HARRISBURG — Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Paul Takac that would establish statewide licensing standards for water well drillers has passed the Pennsylvania House with bipartisan support.

House Bill 2302 would amend the state’s Crane Operator Licensure Act to include licensing requirements for water, geotechnical, geothermal and environmental well drillers, according to Takac, D-Centre.

Takac said the bill would create consistent statewide standards for well siting and construction while establishing training and licensure requirements aimed at protecting public safety and groundwater resources.

“This legislation provides clear and consistent guidelines to protect public safety and our natural resources,” Takac said in a statement.

The legislation was amended to clarify bonding, insurance and continuing education requirements for drillers, while also adding sampling and reporting provisions intended to strengthen public health oversight.

Takac said more than 3 million Pennsylvanians rely on private water wells, particularly in rural communities, but Pennsylvania remains one of only three states without statewide licensing standards for well drillers.

He also noted Pennsylvania is one of two states that does not enforce statewide water well siting and construction standards.

According to Takac, the state’s geology makes proper well placement and construction especially important as thousands of water, geothermal and environmental test wells are drilled each year.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation would help reduce the risk of groundwater contamination while allowing experienced drillers currently working in the field to continue operating under legacy provisions included in the bill.

The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.