A Consumer's Guide to Water Wells
Hiring a Well Drilling Company
Defining Responsibilities
Estimating Cost
Financing a Well
Constructing a Well
Getting the Information On a Previously Owned Well
Developing a Well History
Using the Well History
If you are planning to have a well drilled, to buy a home that is on a well, or if you have questions about a well you are currently using, this guide is designed for you. It is intended to give you the information you need to make informed decisions about well construction, ownership, and maintenance. The South Atlantic Well Drillers Association offers this as a guide to enjoying years of successful ownership and use of a private well.
Private water wells are the traditional source of fresh potable water for many families. Nearly 15 million Americans use water wells. More than 300,000 new private wells are constructed every year. A properly constructed private water well, built by a professional driller using the latest technology, is the water system of choice for many citizens. It is the only water source that gives you the ability to make your own choices about the water you drink.
Because the well belongs to you, you decide what treatments, if any, you want. You decide when you want to use your water and how you want to use it. With a little care and maintenance your well system will last a long time. Having a properly constructed water well is a privilege that many people don't have. A well provides fresh, naturally filtered water; it allows you to make decisions which can safeguard your family's health.
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Hiring a Well Drilling Company
Interview prospective drillers as you would any professional whose services you want to use.Ask for References. Get a recommendation from former customers. Find out how long the company has worked in your area and how many wells they have drilled.
Ask About Professional Qualifications. Any drilling company you hire should be certified, licensed, or registered with the state. (Specific requirements vary from state to state.) Ask drillers you interview for proof of proper credentials.
Ask About Contracts. A professional water well driller uses a written contract. The contract should include details of the job and warranties or guarantees, if any.
Ask About Local Geology. An experienced local or regional drilling company will know the geology of your area.
Ask About State and Local Laws. A knowledgeable driller is familiar with the state and local regulations that govern well drilling.
Ask About Insurance and Bonding. A drilling company and its personnel should be insured. Some states require bonding, some do not. Find out what the law requires.
Ask About Maintenance and Repair. Timely maintenance and repair services are important to well owners. A full-service company can make life easier for you.
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Defining Responsibilities
Develop a clear understanding of the following:Permits, Site Visits, Fees, and More. Homeowners or their representatives should get whatever permits are necessary. A driller can tell you what agencies to contact and what fees must be paid. The driller coordinates construction activities and site visits by inspectors.
Well Location. In most states, strict regulations govern the location of wells. A competent driller knows the regulations and will tell you if health officials or other regulators must be present during the well location process.
Well Capacity. Drillers can estimate the water requirements for your household. Help your driller by discussing things like the number of people in your household, the number of bathrooms, or anticipated water use for "extras" such as irrigation of lawns and gardens. Be sure to include spas, whirlpool baths, or pools.
Water Quantity/Quality. The quantity and quality of water from your well depends on the geology and hydrology of the area. Well water comes from underground aquifers which exist throughout the ground at different depths. These "storage spaces" contain different amounts of water.
Please note: Drillers cannot tell you exactly how deep they will have to go to get water. An estimate can be based on other wells drilled in your area. Drillers cannot predict the exact quality of the water that will be tapped. What drillers can do is make reasonable judgments about water quality based on previous experience.
Well Records. Your driller should create a construction record (well log); ask for a copy. If the law requires an inspection, keep that report as well. Keep repair bills and information on equipment purchases. Well records are very useful for maintenance purposes. Some states require drilling companies to submit records to regulatory agencies. Ask your driller about state requirements.
Other Issues. Before construction begins, ask your driller what will be done if water is not reached at the estimated depth. Ask what options are available if the water needs some form of treatment.
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Estimating Cost
The cost of a well is determined by several factors, including those below:Depth of Well. Because most drillers charge by the foot, the depth of a well is a determining factor in figuring the basic cost of drilling and the cost of pipe. A driller will base estimates on what experience shows is an average depth for your area. If the water first tapped is adequate for your family, then drilling can stop. If not, then drilling may have to continue.
