How to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling?

This service enables you to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling and Groundwater Use license for specific purposes such as permanent wells (private and commercial farms,) and temporary wells for sand settling at road construction projects).

Who should apply for NOC for Drilling Permit?

• Individuals As Private farms owners, government agencies- entities, and road construction companies.

Documents Required to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling

1. Copy of the plot/Parcel plan approved by other government entity other than DM (permanent and temporary NOC)
2. No Objection letter from the landlord or project owner if they were not the applicants (permanent and temporary NOC).
3. Project details - construction projects (temporary NOC).
4. Indemnification (Liability) letter from the consultant, main contractor and sub-contractor if any (temporary NOC).
5. Well completion report (borehole log) (permanent and temporary NOC).
6. Copy of Water quality result for drilled well, issued by an accredited (DAC) laboratory (permanent and temporary NOC).
7. Copy of the flowmeter payment slip (permanent and temporary NOC).
8. Copy of old drilling permit or Groundwater use license if any. (Permanent and temporary NOC).

How to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling?

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) for well drilling: 3 working days

• Apply for the service through Dubai Municipality website.
• Receive Dubai Municipality's reply for site inspection within 3 working days from the submission of the complete application for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for well drilling, and 5 working days for a groundwater use license.
• Check Dubai Municipality website for the NOC for well drilling after well site inspection.
• Submit the well completion reports to Dubai Municipality via Dubai Municipality website after the completion of drilling activities, and groundwater test result (issued by an accredited lab) no later than 3 months from the drilling NOC issuance date, in case of approval.
• Contact the Municipality's employee within 5 working days from the date of submission of the well completion reports (borehole log, Water quality test result) for the well, after drilling for site inspection date.
• Contact Dubai Municipality employee after the well site inspection or visit the Abu Hail office to obtain the payment voucher to install approved groundwater flowmeter (if the request was approved).
• Submit the payment receipt for the approved flow meter to Dubai Municipality via Dubai Municipality website.
• Receive Dubai Municipality's reply (Approved/Rejected) via Dubai Municipality website, within 5 working days from the submission date, the approved flowmeter payment receipt, and the submission of the well completion reports (borehole log, Water quality test result), and after well site inspection.
• Receive the groundwater use license, in case of approval.

Time Required to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling

• No Objection Certificate (NOC) for well drilling: 3 working days
• License to use groundwater: 5 working days.

Fees Required to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling

• Minimum AED 100

• Knowledge and Innovation Fees: AED 20.

Who issues the NOC for Drilling Permit?

• The Natural resources sustainability Section- of the Environmental Sustainability Department is entitled to issue the Drilling permits and Groundwater Use License.

Terms and Conditions to apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Well Drilling

• The minimum fee to issue a No Objection Certificate for drilling a new well (temporary or permanent) is stipulated by Law No. (15) of 2008, however all other fees have not yet been put into effect.

• You can only drill wells through licensed companies and establishments registered with Dubai Municipality according to the regulations of Law No. (15) of 2008 of Protection of Groundwater in the Emirate of Dubai.

• Well drilling activities must comply with the technical guidelines (for users and drilling company) set by Dubai Municipality and an approved Groundwater Flowmeter will be installed within 2 months from the date of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issuance.

• Land/ Project owner bears full responsibility for the groundwater fair use policy of and the protection of the well(s) from pollution.

• The Beneficiary/Owner of the well must submit a copy of the drilling completion reports (borehole log) and Water quality test results analysed from any DAC accredited lab after completion of the drilling works activities, within no more than 3 months from receiving the No Objection Certificate (NOC) for well drilling issuance date.

• The NOC is for well drilling only and should not be considered as an operational license.

• The use of groundwater shall be consistent with all applicable laws and regulations in the Emirate.

• You are only entitled to the quantity of groundwater specified in the Use license.

• Not to tamper with the flowmeter reading or transfer or replace or make any change in it to prevent the measurement of quantities of water extracted accurately.

• Not to change the specifications of the well without obtaining the written prior approval of the municipality.

• Not to sell or trade in groundwater in any way.

• Not to cause contamination of groundwater in any way.

• Not to use groundwater from the well after the license expires.

• Dubai Municipality should be informed immediately if the well water was contaminated or saline.

• It is necessary to keep a copy of the Groundwater Use license on the well site for the purpose of inspection from Dubai municipality employee.

• Dubai Municipality has the right to revoke the license in case of non-compliance with the above conditions or if there was any adverse impact on natural resources, according to Dubai Municipality specialists' discretion.