Irrigation—whether it's for crops or landscaping—requires a lot of water. Many property owners find it more efficient to install a separate irrigation well than to water lawns and crops from their drinking water well. If you are considering this solution, below are answers to some of the most common questions about water well installation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Irrigation Well Installation

What is an irrigation well?

An irrigation well is like a traditional drinking water well, except the water it extracts does not enter the home. Instead, it feeds a sprinkler or irrigation system and is used to water crops, irrigate orchards, and keep lawns lush and green. The well pump is usually housed near the well, often in a well house. Submersible pumps are housed inside the well itself below the waterline.

How deep is an irrigation well?

The well depth depends on the location of the groundwater in your area. Shallow wells penetrate 50 feet or fewer below ground. Deep wells, on the other hand, may have to pass through bedrock to reach the aquifer and can be hundreds of feet deep.

Where should you locate an irrigation well?

It's best to locate a well on high ground to avoid accumulating rainwater, which can contain fertilizer and other contaminants. To prevent other types of contamination, keep it well away from livestock barns, fuel storage depots, and fertilizer or manure storage areas. Also, make sure it isn't located near a river or lake that's known to flood.

Is an irrigation well environmentally harmful?

No. The water used to water your property is minimal compared to the uses made of industrial or highly concentrated housing wells. Moreover, it is not piped away from the property, chlorinated, or otherwise tampered with, but is instead returned to the ground nearby, where any remaining moisture can filter back to the aquifer. It has little or no negative environmental impact.

If you need reliable, affordable water well installation, contact Edgar & Jerry Hughes Well Drilling Enterprise, the premier drilling contractor in Bellwood, AL. They have provided water well services to customers throughout Geneva County for more than 40 years. They offer drilling and well repair as well as sump pump installation and service. Visit their website to learn more about them or call (334) 347-1147 to arrange well installation service.