Materials and Equipment. A complete well includes casing material, pipe, a pump, a tank, and usually grout to seal the well. Choosing superior quality products can improve the efficiency and longevity of the well. In well drilling, the old saying "You get what you pay for" is true.
Please note: Homeowners often try to save money by buying and installing an inexpensive pump system. Your entire system should be installed by a skilled professional as a part of the well construction process. A cheap, poorly installed pump system can jeopardize the operation of the well and the well's safety.
State Regulations. Most states require specific construction practices designed to protect health and the groundwater. Some states prohibit use of certain construction materials. Ask the driller how state construction requirements may affect cost.
Labor. Labor is usually figured into the charge-per-foot for drilling a well. However, there may be labor costs for installing the pump and tank or for performing repairs on an existing well. Experience teaches a driller to anticipate problems that may occur. However, nature is full of surprises, some of which even the most experienced driller cannot anticipate.
Long Term Costs. Over the long term, the cost of water from your well will be pennies per day. Even factoring in construction and routine maintenance, a private well is still cost effective when compared to rates charged for the use of water from public systems.
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Financing a Well
A well is an investment. Examine available financing options, including:Your Local Bank. A local bank can include a well in a home-building or remodeling loan.
The Drilling Company. Some drilling companies have financing programs and take credit cards.
Federal Subsidies. Some federal grants and loans are available to the elderly and to low income families.
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Constructing a Well
Before construction, check on the following:Your Home Builder. If you are building a new home, ask your builder to include you in on the selection of a driller. You want to be sure that the driller who is hired meets the criteria outlined in the previous sections: "Hiring a Well Drilling Company" and "Defining Responsibilities."
Your Contract. If you are buying property where a well will be used, include language in the purchase offer that uses words such as "Purchase based on the ability to develop a water well yielding water sufficient to buyer's (your) needs."
Well and Septic Regulations. The location of wells and septic systems is usually governed by strict regulations. Decide approximately where on your lot you want your dwelling. Then have the well and septic systems located. The location approved for your well and septic may require adjustments to your chosen home site.
Please note: Do not begin construction of your home before your well and septic systems are located. Doing so may cause serious construction problems.
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Getting the Information On a Previously Owned Well
When buying a home with a well, be sure to learn all you can about the well. For information consult the following:
The Seller. The seller should have the information you need, especially if the seller is the original owner.
Previous Owners. If the seller doesn't have the information you want, try to locate and interview the previous owners.
The Driller. If you know the name of the company that installed the well, they should have the records you need. If you cannot identify the drilling company, a local regulatory agency may have helpful information. If those sources don't work, consider having a driller inspect the well, determine its depth and water capacity, and test the water.
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Developing a Well History
A well history is an important tool for well owners. If a history doesn't exist, you may have to reconstruct it yourself. Use this list of questions to develop a history of your well:What is the well's diameter? What casing material was used? How deep is the casing?
How old is the well? How deep? What repairs and maintenance have been done? How often? Who did them?
What is the well's storage capacity? What is the household water pressure like?
When was the well last tested? What were the results?
Is there a treatment system? Why? Where is it? What kind? How old?
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Using The Well History
A well history can help you make decisions.Anticipating Future Costs. Factual information on your well can help you anticipate future costs. Knowing the age of the well, the purchase date of the pump, and other specifics will give you a basis on which to anticipate repairs and regular maintenance.
Getting a Water Test. Use the well history to learn when the well was last tested. If it has not been done very recently, have a test performed before closing. If the test shows signs of bacteria, have the well disinfected and retested.
Please note: Properly constructed wells seldom show any bacterial contamination. A second test with bacteria may indicate a construction problem and the need for rehabilitation work.
Remember, having a private water supply is a privilege that many people don't have. Enjoy your water well.
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