Choosing a spot for a water well is relative to the area in which you live. Water wells must be easy to access, away from septic tanks, and clear from natural water sources. Natural water sources are classified as streams, rivers, and ponds. To choose a spot for your water well, consider any regulations, costs, needs, and boundaries you may face.
The Best Site for a Water Well
The best site for a water well is where you want to place it. Ideally, this is 40 to 50 feet from any natural water source, 5 to 10 feet from your home, and 25 meters from a septic tank. In addition, the well should be in a place that will allow the water to recover, and is easy to access.
Away from Natural Water Sources
Your water well should remain far from natural water sources due to their ability to contaminate the water. Pollutants and debris are common issues that surface water faces. If ground water is close enough to this, there is the possibility of contamination.
Close to Home for Easy Access
Having a water well that is 5 to 10 feet from your home allows for easy access. In addition, it is easier to provide water amenities that are desired. For example, a well that is placed 25 feet from your home, will require 25 feet of additional piping to reach your home. Obviously, there are areas where a water well within 10 feet of your home is not ideal. In these cases, do your best to keep the well in an area that can be accessed. Water wells may need maintenance, repair, decommissioning.
Far from Septic Tanks
There are restrictions on digging water wells close to a septic tank. Water well’s must be at least 25 meters from a septic tank. The reason for this is, again, is to prevent contamination.
Middle Ground Elevation
When considering elevation and water wells, a higher elevation is not beneficial for recover rate of a well. However high elevation will allow for a decrease in contamination possibility. Experts recommend tapping in at the “middle ground.” To visualize, imagine a slope. The top is high elevation, the bottom is low elevation, you want to dig in the middle. Another way to determine where the best place on your water well would be, is to use a topographical map of your property. By using this tool, you will be able to see the low spots and the high spots in your land.
Regulations and Permits for Texas
According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, wells may only be drilled and installed by licensed water well drillers and water well pump installers. However, there are some areas where a permit is not required. Contact your local city ordinance for specific regulations to your area.
Do I own my Groundwater?
In Texas, Water Code Section 36.002 states that landowners own the water beneath their property and may use it as they see fit. This correlates with the Rule of Capture.
Rule of Capture
The Rule of Capture states that due to the landowner owning the groundwater under their property, they also have the right to pump as much water as they wish.
Under this rule, the landowner also does not need a permit to drill a well and pump. However, there is a legislative exemption that was enacted in 1917. Texas Water Code Section 36.0015 allows Groundwater Conservation Districts to regulate the drilling of wells, metering, and limitations on the amount of water that may be withdrawn in the area. To find out if you are part of one of these districts, visit https://www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/conservation_districts/index.asp
Depth of Water and Quality
How Deep Does my Well Need to Be?
In general, a residential water well will need to be 100 to 800 feet deep depending on water table. The deeper the water well, the more minerals will be present. For drinking water, 100 feet is considered the minimum safe digging distance.
City Water vs. Well Water
City water is treated chemically with chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals to ensure safety. Run-off water, typically where city water supply is pulled from, may contain pollutants and debris from the topsoil.
Well water does not naturally contain chemicals and will contain minerals and nutrients from the aquifer underground. Groundwater tends to be cleaner due to running underground away from air pollutants and loose debris.
Cost of Digging a Water Well
Contractors estimate the cost of digging a well to be $15 to $60 per foot. The cost is dependent on terrain, season, and several other factors. Digging a well on your own is cheaper but will be much shallower than a contracted dig.
Is Building a Water Well Cheaper than Using City Water?
Building a well has one initial cost. The cost of the dig, materials, and labor needed. Once a well is installed, water can be readily available for 20 to 50 years at no charge.
City water is priced at a rate based on the cities guidelines and may be subject to change depending on local ordinances and supply.
Overall, building a well is cheaper than using city water in the long term. Consider the length of time you plan to spend on your property, and if water is already available to you when deciding on a water well.
How do I Check Where My Water Table is?
In Texas, there are resources like the Texas Water Development Board Water Data Interactive Groundwater Data Viewer to help locate the water table in your area. Found on the www.twdb.texas.gov website. There are also well records that are available.
Other systems include the GPR system, or Ground Penetrating Radar. A real-time non-destructive testing technique that uses high frequency radio waves, yielding data with very high resolution in a short amount of time. However, this can be expensive and starts around $14,000 for a simple system.
For a cheaper option, some homesteaders believe in using coat hangers or thin wire rods that are bent into an “L” shape. Allowing the long end of the rods to swing freely, by using drinking straws as handles, can show direction of water movement beneath the ground in a shallow well.
Capacity and Flow Rate
When choosing a spot for a water well, consider the capacity and flow rate of the groundwater available to you. Local well diggers will have great insight into what you may have available to you.
The ideal flow rate is anywhere from 6 to 12 gallons per minute or higher if housing a larger family or there are high water demands. The average American household will go through about 100 to 120 gallons of water per person per day. Some common water uses are:
- Toilet Flush: 1.6 gallons
- Shower: 17 gallons
- Dishwasher: 4 gallons
- Washing Machine: 19 gallons
- Drinking water: ½ gallon per person or more
If using a water well for livestock and gardening, even more water will be used.
- A dozen chickens: 1 gallon per day
- One goat: 2 gallons per day
- 32 sqft. garden: 20 gallons of water per week
Purpose of a Well, and Why you Want One
A water well is a reliable and ample supply of water for home use, irrigation and more. With a water well, you own the water and are free to use as much as needed for any project.
You may want a water well to save on cost, and to have water readily available when you need it. The cost is only the initial cost to place the well and from then on it is free until it dries up or needs repair. Another reason to have a spot for a water well is that the water is fresh and free of chemicals and softeners. From a gardening perspective, chemical free water allows for vegetable gardens to receive natural minerals found in the aquifers which may require fewer amendments to the soil.
How Long Does a Water Well Last?
The average water well will last 30 to 50 years if well maintained. Water wells should be serviced annually with a bacterial test or more regularly if sulfur or iron is more readily in your water. You can obtain a free water test in your area by visiting your local hardware stores or ordering one online in the mail.
You will need a new well or well repair if you have a loss in water pressure, hear loud noises, air is spitting from faucets, the well water smells bad or is coming out dirty. Often, water wells will run dry if neighbors are tapped into the same water table. In this scenario, the well can be dug deeper or dug in a new area for water.
Contracting a Dig or Digging it Yourself
In general, contracting a a spot for a water well or digging one yourself will be determined by depth, and area for digging a well. For instance, if the area is very rocky, a contractor with a drill pipe will be beneficial. If the area is soft, closer to the cost and has a shallow water table, you may be able to dig your own well with an auger and PVC pipe.
This video by OGB, Well Drilling 101 – Every Step Explained, is a great example of a contracted well dig.
When choosing a spot for a water well to dig on your own, visit https://drillyourownwell.com where there are several videos and tips to doing it yourself!
If you are contemplating placing a water well but your land is not ready for a well placement. Check out our article on clearing land here.
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