You can download these frequently asked questions by clicking here
Q. How deep will my well be?
A. Well depths vary greatly throughout the state. Depths can be as shallow as 20 feet on Cape Cod and the Islands to as much as 1,000 feet deep in bedrock areas of western Mass. Your well depth will depend on the site location and the formations encountered during the drilling process. A local driller will be knowledgeable about your area and will be able to provide a reasonable estimate.
Q. What is a bedrock well?
A. Bedrock is the general term for all types of rock formations. Another name is consolidated formations. A bedrock well refers to the formation the well is completed in and from where the well draws water. Water flows into the well through fissures and cracks in the rock that the borehole bisects as the well is drilled. Most wells in Massachusetts are bedrock wells. The type of bedrock can be very hard like granite or softer like sandstone. Massachusetts has a wide variety of bedrock types.
Q. What is an overburden well?
A. Overburden refers to the material above the bedrock. This is also known as unconsolidated material, usually composed of sand, gravel, silt, or clay. These deposits were formed thousands of years ago by glaciers and rivers. In Massachusetts, overburden wells are drilled on Cape Cod, the Islands, the Connecticut River Valley, and other similar geological areas. These wells are typically completed with a well screen on the bottom portion of the well. The screen holds back the sand, or formation material, and allows water to enter into the well. Often, overburden wells produce relatively high yields.
Q. How long does it take to drill a well?
A. Usually it takes one or two days to drill your well and another day to install the pump system. However, it can take a week or more to obtain the well permit and Dig Safe clearance before starting work.
Q. How often should I have my water tested?
A. Every year or two. Look for changes or trends in individual parameters.
Q. Does the top of the well have to project above ground level?
A. Normally, yes. The top of the well should project 6 to 18 inches above the ground and should be completed with an approved watertight well cap. This arrangement reduces the possibility of contamination entering the well from surface water.
Q. We’re buying a vacant piece of property. How can we have the water tested?
A. If there is no well on the property it will be necessary to drill a well to obtain a water sample.
Q. We’re purchasing a lot. When should the well be installed?
A. Many buyers decide that they want to know definitively the water quality and quantity before purchasing the property. This requires that the well be installed and the water tested before closing. If not done at this time, it will be necessary to drill the well as the first step in the building process and usually before obtaining the building permit.
Q. Can the well be located anywhere on the property?
A. No. Drinking water wells must meet minimum separation requirements from septic systems and setbacks from roads and property lines. Generally, an engineer must be engaged to prepare a site plan and layout the well location. The requirements for irrigation wells are less stringent and often the well can be located by the driller.
Q. How is the site for the well chosen?
A. The site engineer prepares a septic system design and locates the well in accordance with local regulations. The well driller may often advise on the well site location for obtaining the best water, ease of rig access, and eventual connection to the house. Additional factors such as nearby wetlands and flood zones may also affect the well sitting.
Q. Before hiring a well driller what should we ask him to provide?
A. Ask the well driller for:
• A written, itemized estimate for the exact work required for your job
• A certificate of insurance coverage
• A list of the driller’s licenses and certifications
• A schedule of when the work will be performed
Q. How can we tell if our well has “failed”?
A. Unfortunately, there are often no obvious warning signs until there is no water coming out of the faucets. Some possible warning signs are:
• The pump runs for a longer period of time
• The water is somewhat dirty or rusty
• There is sediment or sand in the water.
• There is lower volume and/or pressure than in the past
Q. What’s causing the green stains in my shower?
A. Your water is acidic (low pH); this is the case with nearly all the well water on Cape Cod. The acidic water attacks the copper piping in your house causing the copper to leach into the water. The elevated copper in the water results in green or blue stains in the shower or tub. Left untreated this will eventually result in pinhole leaks in the plumbing system. The usual correction is installation of a whole house neutralizing filter system.
Q. What’s causing the brown stains in the toilet?
A. These stains are caused by elevated iron or perhaps manganese in the water. This problem can be corrected by the installation of the proper filter.
Q. Why is the water pressure so poor in my house?
A. You probably have either an older well system that is no longer capable of providing the desired pressure or the water pipes may be undersized. Another possibility is a water leak somewhere in the system.
Q. Why is a well more than just a hole in the ground?
A. We consider a well to be an engineered water intake structure. Not all wells are created the same. The time and attention to detail spent drilling your well will be reflected in the yield, water quality, and long term life of the well. The well driller’s objective should be to produce the highest possible yield, free of sand and silt, which will be sustained for many years without the need of well maintenance or redevelopment.
Q. What factors determine the price of the well? Aren’t they all installed the same way?
A. Each well is unique. The cost will be affected by the following factors:
- Well depth
- Well screen length and material
- Method of drilling
- Extent of test drilling, if necessary, to locate best water bearing formation
- Difficulty of site access
- Size of pump and tank
- Amount of trenching and other factors unique to your property.
Q. How do I compare quotes?
A. It’s usually difficult. Drillers use different installation methods, different materials, and will make different assumptions regarding the above factors in preparing an estimate. You should expect the driller to visit your property and prepare an estimate that is specific to your job. You should expect him to include all work that is necessary for a complete job so there are no surprises at the end. Price should not be the only consideration. Check into the driller’s reputation for quality work, his ability to meet schedule commitments, his response to customer concerns, and most importantly, his reputation for providing prompt service when an emergency arises.
Q. What is an Irrigation well?
A. An irrigation well is very similar to a drinking water well, except it is connected to a sprinkler system or faucet for use outside the home. These wells must still be installed by a professional drilling service, but they have less stringent requirements. Because city water is often very expensive when used for automatic irrigation systems, the water bill savings will often pay for the cost of the well in a few years.
Q. What is “Hard” water?
A. Hardness refers to the ability of the water to produce soap. Usually bedrock wells produce hard water due to the elevated calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water can adversely affect home appliances and water heaters. The usual solution it to treat the water with a water softener.
Q. How do we find a highly qualified, reputable well driller?
A. A recommendation from a friend or neighbor.
Your local Board of Health may have a list of drillers that serve the Town. Elsewhere on this website is a page titled “Locate a Member”. Click on your county and a list of local drillers will come up. MGWA members are ready to serve you, whether you need a well, pump service, water treatment, or a geothermal system.
These Frequently Asked Questions have been provided by Atlantic Well Drilling and Skillings & Sons, LLC.