How to find water to drill your home well

Do you wish for a better quality water supply to your household, reduced water bills, and a continuous water supply?

If yes, a home well is just what you need. However, you can’t build a water well with a do-it-yourself water well kit wherever you want. You need to determine the best underground water source to drill a hole and make your home well.

The question is, how can you find underground water for your private well?

Don’t worry; you can find out how here.

The Well’s Water Supply

Wells generally get their water supply from groundwater in aquifers. Aquifers are layers of rocks, soil, and sand saturated with groundwater.

You can also find water near the surface, like water from rain and snow. However, as it doesn’t saturate the soil and rocks much, it is not a good water source for a well. Your hole or pipe won’t be able to extract the water stuck in the soil.

A do-it-yourself water well kit helps you drill below the water table to reach the saturated layer underground. The water table refers to the boundary line dividing the saturated aquifers and the regular soil above it.

On a side note, groundwater flows very slowly, depending on the movement of the soil it seeps through. So, an area could sustain water well for a few decades before drying out.

Finding the Correct Spot to Drill a Well

Some people say that you can dig anywhere to reach the aquifers. While it’s partially true, you should find an ideal spot to draw the correct water type.

You have to look for an aquifer with an ideal depth for a well. Wells generally range between 100 to 500ft deep and could go deeper than 1000ft. As a golden rule, the deeper you go, the better water quality you get.

On the other hand, never draw groundwater from a high water table near the surface. There is an increased risk of contamination at this level, and the groundwater could contain harmful contaminants like industrial chemicals.

You should instead:

Locate Natural Signs

Nature sometimes indicates the ideal water table in particular areas, like:

• There is a higher water table in valleys and lowlands than on a hill or mountain. 
• Surface water sources like streams, lakes, swamps, and puddles indicate sufficient groundwater.
• Abundant water-loving plants show an excellent underground water supply, especially in dry surface areas. However, watch out for contaminants like septic tanks, waste disposal areas, and industrial facilities.

Consult Experts on Land Surveying

Relying on natural indicators alone is not enough to determine the best spot for drilling a well; you need to also consult with the correct experts for accurate details.

These experts use different sciences like geological surveying to determine possible locations and depths of aquifers. They also trace a particular area’s historical information to gather details like the average depth of old wells.

Moreover, they will consider the local mapping of septic systems and utility lines. It helps you avoid damaging the utility lines and keeps you away from contaminants while building a well.

On a side note, never rely on water witching to locate groundwater. While it’s cheap, it only depends on superstitions and doesn’t accurately point you to the correct area. You thus end up drilling in the wrong spot, with more unnecessary hassles and expenses.

Drawing Out the Groundwater to Your Home Well

Your do-it-yourself water well kit must reach below the water table to be able to draw water for a home well. The water in the aquifers flows into the hole or pipe bottom, and the pump directs the water upward to the top of your well.

You may encounter confined aquifers underground covered by layers of impermeable rocks or rocks that cannot absorb water.

In this case, pressure builds up in the confined aquifers as groundwater cannot flow freely. So, water immediately gushes up through your hole once you drill through the rock layer and release the pressure. This is called a flowing artesian well.

Use your do-it-yourself Water Well Kit for Drilling Your Home Well.

While it’s challenging to find an ideal water source for your home well, once done, you can immediately start drilling your well. You will then enjoy the benefits of a private well instead of depending on the public supply.

The good news is that you can use a do-it-yourself water well kit to drill your well without hiring a professional contractor.