Asking the right questions aids in building a sustainable well.
Private water wells supply both drinking water and irrigation. Building a sustainable well requires research of both local geology and laws. Knowing some of the questions to ask before digging can eliminate headaches and costs later. Knowing what questions to ask will also help you better understand the answers given by professional contractors and local authorities. Does this Spark an idea?
Where Should I Put My Well?
Knowing the well location is a critical step. Most municipalities have minimal requirements when placing a well. In Washington state, the law requires wells to be placed no closer than 50 feet from sewer or septic systems, and 100 feet from sewer fields and outhouses. In Oregon, the standards go further in suggesting an increase in distance when placing wells in sand or gravel; well locations should also be at higher grades above disposal areas and have drainage running away from the well. Locate the well out of flood zones to prevent contamination, and away from neighboring wells or property lines, so that wells don't interfere with each other or contaminate other wells.
What Municipal Requirements Are There?
Municipalities can require building permits and approval of well site locations. In Washington, this is called water availability approval. Check if your state requires certified well installers to perform the operation. Contact the local water bureau for permit requirements and design specifications. Contact the local health department for requirements it may have and for final inspection. Well testing for approval varies with state and local municipalities.
How Do I Find the Water?
Locate the survey maps of the water resources in your area. The U. S. Geological Survey has mapped water resources for most of the U.S. Well installers use these maps to locate the best possible well sites on your property. Companies use these maps along with drilling history in the local area to determine depth, location, reservoir and usage to determine drilling sites. The depth of the water table varies between areas.
What Are the Minimum Requirements for a Well?
Designing the well requires understanding the minimum standards for well construction in your area. Contact the state water bureau or a licensed well installer for these requirements. The Oregon Ground Water Association lists items you should track during construction to ensure proper standards such as casing, sealing and openings. The casing is the pipe used to prevent the borehole from collapsing into the well and seal the upper half of the well. The space between the borehole and the casing is called sealing; this is used to prevent contamination of the water. The seal is usually either cement and water or bentonite, and descends a set distance according to local law; Oregon requires an 18-foot seal. Well access must be unobstructed and allow for water-level measurement via an access port or pressure gauge. All openings must be capped, plugged or sealed, preventing surface water from entering the casing.
What Documentation Do I Need?
Two documents verify the well location and its connection to the local water table. The well identification number is the preassigned number used to locate and identify your well should further modifications be required. The well log is a copy of the report detailing the well drilling. This shows the depth of water and any issues surrounding your well and site.
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