Just to enlighten those who are unsure, here are a few frequently asked questions from the world of water well drilling.
How do we get ground water?
In most cases, a water well is needed to reach the aquifer where ground water is found. Most wells are made by drilling into the rock layers using drilling machines to access water deep beneath the surface. Electric pumps are commonly used to raise the water to the surface.
How deep will I have to go to find water?
Most wells vary in depth, construction, and yield. Geological formations will determine to what depth and yield may be, and what construction techniques are required. Researching the recorded well logs in your area can also provide a more precise idea and cost of what would be necessary to construct a well.
How much water will I need?
That depends on your needs. Average usage is 100 gallons per day per person. Most public water systems supply 10 gpm, which is more than adequate water for all your needs.
What is a surface seal?
A surface seal is typically bentonite or a bentonite slurry, a form of processed clay. It is placed in the oversized borehole around the casing to a minimum depth of 18 feet to protect the well against possible surface contamination.
What is a well screen?
There are several varieties of well screen, made up of either stainless steel or PVC. Screens are primarily used in wells that contain sands and/or gravel; the screens hold back, or filter the formation, while allowing the water to move freely through to the pump without sediment. Whether one is needed or not is dependent on the formation drilled and the well’s tendency to pump sand or grit.
How much will my well cost?
Because of the variables involved, you should contact a professional licensed and insured well drilling contractor like Cascadian Drilling with your specific needs and location for an accurate estimate of cost.
What should I do if my well runs dry?
There is no one answer, so if your well does start to run dry, please contact us. There are a couple of options available.:
- It might be possible to deepen your existing well.
- You may need to have a completely new well drilled.
- You may want to consider installing a reservoir tank system.
There may also be other factors that could be contributing to well water availability issues. For example, farms typically have water sprinklers or other irrigation equipment connected to their wells. If the equipment uses the full production amount of the well, then there will be no water left for anything else, leading the owner to believe that the well is running dry.
For any questions regarding well water, drilling, and well testing & maintenance, please contact Cascadian Drilling.
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