Digging a Well – How To, Regulations and Permits

Digging a well yourself may seem daunting, but it’s achievable with the right know-how.

Before starting, learn how to dig efficiently and check regulations—rules vary by location, and well digging may not be allowed everywhere.

This guide will equip you with the skills and knowledge to dig a well and navigate any regulatory restrictions in your area.

Key Takeaways

• Digging a well is challenging and best left to professionals, but it can be done if you learn the proper techniques and your soil and groundwater conditions are favorable.
• Before digging a well, understand its capabilities and ensure that your state and local regulations permit it.
• Well digging is an expensive project, so make sure to evaluate all factors that impact the cost to ensure it’s a worthwhile investment.

Digging a Well Guide

Digging a well generally refers to creating a borehole for a private water source.

There are three main types of wells based on the digging technique:

• Dug/Bored well
• Drilled well
• Driven well

Before you learn how to dig each type in your backyard, it’s important to understand some specific considerations for this project.

5 Things to Know Before Starting Well Digging

Before you put in a private well, it’s essential to ensure it meets your expectations and won’t become a futile investment. 

Here are five key considerations:

1. Water Needs: Assess how much water the well can provide and be aware that wells can sometimes dry out.
2. Water Quality: Test the water quality initially, using a contractor or testing kit (around $25), especially if you plan to dig a well for drinking water.
3. Well Protection: Prevent groundwater contamination by avoiding pesticides and using a well cap to block debris and animals.
4. Pump Installation: A pump is needed unless you plan to use a bucket, which will add to your electricity costs.
5. Complexity: Digging and putting a water well in place is complex and requires careful planning, excavation, and safety measures.

Digging Water Wells by Hand

Digging water wells by hand is mostly used in rural areas and locations without rocky soil. 

Hand-digging a well for water is a low-tech and inexpensive solution for accessing higher-positioned groundwater or aquifers.

Here’s a brief guide on how to do it:

1. Dig a Hole

• Dig a hole about four feet deep.
• Install shutters (linings) that extend six inches above ground level to prevent the edges from falling.

2. Ensure Vertical Alignment 

• Use plumbing rods with a crosspiece to ensure the hole is vertically straight.

3. Initial Digging 

• Dig the first lift to about 15 feet, keeping the shutters in place to maintain the shape.

4. Reinforcement

• Set a form at the bottom and push reinforcing rods into the earth.
• Add a second set of shutters and fill the space behind with concrete mixed in a 5:2.5:1 ratio of gravel, sand, and cement.

5. Curb and Additional Shutters

• Create a curb to support the structure and add additional shutters, filling with concrete.
• Continue adding shutters and concrete until the top is six inches above ground.

6. Reaching the Aquifer

• Repeat the process, adding more sections, until the aquifer is reached.
• Use precast caisson rings for the final sections to allow water entry.
• Apply sealant around the joints to ensure proper sealing.

7. Final Adjustments

• Ensure the space between the lining and caisson is not filled with cement to allow settling (shoring may also be needed to prevent collapse during the final stages of construction).

This step-by-step process ensures a well is constructed to meet structural and water quality standards.

The same goes for drilling wells by hand, except in that case you’re using hand techniques like augering, sludging, jetting, driving, and hand percussion.

However, digging shallow wells (or drilling) yourself is generally not recommended due to the labor, safety risks, and a higher chance of water contamination in shallow wells.

In any case, the key prerequisite is to identify the best location to access groundwater.

How to Know Where to Dig to Find a Well on Your Property

Selecting the right spot for a well is essential for saving time and money and ensuring the well is effective and durable. 

For optimal site selection, consider both environmental and cultural factors:

Environmental Factors:

• Geology: Take a geological survey to research the land’s characteristics and identify potential water-producing areas.
• Surface Waters: Avoid areas near rivers, streams, or ponds due to possible contamination.
• Flooded Areas: Steer clear of locations prone to flooding, which can lead to contaminated soil and water.
• Waste: Avoid sites near concentrations of human or animal waste.
• Industrial Facilities: Keep the water well away from garbage dumps or industrial sites to prevent exposure to harmful chemicals.

