A water well can be an important source of water at home as investing on a well can offer self-sufficiency when speaking of water supply. In fact, not only water wells are drilled in rural areas but as well as most urban areas today in the quest of a cheaper water supply.
However, the main problem with drilling a well is its cost. The price can really go much more than what you have expected. However, the cost of drilling a well can be paid for the water well itself in the years to come. Hence, drilling a water well is still a practical idea. Learn how much it will cost you to drill a well in your backyard.
The Typical Cost Of Drilling A Well
The average cost of drilling a well is $12 per foot. And since water tables are usually down at 100 feet, the usual cost of drilling a water well is $1,200.
This price estimates include hiring a contractor for site preparation and drilling purposes. The cost of equipment rental is also included in the estimate.
Factors That May Affect The Cost Of Drilling A Well
Depth. Of course, the deeper you dig into the ground, the more expensive the water well will be. Some shallow wells that are around 25 feet in depth or less can be drilled for less than $200. This is true because it requires less time and labor to drill shallow wells. Plus, shallow wells can be done even without the help of professionals. However, there are some wells that can go as high as $5,000 to $10,000 to drill. These wells are usually 400 feet deep or more into the ground.
Ground. Not all types of ground can be easily drilled. Solid rock grounds are usually harder to drill as compared to clay or sand grounds. Hence, expect the cost to drill a well to be more expensive on solid rock grounds.
Approach. Hiring a contractor is basically one of the most practical ways to have a well drilled. Your choice of contractor affects the cost of the project because some contractors can price their services higher or lower depending on the location, competition, experience, and reputation. Others who want to do the drilling themselves usually face lower costs when drilling a well. However, they have to consider the purchase or rental of equipment to use for the project.
Additional Costs When Drilling A Well
There are times that you may need a casing to go together with the well. Casing is an important component in water wells because it works to prevent the bedrock from caving into the well. It also blocks contaminants in entering the water well. Casing usually will cost you $12.50 per foot extra. The price, however, varies depending on your choice of material.
A good well head is necessary for the water well. This is usually an extra cost of around $100.
You may need to consider adding accessories to your well to make it more functional. For really deep wells, the installation of a pump is necessary. A pump, however, costs $350 to $600 extra. Other things you may need include couplings, fittings, and line piping.
For those doing the well themselves, renting or purchasing equipment is an extra cost.
There are some states that will require you to get permits for drilling a well. Prices vary from one state to another or one city to another. In line with permits, you may be required to pay testing and registration fees as well.
Expect to spend additional $3,000 to $20,000 if you aim to convert the well into complete water system.
Why Drill A Water Well?
Are you having second thoughts about drilling a well in the first place? These benefits of a well may help you decide whether or not to go through with the idea:
- Save money. This is the best benefit out of drilling a well. Whether or not you have drinkable water well, you can definitely save a lot of money in the long run as compared to buying one from a public utility.
- Better taste. Potable water found in a backyard well is known to have a better taste as compared to water you get from a municipal water supply. This is true because water from public utilities is often treated with chemicals to be drinkable. The chemicals and the treatment usually have a big impact on the taste of the water.
- Purely natural. Water from your own well is all natural. Meaning, there are no doubts that it is treated or recycled.
- Environment-friendly. You are actually doing something for the environment when you drill your own well. You don’t have to be one of the millions to get a supply from a facility that uses a lot of energy in filtering and cleaning water for everyday use.
- No limits. With your own water supply, there are no limits as to how you want to use water. In some areas, watering the lawn is usually prohibited during hot months when water supply is low. But with your own water supply, you get to do what you want and control your very own water usage.
- Assurance. A lot of areas are facing water shortage problems already. If you drill a well, you basically do not have to worry about water supply shortage in your area.
Tips Before You Decide To Drill A Well In Your Backyard
Check with the rules and regulations of your area to see whether or not you are allowed to build a well. Get all the necessary permits before you start digging. There are some local ordinances and codes that can prohibit you to drill a well in your yard. In some cases, underground wires and sewer lines can also prohibit you from drilling a well.
Know how deep the water table is in the area. In some areas, the water table is just around 20 to 25 feet below the surface. However, other areas may have a water table that is 100 feet deep. Check with the state’s geological survey about this very important fact. However, if you hire a qualified contractor in your area, expect them to already know this thing.
Not all wells can be done in a DIY manner. More often than not, the quality of the soil will decide whether or not you need to hire a professional for the job. If the ground is a soft red clay, silt, or sandy soil, it is a job you can do yourself. On the other hand, very rocky, solid granite, and hard-packed clay grounds are very difficult to work on so the help of a professional is more than necessary.
Always deal with licensed and qualified well drilling contractors in your area. A very experienced and knowledgeable contractor in your area will help make every step of the project a success. Good contractors know what permits to get, what the water table is in your area, and a lot of other information necessary for a successful well drilling project.