Water is a necessity for everything that is living on the planet. Without it, humans will not survive. In rural places or areas that do not have access to clean and safe water, wells are a very valuable invention that has provided many places with water that is safe for consumption.
If you have other options, you may be having doubts if a well is truly worth the time, money, and effort. After all, digging a well may take a couple of days and sometimes even weeks, depending on the difficulty of the place and if there are any aquifers in your location.
Will digging a well be worth the resources spent?
Wells are not magically perfect, which means, owning a well does not totally mean that there are no disadvantages that come with it. After all, there is a possibility of drinking contaminated water and other issues that well owners sometimes encounter. Having a well can also be problematic when there are power outages and you do not own a generator.
Having a well dug needs attention, money, and care, however, we can tell you that the advantages that come with owning a well will definitely outweigh the negatives. After all, who would not want a private water supply that they could use for whatever purpose they need?
Digging a well will definitely be worth the resources you have spent, as it will also lower the bills you have to pay every month. When you have a well, that is one less utility bill that needs to be paid. You and your family can also be sure to have a clean and safe water, as long as the well was properly built and maintained.
What should you know before digging a well?
Before having a well dug on your property, it is important to know about the necessary information we have compiled below. This will hopefully help you save money and time and will also help you manage your expectations in the procedure.
- There is more to the procedure than just digging.
The process of installing a well does not immediately mean that a contractor will just go into your place and randomly start to dig a well in a certain area of your property.
Before digging the well, contractors would do an inspection around your area and see whether it would be possible to have a well dug. Not all locations can have wells, especially when the area is near to a septic system or contains huge amounts of waste.
- There are certain regulations and codes in every city.
Depending on the area where you live, there are certain codes and regulations you will have to follow. For example, if you live in North Carolina, there are safety codes that must be met such as the minimum depth and width of your well and how far it would need to be from sewers and buildings. Some cities require owners to get a permit before getting any work done, even if it is on their private property. This is done so that the city can be sure that you are doing the digging properly and that the well supply of other residents will not be affected and contaminated.
- Having a well dug can be expensive.
When you are having well dug, contractors usually charge per square meter, which can be around $10 to $25 per square foot. There are also factors that would affect how much you will have to pay. For example, if your area has soil that is difficult to dig, the procedure will also be more expensive.
- There is no need to stick to the old ways.
In the present, gone are the days when you have to manually scoop water by the buckets. It is now possible for the water to be transported inside your home’s faucets, just like getting water from the city. This is done by having a well pump installed, which pumps the water into your piping system, making it convenient for use.
- You will need to order a water test.
You may have heard that water from wells is safe and clean, however, that does not mean that it is naturally clean all the time. Depending on your area, there may be some contamination that comes from microorganisms, metals, and other contaminants. To make sure that the water will be safe to consume, you will need to order a water test. This will help you determine if there are some things you need to do, like getting your water treated, before using it for your daily needs.
- You should know how much water you need.
Before having a well dug, it will be helpful to know how much water your household commonly uses. This is because it is totally possible for a well to not produce enough water for your needs. To make sure that the water will be enough for your usage, tell your contractor about your water consumption so that they can adjust the plans for your well. Most wells yield 1.5 gallons per foot, and if this is not enough, your contractor may have to dig deeper until they find an aquifer supply that will be sufficient for the household.
- It can be illegal to dig a well on your own.
As mentioned above, every city and area in the United States have their own regulations when it comes to wells. In many areas, it can be illegal to dig a well by yourself without a professional. This is because there is the possibility of contaminating other wells and also you can damage the pipe system of the city. To avoid this, it would be best to seek a local contractor to get the job done properly.