5 Steps to Prepare for a New Well

The right drilling company is vital to ensure your well is placed effectively. A company with a lot of experience will be able to help you know where you should place the well and how deep it should go. You will also benefit from their understanding of drilling regulations in your area.

Before you decide on a contractor, look at customer reviews on their website. Once you've narrowed the search down, call each company and request a consultation as well as a quote. This will help you determine who will provide the best services at a price that fits your budget.

Missouri requires a restricted permit for those who hire a contractor to do well work. These permits are valid for one year, so you should acquire your permit well in advance to avoid any problems. With this permit, you are allowed to drill, repair, reconstruct, and plug residential wells.

Simply apply for your permit through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and wait for your application to be accepted. Once it has been accepted, you can move forward with the drilling process. A licensed contractor will also be able to help you with the permit process.

Drilling a well requires certain weather conditions. The soil needs to be mostly dry in order to support the hole and allow the well to be placed. This means that you should schedule the drilling for a time when no rain is predicted. Missouri averages 42 inches of rain each year, so you should carefully evaluate the drilling schedule to make sure it doesn't coincide with any approaching storms.

Soil needs a few days to dry enough for drilling, so if it rains, reschedule your drilling for three or four days later if possible.

The spot where you plan to drill the well needs to be accessible and clear of plant life. Without a clear site, the drilling can be delayed or rendered ineffective due to obstructions. So, before the scheduled drilling day, clear out bushes, flower beds, gardens, and trees at the spot where the well will be placed.

Also consider removing tall vegetation like trees in the immediately surrounding area to provide room and improve visibility for the large drilling equipment. Be careful to not remove too much of your landscape, though, to minimize replacement and replanting costs after the well has been placed.

Since wells aren't usually placed directly next to a main road, you will need to create an access road that the drilling company can use to transport equipment. While you don't need to physically dig a road, you should ensure that the equipment has a clear and specific path it can move back and forth on.

Consider nearby structures and underground systems such as the sprinkler and try to create a path that will cause the least disruption to those things. Mark off the designated road with flags or colorful posts to ensure it is visible. Then make sure the road is clear of objects and vegetation.

Drilling a well can be complicated, and it requires experience and skill. If you need a licensed and qualified drilling company to place your well, call Lefty's Pump & Drilling. We’ll help you plan and drill your well so you have all the water you need. You can also ask us more about how to prepare for your new well.