6 Things To Know About Building A Residential Well

Residential well construction is a significant investment, and it’s important to know what you are getting into. You may encounter many circumstances during building your residential well. This article will guide you in understanding what a residential well is and what to expect when creating one for your property.

6 Things To Know About Building A Residential Well

What is a Residential Well?

A residential well is a water supply system used in homes or businesses. It provides safe drinking water by using an underground spring as its source. The well is drilled down to the groundwater table, where there’s enough pressure to force the water up through pipes. The water then flows out into a storage tank. In some instances of low-producing wells, a water harvesting system such as those from EPP Well Solutions is used to generate a better water supply.

A residential well has five parts:  

• Well casing: The well casing is usually made of steel pipe with a rubber lining inside. The rubber lining prevents corrosion from taking place. 

• Pump: The pump is attached to the top of the well casing and uses electricity to move the water up from the bottom of the well. 

• Well cap: The well cap keeps any contaminants above ground out of the well.
• Pressure tank: It helps store water under pressure to have less strain on the pump.
• Pitless adapter: It is an adapter that seals the well casing and the water supply line or main.

The most common type of residential well uses gravity to pull the water up. These types of wells are cheaper than other pumping methods because they don’t require any power. They also have a much smaller footprint compared to other pumps. Gravity-fed wells are more likely to be found in rural areas where the land is flat and not too hilly.

Here are six considerations before starting a residential well project:

• Type of Groundwater to Use

We classify groundwater according to how deep it is below the surface. If you live in a region that experiences frequent earthquakes, you may want to drill deeper wells. In this case, you should contact a geologist who specializes in groundwater. They can tell you if the area is suitable for drilling a residential well.

According to the Water School, water could be plentiful enough 10 feet under the ground surface. Deep bores may have to be drilled hundreds of feet to reach scarce underground water to fill the spaces between dense rock particles. (1)

• The Total Well Construction Cost

The construction cost of your residential well depends on several factors, including the size of the well, the depth of the well, whether you need to install a pump, and others. For example, well drilling costs USD$25 to USD$65 per foot for drilling only, or an average of USD$3,750 to USD$15,300 for a complete system. (2)

Another factor that affects the cost is the location of the well. Wells located near a road, or a busy street are more expensive to build and maintain.

• Presence of an Existing Well

Another thing you need to consider before building a residential well is an existing well. If they have drilled your property for water, it may be possible that the current well is close to where you want to build your new well.

If you decide to build a new well, make sure that it is far away from the existing well so that no contamination occurs. You may also check with your local municipality about the possibility of connecting your new well to the current water line. Some cities charge fees to connect wells to their lines.

• Land Area For the Buffer Zone

The land area for the buffer zone of your residential well is also one thing to consider. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the distance between a well and an underground tank should be at least 50 meters. (3)

If you plan to have a spa or pool in your backyard, it’s essential to know how close you can dig or drill to the edge of the property line and still have enough space for a pool without encroaching into the neighbor’s yard. 

You should choose a site at least 100 meters away from the nearest house, but preferably 200 meters away. It’ll give you plenty of room for your well and your neighbors. 

It means that no buildings or structures should be within the buffer zone of the well. Buildings and structures such as sheds, fences, trees, etc., can be built around the well but must be at least 50 feet away.

• A Storage Tank

Depending on your home or property’s size, you may need a storage tank. A storage tank is a container that holds water until you need it. It can contain hundreds or thousands of gallons of water.

A storage tank will keep your yard and garden watered for weeks if necessary. You won’t worry about running out of water when you need it because the storage tank has plenty of water stored in it.

You can buy a pre-fabricated storage tank or build your own. Pre-fabricated tanks are usually made of steel, come in different sizes, and can be purchased from any hardware store.

You can also build your storage tank by digging a hole in your backyard and filling it with concrete. The dimensions of this type of tank vary depending on the size of your property.

• The Elevation of the Site

The best way to figure out where a well should be placed is to use a topographic map. Topographical maps show the elevations of various areas. These maps can help you choose the right spot for your residential well. (4)

Once you know where the well should be located, you will need to contact a local contractor who specializes in installing residential wells. This contractor will be able to tell you how long it will take to complete the project.

Once you find a qualified contractor, you can begin installing a residential well.

Final thoughts

While there are many considerations before building a residential well, you shouldn’t let these factors discourage you from doing it.

Building a residential well is an excellent investment that will save you money in the future. If you follow all the steps above carefully, you will have a well-constructed and functional residential well.

 

 

References:

1. “Groundwater Wells,” Source: https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/groundwater-wells
2. “How Much Does It Cost to Drill or Dig a Well?” Source: https://homeguide.com/costs/well-drilling-cost 
3. “Water wells within the 50m buffer zone,” Source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Water-wells-within-the-50m-buffer-zone_fig2_269012307 
4.  Predicting Ground Water Flow, “Source: Https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/mgwc-gwb10.pdf

“Predicting Ground Water Flow,” Source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-08/documents/mgwc-gwb10.pdf