How Much Water Do You Need?

If you plan wisely, a good, dependable water well can supply you with all the water you need now and in the future. A rule of thumb is to allow for between 75 and 150 gallons per person per day. You need to take into account the peak demand, for example when there may be extra guests at holidays or week-ends. Outside use of water can pose much greater demands. You need to calculate the required well yield if your well is needed for additional water uses such as:

• Swimming pool
• Heating and cooling
• Lawn and garden irrigation
• Fire protection ,irrigation etc., refer to a farm expert.

Where Should the Well Be Located?

There are four important considerations for siting a home water well:

• Where there is ground water!
• Away from sources of contamination
• Convenient for power supply and close to the home
• Accessible for drilling and pump installation equipment (most wells will have to be serviced from time to time).

In large property lots it may be necessary to obtain advice from a hydrogeologist. In most cases, the driller's local experience will enable a site to be chosen. Local setback codes must be obeyed. If possible, always locate the well at a higher elevation than any waste water septic system or other drainage systems. Local rules will specify minimum acceptable distances between wells and other structures. County health officers, sanitarians and ground water contractors can give you advice on well location.

Correct water well design and casing installation is important to protect against contamination risks. Old and abandoned wells can pose particular risks and such wells must always be decommissioned and sealed by a professional.

Pump Selection

There are many different water pumps on the market. Most ground water contractors sell, install and service pumps. Before you and your contractor can decide on the appropriate pump, you need to know the following:

• How much water will be needed at peak demand
• The well's yield potential (gallons per minute)
• Diameter of well at pumping level (the well diameter at this depth may be smaller than at ground level)
• Water level drawdown at given pumping rates
• How much water will be needed at peak demand
• Depth of ground water below the surface (in some geologic conditions water levels will drop in drought conditions and the pump will need to be placed deep in the well)
• Distance and elevation of the home above the well

Most home-well pumps, unless used to irrigate gardens or paddocks, will only be used for a few minutes at a time or perhaps an hour or two each day. These days, many contractors can either provide a complete well-to-faucet water system or they will refer you to trusted specialists. There are often consumer advantages in purchasing a system from a single contractor. When you buy a complete installation, you are in effect giving the contractor the responsibility for your home water supply. If there is ever a problem, you just need to make one phone call.

If your drilling contractor does not sell or install pumps, he may arrange to sub-contract the work to a dependable pump installation specialist. All technical water well installation work, including wiring and plumbing should be performed by licensed contractors who will guarantee their work and render quick service when needed. If you need to save money, do such work as trenching, etc., yourself, but don't sacrifice quality and efficiency. For example, using an oversize or undersize pump, however cheaply you were able to buy it, will not be as efficient in water production, energy cost or reliability, than installing the correct pump, wiring and tank for the job.

Testing Water Quality for Health and Safety

All new wells should be tested for bacteria and nitrate. In deciding whether or not water conditioning equipment is needed, tests should be made for acidity (pH), hardness and iron. Many laboratories offer a home-owner package-deal for water analyses. In addition to checking health aspects for human use, remember that some garden plants have very specific water quality tolerances.

How Much Will a Well Cost?

Some contractors may offer a fixed price. Others will charge according to the depth drilled and the materials used. Wells of the same size in the same locality usually do not vary much in cost. You can obtain a rough estimate of drilling costs in your area by consulting neighboring well owners or local contractors. The total cost of installing a well and water system is often itemized in estimates as follows:

• Cost of permits
• Mobilization cost
• Drilling, cost per foot (will vary with diameter, some drilling costs may increase with increased depth)
• Casing, cost per foot (depends on type used)
• Cost of other materials (such as, screens, seals, etc.)
• Grouting, cementing (often included in drilling cost)
• Developing (usually based on a per hour charge)
• Test pumping (usually based on a per hour charge)
• Pumping equipment, pipes, valves, controls etc. (the cost of bringing electric power to the well head is not usually included)
• Water quality laboratory analysis
• Water treatment, conditioning equipment such as a softener (this part of the water system is often quoted separately, after the water quality has been analyzed).

No ground water contractor wants to drill a "dry" hole, but when dealing with subsurface geology, it is difficult to guarantee finding water or to predict its quantity and quality. Consumers should keep in close touch with the contractor during the drilling process so that they are available to discuss matters such as the need for extra depth to increase yield or well storage.

*This information section has been provided courtesy of the American Ground Water Trust. This information is copyrighted and reproduction or distribution is prohibited without the express consent of the American Ground Water Trust.