A private water well is a reliable source of fresh, clean drinking water, but before you install one, there are a few necessary steps to ensure its longevity and safety. Soil type, position, and family size can all affect the type of well you’ll need to install. To make sure you have the right fit, consider the following as you schedule well installation.

3 Tips for Water Well Planning

1. Choose a Well Type

The type of well you need will depend largely on the soil composition that you’re drilling or driving the well into. In areas where groundwater lies near the surface, a bored or dug well is excavated with an auger then bolstered along the walls with concrete to ensure the well doesn’t collapse.

In sandy soil that’s at risk of collapse, a pipe may be driven into the ground with hydraulics, allowing you to access shallow groundwater. For deeper aquifers, a drilled well can reach up to 1,000 feet below the ground.

2. Determine Your Water Use

Do you plan on growing crops or raising livestock? Are you hoping to start a large family? Thinking about installing a swimming pool? All these factors can impact your water usage and well capacity needs. These are measured with three factors—well size, static level, and flow rate.

The well size dictates how much water the well can hold. The static level measures how much water is available when the pump isn’t running. Finally, flow rate determines how many sources can draw water at once. Talk with your well installation contractor to figure out how much water your household will need.

3. Choose a Location

To prevent cross-contamination, it’s important to choose a suitable location for your well. If you also have a septic system for disposing of wastewater, the well should follow your state’s regulations for minimum distance from the tank and drain field. Wells should also not be placed near the bottom of heavy slopes, as rainwater runoff can increase the likelihood of contamination.

The team at Gainous Well Drilling is proud to serve the population of Cairo, GA, with well installation, maintenance, and repair. With more than half a century of combined experience, this family-owned and -operated company will help source water for your home, business, or agricultural irrigation system. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (229) 377-7883 for a project estimate.