Residential Water Well Drilling: What Is Involved?

Water well drilling is something faced by most home builders, but can also be part of a home renovation process. Whether buying an existing home, building a new home or drilling a new well at your current residence, it is generally recommended to have well water tested as there may be many questions of water quality and safety. In addition to rural homes, water well installation may also be an issue for urban residents, as potential drillers must check with local city regulations regarding homeowner's right to private wells. In most situations, however, questions of time, testing and quality fall to drillers in residential areas.

How Long Does it Take to Install a Well?

Once the homeowner and the well drilling company have determined the best location for the new well, water can be delivered to the home in as little as one day, though in some cases it may take up to four days. While this water is fit for many uses, it is not yet ready for human consumption. In order to determine that water from the new well is fit for drinking, the well drilling company must first take samples of the water back to the lab for testing. This testing will determine if the water contains any contaminants, such as nitrates, bacteria, fertilizers or septic waste. This testing usually takes between 24 and 36 hours and, once complete, will ensure that the well water is safe to drink.

What Testing and Maintenance Must be Done on a New Water Well?

As mentioned, after installation a thorough testing of the water is required. Additionally, water well drillers recommend testing for bacteria once a year for the life of the well. Homeowners are also advised to test the water if there are any sudden changes is water color or taste.

In addition to ensuring water quality and safety, there may be some mechanical maintenance required as well. Water well drilling companies recommend a physical inspection of the well at least every five years for the life of the well, even if the homeowner does not notice any changes in their water quality or water pressure. Routine testing can allow homeowners to catch problems while they are still small and before they have caused any major damage. With regular mechanical inspections, a well can go 15 to 20 years with no major repairs, and some can go as many as 30 years.

Will the New Well Water Need to be Purified?

Even if the well water is determined to be safe for human consumption, many water wells will still need further purification for non-health related issues. For example, in many areas of the country, the soil contains a relatively large amount of iron. Iron levels above 0.3 parts per million (or ppm) can cause excessive staining on toilets and tubs, and coat pipes. Homeowners with sprinkler systems may notice staining on siding, garage doors and landscaping fixtures.

Even when the iron levels are below the 0.3 ppm threshold, most residential water wells will need water purifiers to deal with excessive water "hardness," which describes the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water can cause white, chalky buildup in the dishwasher and on shower doors, and can prevent dish and laundry detergents from working properly. Water purification systems can help reduce the impacts of iron and hard water.