Drilling - During the drilling

What to Expect During Well Drilling

Upon arrival at your property, we position the equipment over the planned well center. Once in place, we set up the rig and prepare to begin the drilling process.

  1. Initial Drilling and Surface Casing
    The drilling process starts with the creation of a larger diameter hole. Simultaneously, we install a surface casing along with a bentonite surface seal to prevent surface contamination of the well. This step is critical for maintaining the integrity of the well.

  2. Drilling to Bedrock or Casing
    Drilling continues with a smaller diameter hole, progressing into the bedrock or deeper into the casing, depending on the specific ground conditions encountered.

  3. Ongoing Depth Assessment
    Throughout the drilling process, we will continually assess the appropriate total depth for the well based on the conditions we encounter. This ongoing evaluation ensures that the well is drilled to the optimal depth for water yield and structural integrity.

  4. Managing Drilling Debris
    As the well is drilled, various materials, including crushed rock, sand, dust, soil, and water, will rise to the surface. The amount of debris will increase with the depth of the well (for example, a 450-foot well will generate significantly more debris than a 60-foot well). Typically, solid materials will accumulate in a pile, which can be cleared once the drilling is complete.

  5. Well Development
    After the drilling is finished, we proceed with the well development phase. This involves cleaning the well to remove any fine particles or sediment and clearing the well openings to the formation. During this phase, we will also provide an estimate of the well’s yield (i.e., how much water it can produce). This process can take several hours, depending on the conditions.

  6. Completion and Disinfection
    Once development is complete, the drill string is removed from the well bore, the well is disinfected, and the well is capped. Following this, the drilling equipment is rigged down and demobilized from the site.

Safety and Observation
While the drilling process is ongoing, you are welcome to observe the work, but please maintain a safe distance from the rig. The operation involves heavy machinery, loud noise, and high-pressure equipment, so safety precautions must be followed at all times.

Next Steps: Installing the Pumping System
After the well is drilled and developed, we proceed with installing your well’s pumping system, bringing your well to life and ensuring it is ready for use.