How do I know where to start drilling for a water well?

Where should I have the survey completed?

Usually the landowner has an idea of where he would like to have a well (usually close to where the water is needed) and that is most often where we will set up a minimum survey (4 sounding sites, 25-30 meters apart). We lay out a pattern at the 4 corners of the  building or possibly in a line along the one side of the lot, at times considering the formation changes on the property.  In areas where water may be more difficult to find, particularly when the underlying formation is bedrock, we may suggest going to 8 soundings. On larger properties we recommend a line(s) of at least 8-12  sounding sites , or doing  2-4 groups of 4 on different parts of the property but ultimately the client decides how many sounding sites he would like us to survey. We will do preliminary surveys at wider spacing than 25-30 meter or do grids on a ¼ section to try and  identify "better areas" though we require the client carry out a 2^nd follow up survey after the first visit once they receive the first report. For the  2^nd survey we will set up at the chosen “better area(s)”, to add further support with nearby soundings, to validate the initial preliminary results allowing us additional support to make recommendations before you invest in drilling a water well. Another option for some properties, depending on the area,  is to carry out “fracture tracing” before the on site survey which can help identify faults or lineaments that often have a higher occurrence of groundwater which we than use as an intersect point for the survey. The important point is that on each location we survey we investigate to depths of 800-1500 feet depending on the type of formation. Though most would never want to drill that deep Waterfind’s EKS equipment will  “look”  to these depths on 4 different sites for less than the typical cost of a single test hole.
 

When do we get the results?

We typically get the report in your hands within 15 working days or less. It depends a little on where we are on our schedule, internet coverage, the size of the survey and when we can get to a printer to print your report though most of the time we have it on its way to you within two weeks. On the chance we get rained out the a day or two after your survey you could have it within a week. When we leave the site our work is only half done. The time spent physically collecting your data on site is pretty much doubled with the time spent in the office with a 2^nd computer, on research, processing, mapping and interpreting the data, all needed to create your report. Though there are signs of whether or not there is water while we are on site doing the survey, we are extremely cautious in providing any “off the cuff” information as we do not want to mislead you nor do we want you to drill on the what might turn out be the 2^nd or 3^rd rated  location of the sites surveyed after we have processed the data. By letting us finish our whole  job and providing you with the report, you will have all the results of the work we did, containing the estimated depth and interpreted yield you can expect on each of the sites surveyed along with our recommendations allowing you to make a informed decision on where to drill a water well.

What will a well cost?

Our survey will give you an idea of the depth to expect but from there its very hard to answer that question easily due to all the variables. Across the West there is quite a range, 20 to 40 dollars per foot drilled is what we have heard. Prices for water wells vary considerably, due to local conditions, location, labor cost and all the usual things impacting cost in a mobile service business. In addition the depth of a finished well, the type and size of casing, the type of screen, type of formation, and the depth the driller finds water at, will all effect the final cost. Most often there is a fixed price minimum to a depth of a 100 feet or less, and past that its priced per foot.  A driller won't pin a price for you  simply because he doesn’t know how deep the water is. He might have an idea if all the wells in the nearby area are all at the same depth, same yield, but he would still say “it should, but". Like us he needs to use his equipment to find the answer. You are spending your money so like anything, it is important to make a few calls, ask for prices, references, ask what’s all included, and ask what experience the driller has in your area. The website "lifewater.ca"  has some great reference information on well drilling in fact you can download a whole book.