Many
households use groundwater as an alternative to public water
supplies. Owning a private well offers several advantages, among them
being uninterrupted access to clean water. Homeowners also relish the
fact that they do not have to contend with water bills.
Whether
you are looking to construct a well on undeveloped land or on land
that you have recently developed, you will need to consider several
factors to ensure proper location and efficient drilling of your new
well.
Read
on to learn more about planning for a private well on your land.
Hiring
Specialists for Groundwater Exploration
Before
constructing a private well, you must identify the appropriate
location for drilling or boring the well to ensure a safe source of
drinking water.
Find
a reputable provider of surveying and planning services to assess
your land before setting up a well water distribution system.
Data
Collection
Groundwater
exploration entails the collection of data on the hydrological and
geological characteristics of your land to determine the feasibility
of constructing a well in the area.
Such
an assessment generally entails evaluating rock positions and
formation, identifying potential locations for installing the well,
and determining factors such as the quality and quantity of water.
Many
factors will influence the location for your well. Important factors
to consider include the steepness of your land, the drainage
properties of the soil, and the location of amenities such as a
septic tank, cesspool, landfills, and roads.
Interviews
The
survey may also entail speaking to neighbors to find out about
existing wells, aquifer locations, and water management dynamics in
the locality.
Methods
Survey
and planning specialists use a variety of techniques to collect
relevant hydrological and geological data. Examples include surface
and sub-surface exploration, the magnetic method, water winching, and
gravity method.
Understanding
the Different Types of Wells
Wells
come in three different types depending on the method used to set up
the well. These include bored, driven, and drilled wells.
Bored
Wells
Also
known as dug wells, bored wells are constructed by digging a hole in
the ground, about 10–30 feet deep using powerful equipment such as
an earth auger. Concrete, tile, and other such sturdy material
reinforce the walls of the well.
Driven
Wells
The
construction of driven wells entails pushing a small pipe into a
ground area with sandy soil and shallow water. Driven wells are
relatively inexpensive to construct, but they are only suited for
areas with shallow waters of about 10–25 feet deep. When
constructed using a machine, these wells can go down to 50 feet deep.
Drilled
Wells
Drilled
wells are the deepest types of well and can be constructed more than
1,000 feet deep. Depending on the nature of the ground and the
desired depth, drillers use different types of equipment including
rotary and cable drilling machines.
Identifying
Water Use
When
planning to construct a private well, you must determine the various
uses of water in your household and entire property.
Understanding
your water use will help survey specialists determine whether a
certain location will be able to provide enough water to meet your
needs and, therefore, whether building a well would be worthwhile.
On
average, a person in the US uses an estimated 80–100
gallons
of
water per day. Other water uses to consider include farming
activities, lawn sprinklers, swimming pool, and fire protection,
among others.
A
private well is a significant investment. To avoid costly mistakes
such as water contamination and low-yielding wells, have a
reliable well
and pump specialist
to
turn to when you have issues with your well or its various
components. Call us today to discuss your needs.
