DRILLING PREPARATION
Before we arrive at your location, it’s important that you do the following:
Make sure you know where your underground utilities are. Anything underground (lines for water, gas, power, communication, etc.) within 25 ft. of the drilling location must be marked/flagged.
Ensure there is adequate access for large vehicles to reach and perform at the drilling site. (If our equipment can’t get in, we can’t drill you a well!)
The drilling rig is 55,000 lbs.; it is 40 ft. long, 8 ft. wide, and 13 ft. high. The support truck—which will be parked near the drilling rig—is 20,000 lbs. and 22 ft. long, 8 ft. wide, 10 ft. high). Common obstacles and obstructions to get to and stay at the drilling site include: tight corners, steep hills, soft ground, logs, rock formations, trees/branches, fencing/gates, and lines for power/cable/internet. These cannot be in the way!
Clear or cover the area around the drilling site of valuables (eg. trailers, boats, vehicles, landscaping features, etc.). Unfortunately, drilling is messy (and sometimes, really messy). The space surrounding the site may be affected by dust, mud, and dirty water. Clean-up is usually required once we vacate the premises.
Let your neighbours know. Drilling is loud and takes time. If you are in close proximity to anyone, a head’s up might be helpful.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Can we drill anywhere we want to on our property?
Yes and no and sometimes. Really: every property is unique. If there are no obstructions and ample space, you may be able to select the exact area where you want the well to be. But sometimes a (less desirable) site is determined simply because it’s the only place the drilling rig can access.
Can you guarantee me a certain amount of water?
No, we can’t. There are no guarantees with water well drilling because we can’t control or change what’s underneath your property. We can glean information from neighbouring (“offset”) wells to have an idea of what your well could be like, but ultimately, your well could be better or worse than any of the wells around it. We won’t know until we drill it!
Is it possible to drill a well that has no water?
Yes, it is. Wells that produce no water even have a name: “dry holes” or “dusters.” They are rare, but they do happen. Unfortunately, dry holes are just as expensive as successful ones. If your new well happens to be a dry one, we will discuss how to proceed.
Do you do water divining or “witching?”
Nope, we don’t.
Why is drilling so messy?
As we drill, debris (in the form of crushed rock, sand, dust, soil, and water) comes to the surface; as it does, it has to go somewhere. The deeper the well, the more debris there will be. (A 60 ft. well will create a lot less debris than a 450 ft. well.) Generally, solid materials form into a pile, which you can remove once we leave your location
It’s important to think of the drilling area as a construction site. Clean-up will be required once construction is complete. (We don’t provide clean-up services.)
