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How Does Water Well Drilling Work?

How Does Water Well Drilling Work?

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There are several benefits of private wells. Water from a private well is devoid of disinfectant chemicals that water supply systems around the world add to drinking water. A private well can increase property value and reduce dependency on municipality supply.

How to Prepare for Water Well Drilling?

Before you call a water well service in Santa Rosa to schedule well drilling, try to understand your area’s geology. Carefully inspect different spots, especially the ones close to your neighbor’s well, to determine the areas that are most likely to hold an aquifer.

Conduct a preliminary assessment of the wells and other water sources in the area to determine the depth at which groundwater occurs.

Before the drilling begins, the provider will want to survey your property so they can decide where to put your well. Remove vegetation, such as plants, bushes, and trees, from the site to ensure your provider’s team has unhindered access to different parts of your property.

Obtain necessary permits and create a path for heavy-duty drilling equipment. You will also want to create a debris disposal area. Once the prep work is completed and you have chosen a spot to place your private well, it’s time to drill.

The Well Drilling Process

On drilling day, your drilling crew will arrive with various equipment. Depending on many factors assessed in the preliminary review of your property will determine the equipment the team will bring.

After placing the drilling rig, the crew uses special feet attached to it to ensure it is leveled. The drill tower is raised, and the first drill rod is set to start the drilling process.

Drilling Through Overburden and Bedrock   

The drill rods start by drilling through the overburden. Overburden is the combination of rocks, clay, and dirt that sits above the bedrock. Some overburdens are deeper than others. Depending on the depth of the overburden, the process can take a few hours. The drilling crew adds drill rods every 20 feet till the drill reaches the bedrock.

As the drill rods drill, water, and cutting discharge emerge from the drilled hole. The water from the hole is the water that is being poured directly into it to keep the drill rod lubricated and cool.

The cutting discharge consists of rock, clay, dirt, and other materials removed from the hole. Because of the tremendous amount of pressure utilized to drill, the air pushes discharge and the water out of the hole.

Casing Installation

Next, the crew will advance the casing. The casing extends down through the overburden into the bedrock and helps your well function efficiently. Its purpose is to keep the overburden from seeping into your well and contaminating your water.

Your casing also prevents your well from caving in. It extends a few feet out of the ground so debris and surface water cannot enter the well from above.

Finding Water

The drilling crew will continue to drill past the bedrock, paying special attention to the water coming out of the hole. When groundwater is reached, the water pressure increases significantly. After the well drilling crew encounters groundwater, it continues to drill to ensure your well can produce enough water to meet your household’s water demand.

If your well is drilled into sand or gravel, the crew will want to place a screen guard at the bottom of the casing. A screen guard keeps contaminants such as sand and gravel from seeping into the well while allowing water to enter.

When to Dig a Test Hole?

If you live in a region with a higher water table, your water well contractor may not need specialized drilling equipment. If your area has a low water table, your soil contains silt, or the site contains large rocks, your water well contractor will use specialized drilling tools and equipment.

In some cases, the soil contains a high amount of sand. The drilling machine may pass through, but the sand may shift back in again. In such cases, drilling specialists drill a test hole to determine the right well type.

Pump Installation

After drilling your well, the crew will install a pump designed to push water from a well to a storage tank where it is stored until needed. Your pump ensures that your home and water tank are continually supplied with fresh water. It sits below the water surface but above the bottom of your well.

Before pump installation, the team will thoroughly disinfect your well to ensure your water is safe to drink. Your private water well contractor may recommend a detailed water analysis that can help estimate the number and type of bacteria in your water.

Weeks Drilling & Pump Co. is one of the leading groundwater firms in California. Our team of professionals has years of experience drilling wells of all sizes in the Santa Rosa area. To make an appointment, call (707) 823-3184.