What you should know before drilling a new well

A new well is a big investment. Many wells last for decades. Which means your well will likely outlive your house. Before you spend thousands of dollars, it’s important to make sure you have the right plan and trust the company you hire. Every well is unique and it’s worth spending time evaluating your options.

Here are some questions you should ask and things you should know before committing to drilling your new well. You need to make these decisions carefully in advance because some things can’t be changed once your well is finished.

Question: Can your property get well water?

Water Availability

The first thing you need to know is if your property can even get water. You don’t want to spend thousands of dollars drilling a dry hole.

While there is no guarantee, an experienced company will tell you how confident you can be that you will successfully find water. They do this by evaluating groundwater geography to see if there is an aquifer below your property and by looking at other well logs in your area. A good company will very rarely be unsuccessful in finding water on a new well project they drill.

Question: How will you use your well?

Well Use

Assuming you have the reassurance your property is eligible for well water, you need to decide how you plan on using your well. This will determine how many gallons your system needs to produce and your water storage needs. It can even affect how deep you need to drill.

House Water

If using your well for house water, it’s safe to assume each person will use around 82 gallons per day. The water also needs to be safe for showering and drinking. Every well and aquifer has different water properties so you’ll need to address your individual well’s filtration needs.

Irrigation

Well water can also be used for irrigation. In fact, many wells have a great return on investment for irrigation use compared with the cost of using city water. Sometimes you can drill a shallower well (which is cheaper) if you only plan on using it for irrigation purposes only since it won’t be used for human consumption.

Both

If you’re using your well for both house water and irrigation, your system will need to be capable of maintaining the right water pressure and water volume. The company that designs your system also needs to be able to work within groundwater district regulations. For instance, many groundwater districts in the area limit you to 17 gallons per minute. An experienced company can help you meet your water needs while adhering to local requirements.

Question: Do you want fluctuating or constant water pressure?

Water Pressure

Water pressure is a big part of a water well system. You need to decide how important your water pressure preferences are.

Fluctuating Water Pressure

Most water wells use a combination of the well pump and a pressure tank to create water pressure. The water pump sends water into a pressure tank to store and pressurize water. The pump and the tank work together to provide pressure to your house or irrigation. The tank will use an air bladder or air pocket to push water into the pipes when the water is turned on. Once the water level and pressure drop inside the tank, the pump turns on to send more water to the system. This creates small but noticeable fluctuations in water pressure as you use your water.

Constant Water Pressure

To have good, constant water pressure, you can opt for something called a variable speed drive. A drive is an electronic device that controls how fast a water pump pumps water to the surface to create consistent pressure. With a drive, you only need a small pressure tank to regulate the water as it travels through to the plumbing. This also helps extend the life of your pump because the varying speed doesn’t work a pump as hard as a typical system where the pump is either working at 100% capacity or is completely off. On wells less than 500 feet deep, a constant pressure system typically costs a little more in total. On wells deeper than 500 feet, it typically costs a little less. There are a lot of variables that go into costs between the two systems.

Question: How filtered do you want your water?

Water Quality

If you’re using well water for irrigation use only, you don’t need to worry too much about filtration. But if you plan on using your well for house water, the water quality is important. Your well water should be tested to assess the filtration options you may need. Here are a few basics to consider.

Bacteria

Bacteria in water can make you sick. If it’s in a well it can be addressed by treating the well water source directly. It’s always a good idea to consider having a UV light filter as the last line of defense to kill bacteria before the water runs into your house.

Smell

A pungent smell like “rotten eggs” in water doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not safe to drink or use, but it definitely isn’t pleasant. It could be that the water contains too much hydrogen sulfide gas or other elements contributing to the stink. There are filtration options to get the smell out and you will be glad you did.

Hardness

Hard water can create buildup called scale in pipes and appliances. This can cause expensive damage. You’ll want to filter against hard water. Not only will your appliances thank you, but your hair and your skin will too. It will also help keep calcium build up off dishes and shower doors.

Staining

Water with iron in it can stain toilets, sinks, and clothes. With filtration, it can be removed before entering the house. We highly recommend it.

Filtration can always be added to your system later after it’s up and running. But it’s something you’ll definitely want to address. When it comes down to it, most water wells need some sort of filtration!

Question: How long do you want your investment to last?

System Longevity

Everyone knows that water combined with the harsh elements of the outdoors is tough on any mechanical system. Your well system is no different. Components won’t last forever and at some point, you will need maintenance and repair. But there are things you can do to extend the life of your water well to avoid costly fixes down the road.

Pump Life

The most expensive and important part of your water well system is your water pump. Getting a quality pump is important. You can extend the life of your pump by adding a drive in a constant pressure system as we already mentioned in the water pressure topic. A good water well contractor will always pass along the best manufacturer warranty available to you as a customer. Certified key dealers get the best warranties from the manufacturers. This is something you definitely want to ask about. This could save you thousands of dollars if your pump fails. You should expect a quality pump to last at least 10-15 years. Some pumps can last much longer than that depending on the environment.  

Quality Parts

Going for quality parts makes a big difference in the long run. Many water well companies use budget parts that don’t last. You think you are getting a good deal but end up paying much more to replace those parts sooner than you expect or want. You get the best value for your investment by ensuring everything from the well casing, pump, small components, pressure tank, control box, and filtration are reliable, commercial-grade equipment. Trust us, you won’t regret it.

What’s Next

We hope this information helps you feel better informed as you consider your options. It may sound like a lot but don’t get overwhelmed. Find a company you feel confident can guide you through each step of the process.

We’d love for you to consider letting us serve you. We can give you a free well quote and consultation as you consider all of your options. Even if you’re just researching, reach out! One of our team members can give you a lot of good information and answer your questions. We want to help you make the right decision.

Becoming a well owner is exciting and a well-designed (pun intended) system makes ownership easy. Even though it feels expensive, water is priceless.

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