Maybe you’ve grown tired of city water and are looking to install your very own water well? If so, you probably have a number of questions and concerns. One of your primary concerns is more than likely when you can expect to have your well up and running.

 

How long does it take for a water well to be fully installed? While it’s true that a water well can’t be installed and fully functional in the matter of a day, you’d be surprised at how fast a well can be up and running.

 

Pre-installation

Before you just go drilling, there are a number of things which much be accomplished. First, you must pick an optimal spot for the well to be placed. While you could try to accomplish this task yourself, you would be best served by calling in the professionals. Due to their knowledge and experience, professional well drillers will know exactly where to place the well for maximum water pressure, water safety, and water quality.

 

Professional drillers will also obtain the necessary permits and licenses for drilling in your yard. They will talk to you about your specific water needs and obtain the necessary equipment to create a well that suits your preferences. Obtaining proper licensure and inspecting your property for optimal well performance will take anywhere from a day to a week.

 

Installation

After you’ve obtained the proper permits and found the optimal spot for your well, you can begin the installation process. Installation involves drilling a 5 to 10 inch in diameter power drill through the earth’s crust until it reaches somewhere beyond 100 feet below the surface. After this has been done, a long steel casing will be inserted to capture water in a controlled manner.

 

Additional cement and equipment will then be added to ensure that the well is sealed tight and incapable of letting in any harmful contaminants. Though it may come as a surprise, the actual process of drilling and installing the well typically takes the least amount of time. The entire installation can typically be completed in 1 or 2 days.

 

Water testing

Though the well may be installed, this does not mean that its water is safe for human consumption. There are a number of contaminants which must be tested for to ensure that the water in the well is safe and clean. If you’re using a team of professionals to create your well, they will often have services available to assist in the testing of water.

 

Contaminants tested for in well water include fertilizers, septic leakage, nitrates, and iron bacteria. Water testing will typically take anywhere from 1 to 3 days, after which you can move onto the final part of the well creation process.

 

Purification

After water testing has been performed, it is typically necessary for water purification to take place. This is often necessary even if the water has been found to be safe for human consumption. The reason for this is that, in many parts of the country, soil is rich in iron. Iron-rich soil often causes a bevy of different problems with your well, from foul smelling water, to water that stains clothes, and more.

 

Purification is also used to soften hard water, making it feel more pleasant to the touch, and also allowing it to be drank with greater ease. In total, the purification process usually takes around a day.

 

Overall

All in all, with all steps considered, it will typically take between 1 and 2 weeks to have a new well completely up and running. Of course, depending on several factors, it could take shorter or longer than this. It all depends on how quickly you can secure permits, drill your well, test your water, and get your water purified.