Digging your own water well is an excellent way to guarantee a supply of water to your home for many decades. You won’t have to rely on the grid and the quality might even be better than what you’d get out of the local water supply. And although it’s not too difficult to dig a water well, that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea.
You can usually drill for water anywhere in the US and in many other parts of the world. But even if it’s possible, drilling for water isn’t always easy, cheap, or advisable. You’ll need to consider the depth of the water table, the type of soil, pollutants, and local regulations.
In this article, I’ll explain whether you can actually dig for water anywhere and provide some tips on finding the best spot to drill. Let’s get started!
Where Can You Drill for Water?
The short answer to this question is “anywhere”, but there are a few caveats.
There is water under the ground in most parts of the world.
This water usually doesn’t take the form of underground rivers or lakes. Instead, it sits within the spaces and cracks of the earth.
You can technically just dig until you find water, but the best place to dig a well is into an aquifer.
An aquifer is a deposit of permeable rock that holds groundwater.
Some ground features, such as lakes, swamps, seeps, and springs, indicate that there’s groundwater nearby.
Groundwater is also easier to find in lowlands, while it’s much more difficult to access in deserts—in some arid places, there isn’t any at all.
But even in the driest deserts, seeing plants that need a lot of moisture often signals the presence of groundwater.
Why It’s Not Always a Good Idea to Drill for Water
There are a few factors that will determine whether digging for water is a good idea or not.
The first hurdle is the depth of the water table. You’ll find the usable water for your well below the water table.
The water table is the uppermost level of groundwater—the level at which the ground is saturated with water.
The depth of the water table varies depending on the location, but it is usually within a few hundred feet of the surface.
The type of soil also plays a role in finding water.
Soil that is sandy or has a high clay content is more likely to allow water to seep through.
This means that the water table is closer to the surface, so you’re more likely to find water if you drill in these types of soils.
Pollutants can also affect your ability to find water.
If the water table is contaminated with pollutants, you may not be able to use the water even if you do find it.
Local regulations can also impact your ability to drill for water.
In some areas, drilling is regulated or even prohibited. Be sure to check with your local authorities before you start drilling.
Finding the Best Place To Drill
When it comes to finding the best place to drill, there are a few things you’ll need to consider:
- You need to find an area where the water table is close to the surface. This will make it easier and cheaper to drill.
- The area should ideally have sandy or high clay content soil. This type of soil is more likely to allow water to seep through.
- The area shouldn’t be contaminated with pollutants.
To do this, you’ll need to do some research.
You can talk to your local authorities, look at maps, and talk to people who have already drilled in the area.
If you have the chance, it’s best to talk to a hydrologist before committing to a site.
With a little bit of effort, you should be able to find a good spot to drill.
How to Drill a Water Well
Once you’ve found a good spot to drill, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow to actually drill the well:
- Obtain the proper permits. In some areas, this is a simple process. In others, it may be more complicated. For example, you’ll likely need a permit if you’re drilling on public land. Be sure to check with your local authorities before starting the drilling process.
- Find a water source. This can be a spring, a river, or even the municipal water supply. Once you’ve found a water source, you’ll need to test it for quality. You don’t want to drill a well only to find out that the water in that area isn’t potable.
- Clear the area where you’ll be drilling. This includes removing any vegetation or debris that might get in the way.
- Start drilling. In general, you’ll use a hand auger if you’re dealing with shallow wells and sandy soils. A power auger can be used for deeper wells and harder soils. A jetting system is typically used for very deep wells or extremely hard soils.
- Install a casing. This is a pipe that goes down the center of the well. The casing protects the well from collapse and keeps contaminants out.
- Seal the well and install a pump. This will allow you to draw water from the well. Sealing can be done with concrete, grout, or even bentonite clay.
If you’re building a new property, it’s strongly advised to dig the well before you begin any construction.
You can still do it afterward, but it’s more of a hassle.
The Bottom Line
Overall, drilling for water is a complicated process. There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before you start drilling.
These include:
- The water table
- The type of soil
- Pollutants
- Local regulations
If you’re thinking about drilling a well, be sure to do your research ahead of time.
Talk to your local authorities, look at maps, and talk to people who have already drilled in the area.
With a little bit of effort, you should be able to find a good spot to drill.
Cheers, tools owners!
