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Elements That Help Determine Water Well Drilling Depth, Part 1

Four generations of experience installing, maintaining and
repairing wells throughout Utah and Wyoming.
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At Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC, water well drilling is among our specialties. Using a combination of popular rotary drilling and other methods, we’ll help you tap into unused groundwater found below the ground, then install pumps and all the other required technology to bring it into your home.

We get a number of common questions from our clients surrounding this project, one of which speaks to a very important area: How deep does your drilling penetrate to create a new well? There’s no single set answer here – water wells can range from about 100 to about 800 feet below the ground, averaging about 300 feet deep, but this depends entirely on a number of factors. What are these factors? Let’s investigate in this two-part blog series.

elements water well drilling depth

Building Codes and Local Guidelines

For starters, those considering a new well have to do so in accordance with all state and local laws and building codes. If you’re not completely sure of what these codes dictate, you can always check with government offices – though our experts can generally guide you in the right direction here based on our experience.

There are several areas to consider here. For starters, the general standard for water wells requires that well casing reaches all the way to bedrock under the earth, and that said casing is at least 20 feet in length. You’ll also have to think about grouting, sealing needs and well-cap reinforcement, all of which will vary between states and even individual municipalities.

Water Quality Considerations

The general rule of thumb with water underneath the ground: The further down you go, the better the quality the water should be. This is because water nearer to the surface can be more easily impacted by underground critters like moles – for this reason, many states have regulations that require drilling to reach a certain minimum depth to avoid these risks.

Now, how deep you choose to go will depend on a combination of desired quality and capacity for expense. Drilling down deeper than 500 feet may cost a bit more, but that cost could easily be worth it for the improved quality. Again, our team is happy to assist you with the ins and outs of this decision.

Rocky Landscapes

In certain areas where rocks are a big part of the landscape, the distance under the ground at which you reach water can vary widely. If you notice lots of rocks near or under the ground, though, it’s more common for water to be deeper than usual, a consideration you’ll want to factor into your potential costs.

For more on how deep a given well needs to be in your area, or to learn about any of our water well treatment, pumps, softening or other services, speak to the staff at Mike Zimmerman Well Service LLC today.