Neosho Drilling referred to AG for law violation

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources referred a Neosho company to the state Attorney General's Office for violations of the Missouri Water Well Driller's Act, according to a Monday announcement.

DNR said Neosho Drilling owner Norm Houston failed to submit required certification forms and fees for 42 water wells his company drilled in southwest Missouri in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

According to state law, drillers are required to submit well certification records to DNR

after wells are drilled. The records are examined to make sure the wells meet the minimum construction standards, and state certification numbers are issued to the well owners if the wells pass inspections, according to a department news release.

DNR said the Well Driller's Act was passed in 1986 to protect Missouri groundwater from contamination due to improperly constructed wells. The department said contaminated groundwater can lead to water-borne illness such as typhoid, dysentery, cholera and hepatitis.