Planning your new well

Questions to think about and that your contractor will ask you.

Where on your property should the new well be drilled?

Questions to ask well drilling contractors when getting estimates

Questions to think about and that your contractor will ask you.

• What is the intended use of your new well system?
  Well systems should be designed for their intended use. A professional contractor should ask how you intend to use your well.
• Is the well going to be used for household use only?
• Will the well be used for irrigation?
• Is the irrigation system in place or will it be installed after the well?
• How many GPM (gallons per minute) does your irrigation system use?
• Are there any high volume showers in the house or Jacuzzi Baths?
• Will the well system be running a Geothermal heat pump?
• Will you be watering cattle or livestock?

Good contractors will ask these questions and help you through the answers so that your well system fits your needs and is able to deliver the proper amount of water for your application.

Back to top.

Where on your property should the new well be drilled?

Your new well casing will stick up above ground a minimum of 12” (per state code) CWP recommends leaving the well head a few inches higher to compensate for the building up of sod and debris on the ground.

The new well should be placed to allow it to be serviced during all seasons and with consideration given to damage that may be done to lawns and landscaping during construction and future service.

Both household and irrigation wells must also meet isolation distances set forth in the Michigan Well Construction code, and meet local codes and deed restrictions. Some of the basic isolation distances for residential house and irrigation wells are: (Note these distances may be increased by Local Health Departments):

• 3’ from any structure (including but not limited to eves on house, decks or buildings)
• 50’ from any septic system (tanks , drainfields, blocktrenches)
• 50’ from any animal or poultry yards
• 50’ from sewage lift pumps or sump pumps
• 10’ from municipal sewer lines
• 10’ from exsisting or abandoned wells

Questions to ask well drilling contractors when getting estimates

Do you have the proper registration (license) to perform well system instillation and or service?

Any individual working on you water system including irrigation wells; should be registered or a representative of a registered water well drilling contractor or a registered pump installer. This individual should be able to provide you with a registration card or number upon request. Working with a registered contractor will help ensure work is performed up to state code and protect ground water resources.

Back to top.