) should also be notified prior to changing the pump on any existing works; as a new license is required if this results in a change in the abstraction volume. The submission of an application form giving information on the source to be tapped and the use of the water is required.

Enter other informations which might help.

Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
e.g. Birth Certificate can be used as proof of identity.

• Government of Jamaica: Link
  

More information which might help people.