The Basics of Water Well Drilling

For most of us, water well drilling is something that occurs when there is a risk of a water leak. Determining whether or not to drill a water well is an important decision to make. If you are a homeowner, it is very important to determine the cost of water well drilling before you choose to do so. The initial investment into drilling a water well can save thousands of dollars over the life of the well, but the final costs will vary depending on several factors. Find Top tips for Water Well Drilling

 

When most people think of drilling a water well, they picture a large, dirty-looking machine digging through the ground, throwing the dirt and debris into a big truck and hauling it away. In many cases, this is not the case, and much of the expense associated with drilling wells comes from the amount of time it takes to drill a hole and complete the process. There is no guarantee that drilling into a dry well will yield water, especially if the original well has already dried up. Most professionals only recommend drilling wells if it is not deep enough for hydrofracture (at least 200′, although this is becoming more common), or if it has not been done multiple times with unsuccessful results.

 

When it comes to costing, there are two main categories: actual cost and potential cost. Potential cost is what you would spend if the project was unsuccessful. It includes any materials, tools and labor necessary to complete the job. Actual cost, on the other hand, takes into account the cost of the drilling equipment, the labor required to install the equipment, and all of the other materials needed to drill a well. Some well casing materials may be included in the total price, depending on the manufacturer.

 

Once you determine the size of your hole, you will need to decide how deep it should actually be. The average depth of a typical well is around 6′. You can determine your required depth by considering various factors such as the flow capacity of your water supply, the total capacity of your household’s sewage system, and the average water table that exists within your basin. If you have a deep well and the average depth is more than six feet, you may want to invest in a submersible well pump. A submersible well pump is a vital piece of equipment that will take pressure off you during your drilling operation, and will help keep water from freezing inside your septic system.

 

Depending on the type of drilling you plan on doing, you will need to purchase or rent a variety of equipment. If you are doing a limited number of wells, a few hand-held water guns may be sufficient. However, if you plan on drilling large holes, a bull float or high-pressure pump may be necessary. Hand-held devices such as water drills don’t come cheap, so if you are only planning on drilling a few holes, then a handheld unit will do. Depending on the amount of dirt you plan on excavating and the type of dirt you are working with, you may want to consider an electronic or hydraulic-powered machine.

 

Before you even begin digging, you need to decide how deep you want to go. In order to determine the correct depth, you will need to map out your new location using an accurate topographical map, and then map out the new location using a horizontal line drawn on a piece of graph paper. This will help you calculate the correct depths based on the type of soil you have available and on the existing topography. Once you have determined the proper depths, you can begin to drill.

 

While many homeowners do not think they require any special training in order to bore a hole for residential wells, you must know that a professional has to be involved in the process of drilling one. Although no particular education is required, most states require certain proficiency levels in order to have the proper license to perform drilling on residential wells. Typically, a person who is holding a professional license is qualified to work on a per foot basis, so you can expect to pay a little more to get the job done right the first time. However, the amount of money you pay will be worth it if you can make sure your depth is at the correct level and that the location is stable and level.

 

Permits are also required depending on where you live, and you must apply for them in advance. In some states, such as New Mexico, a permit is not actually required; however, it is highly recommended. Most permits take about two weeks to process depending on your location, and depending on your needs, it may take a couple of months. The money you spend up front can save you time and money in the long run, so it may be worth paying a small fee to save the trouble of obtaining a permit in the future.