FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

1How do we get ground water?
In most cases, a water well is needed to reach the aquifer where ground water is found. Most wells are made by drilling into the rock layers using drilling machines to access water deep beneath the surface. Electric pumps are commonly used to raise the water to the surface.
2Do wells go dry?
In short, yes, sometimes a well dries up. It doesn’t happen very often though. If you are experiencing a water shortage with your well, the problem may be as simple as a screen clogged with debris. In rare cases, a well may need to be drilled deeper to reach additional groundwater.
3I have city water. Can I drill a well?
Yes. Davis Drilling digs hundreds of wells a year for customers who are connected to city water.
4How far does a water well need to be from septic?
Many State Departments of Health requires that new septic tanks or human-waste lagoons be installed at least 50 feet from a well. Septic tank drain fields must be at least 100 feet from a well.
5How much room is required to drill my well?
Imagine a 30ft truck that is 9ft wide, The well is drilled where the trailer hitch would be. Additional room may be required on both sides of the rig for the access during the drilling process. Davis Drilling has several sizes of drilling rigs to accommodate different access issues.
6What factors determine the cost of a new well?
The largest factor in determining the cost of a new well is the well depth. This can be tricky, because we will not know the actual well depth of a new well until we drill it. We rely on information on other wells in the area to estimate the depth of a new well.

Other factors that can affect the cost of a well include:
• the type of system (standard or constant pressure).
• the size of tank and horse-power of the pump (we can help you make the best decision for your well).
• the distance of the well from the house
7How long does it take to drill a new well?
In a perfect world, once the permit is received, we are typically able to finish a well in less than a week. This includes drilling, hooking up, and testing the water. However, we cannot guarantee this, especially during the summer (our busy season).
8What should I do to maintain my well?
Newer wells are fairly maintenance free for many years. If you start to notice issues with your well (the pump running a lot, your breaker frequently tripping, a change in the quality of the water, etc), then we recommend you have your well looked at. We offer complete well inspections, and we recommend this to be done at least every 5 years. Regular well inspections are encouraged as it allows us to fix small issues before they become big problems and cost you money.
9How much water do I need?
This depends on the amount of water usage. Without irrigation, a very conservative estimate is: most families will use between 75-100 gallons per person per day, or roughly 400 gallons for a family of four.
10When does a well need to be abandoned?
Wells that are no longer being used (due to a replacement well or a conversion to city water) must be properly abandoned. Open and unused / unprotected wells can act as a gateway for contaminants to reach groundwater, and potentially contaminate other wells. Give us a call if you need assistance!