Determining Necessary Well Depth
When it comes to a well, you want to make sure it’s deep enough for the water you need. How do you know what depth is best? The answer depends on several factors, such as the type of water you need and where you’re located. Beneath are some general guidelines for your system’s well depth.
If You Need Potable Water
If you need potable water, the minimum recommended well depth is 100 feet (30 meters) below ground level. This is usually the case with a private well system. This will ensure that the water you drink is safe from contamination, and that you have plenty of it.
A well that goes any shallower is more susceptible to common water contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It’s also more likely to run low or dry out during the summer months when demand is high.
If You Need Non-Potable Water
If you need non-potable water, such as for irrigation or livestock, the minimum recommended well depth is 50 feet (15 meters) below ground level. This is usually the case with a public or community water system. In this scenario, often people are able to get by with less depth if they use a pump that pulls from just below the surface of the soil.
However, if you are building a home or other structure on top of the well and want to use the water for drinking or cooking purposes, you’ll need to dig deeper. You can also consider drilling multiple wells in order to access different depths.
If Your Water Table is Deep
In some cases, locations might suffer from a deeper water table, which can make water drilling more complicated. In this situation, you’ll need to dig deeper in order to access the water. This might mean that you have to purchase a more powerful pump or add more depth to your well.
If You’re Using an Existing Well
If you are considering using a well that is currently in use, make sure to contact the owner and find out how deep they’ve drilled. This will give you an idea of what kind of depth you need to reach and where your water source might be located.
If you’re hoping to use an existing well, be aware that it won’t necessarily be in a convenient location. You may need to dig your own well or drill down into the existing one in order to access water.
Water Quality Considerations for Well Depth
When you’re choosing a location for your home, it’s important to consider the quality of the water available. If there are any nearby industrial facilities or other polluters that could contaminate your well, it’s best to look somewhere else. You may also want to stay away from septic systems, which can leak into groundwater. If you have access to a water test kit from a hardware store or online retailer like Amazon, you can test the quality of water in the area for free.
In this case, and your water is decent, contact a professional drilling team, like ours at Accurate Drilling Solutions for all your needs.
