Installing a well is an excellent way to reduce your water bills and enjoy fresh, clean water. Before the contractors arrive, you can accelerate the project and possibly save money by performing some predrilling tasks on your own. Here are three steps homeowners should consider taking before a well installation. 

3 Steps to Prepare a Site for Well Installation

1. Dig a Reserve Pit or Rent a Dumpster

To drill a well, contractors pump a large amount of fluid through the drill bit and up to the surface. When it reaches the surface, the fluid contains drill cuttings such as rock and dirt. Most contractors will dig a reserve pit to store this debris, so it doesn’t pile up on your yard.

If you have digging experience and don’t mind transporting the debris to a landfill and then filling up the pit once the well is drilled, consider creating the pit yourself to expedite the drilling process. As a bonus, since the contractors will have one less service to perform, they may be willing to lower the installation price. If you’d rather not have a reserve pit constructed in your yard (whether you do it yourself or not), rent a dumpster to contain the debris. 

2. Clear Vegetation 

A drilling site that’s crowded with trees and bushes is difficult to navigate. That’s why most contractors remove any unruly vegetation before drilling. However, if you have the necessary equipment and knowledge, getting rid of the vegetation yourself will help the project get completed sooner (and perhaps at a lower price).

3. Build an Access Road

If your drilling site is in a remote area of your property, the contractors will likely need to construct an access road to it so they can easily transport their drilling equipment. As with digging a reserve pit and clearing vegetation, building the road yourself can speed up the well installation and save you money—assuming you have experience and access to the right equipment (most road-building projects require a backhoe loader). Be sure to consult your local construction laws and obtain any necessary building permits first. 

Whether you need a well installation, advice on preparing your drilling site, or a well inspection, contact the team at Edgar & Jerry Hughes Well Drilling Enterprise. For more than 40 years, these well installation specialists have been serving homeowners and businesses throughout Chancellor, AL, and the surrounding areas. Using state-of-the-art equipment, they’ll drill your well with maximum safety and efficiency. To learn more about their services, visit the team online. For a free estimate, call (334) 347-1147.