Cultural Factors:

• Site: Place the water well close to your home for better water access and hygiene.
• Proximity to Existing Wells: Ensure sufficient distance from other wells to avoid competition for water.

Furthermore, these aspects consider site accessibility and weather conditions as well.

Once you’ve identified the best location, check state and local regulations to confirm that well drilling is allowed in your area.

Is it Legal to Dig a Water Well?

The legality of digging a water well depends on state and local regulations, as water availability and rules vary by region.

Failure to comply with these regulations may lead to building code violations, resulting in fines or an order to close the well.

Understanding both state and local regulations is crucial for avoiding legal issues and ensuring your well is legal and compliant.

State Regulations on Digging a Well for Water

It’s important to know that groundwater rights are different from rainwater and surface water regulations. 

Most states usually adhere to one or more of these common groundwater doctrines:

• Absolute Dominion – Allows property owners to extract as much water from the aquifer as they want. It is the least restrictive of all groundwater doctrines.
• Reasonable Use – Permits you to drill your own water well but requires that you use the water reasonably, ensuring your neighbors have equal access to the aquifer. It is applied in states like Arizona, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.
• Prior Appropriation – It grants primary rights to groundwater to the first person who uses the water source. This doctrine is followed in states such as Wyoming, Nevada, and Alaska.
• Correlative Rights – Extends well-drilling laws beyond property lines, allowing landowners to have shared access to the aquifer both directly above and nearby. It is common in areas with scarce groundwater, such as Arkansas, California, and Oklahoma.
• Restatement of Torts – Permits property owners to use groundwater reasonably and for beneficial purposes without liability, provided they do not exceed their fair share. This doctrine is applied in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Therefore, before you start digging a well for water, reach out to local well pump companies to understand how these doctrines might impact your plan.

Local Regulations on Well Digging

In addition to state regulations, local rules govern well drilling permits, DIY approaches, well quality testing, etc.

These regulations vary by location, so always check with state, county, and city departments for laws on well depth, size, shape, and other factors. 

For these specific local rules, you can visit the National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) website and consult affiliate organizations [1].

Water Rights

In some states, like those that follow the doctrines of Absolute Dominion or Prior Appropriation, you would probably have to purchase water rights before drilling your own well.

Licenses for Digging Wells for Water

Some states require a licensed professional to dig a well on your property. However, in states like Arizona, you can dig a well for a house yourself as long as it doesn’t exceed certain dimensions or water volume.

Permits to Dig a Well for Water

You will likely need a permit to dig a well on your property. 

A permit ensures your project complies with local requirements, such as well type, depth, and intended water usage. Additionally, in some areas, you may need extra permits, like a zoning permit.

Nevertheless, it’s important to avoid building without a permit and to meet permit requirements, as failing to do so can result in fines, project delays, having the well sealed, or even more serious consequences.

Necessary Testing

In certain counties and states, like Vermont, private well owners may be required to examine their groundwater to confirm it is safe and suitable for drinking.

In the table below, you can see water well regulations from some states.

Financial Considerations of Well-Digging

Well digging can be costly when you factor in all associated expenses. 

Key costs to consider include:

• Pipes (casing installation), well screen, and gravel packing
• Pumps
• Electrical connections
• Permit fees
• Pressure tank
• Landscape restoration
• Contractor fees (unless you choose to do it yourself)

Given these variables, thorough planning and anticipating every potential expense are crucial. 

To assist you with this, we conducted research detailing the financial aspects of each factor related to well digging in our article, Cost of Drilling a Well.

Well Drilling FAQs

Discovering Property Secrets with Water Well Digging

Digging a water well yourself can be a viable option if you’re living off the grid and the water table level is high.

In every other situation, using machinery or hiring professionals is a more practical and logical choice. 

While it may increase the cost of your project, it can save you from labor, safety concerns, and potential complications.

However, if you choose to undertake the project on your own, ensure that you complete permit acquisition and carefully consider all the factors discussed in this article to fully prepare for the challenges ahead.

References:

1. https://www.ngwa.org/connect-with-your-state/Affiliate-Organization-Contact