Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Frequently Asked Groundwater Questions.

  1. What is groundwater?
  2. What is an aquifer?
  3. What is a groundwater well?
  4. I’d like to drill a groundwater well on my property. Can I drill anywhere on my property?
  5. How do I locate a water well driller?
  6. What should I do if a well on my property is not being used?
  7. How much does it cost to drill a groundwater well?
  8. How deep is the groundwater in my area?

1. What is groundwater?

Groundwater is commonly thought to be underground rivers and but the truth is groundwater is found almost everywhere underground.

Groundwater is found in the spaces between particles of rock and soil, or in the crevices and cracks of rocks. It is stored and moves slowly through spaces between sand grains (intergranular), rock crevices (igneous rocks) and in permeable openings (such limestone) called aquifers. 30% of the earth’s fresh water is groundwater.

Watch a fun and informative video about groundwater!

2. What is an aquifer?

Aquifers are underground layers of rock that are saturated with water (groundwater) that can be brought to the surface through natural springs or by pumping. Aquifers are all different sizes and their origin and composition is varied.

3. What is a groundwater well?

A groundwater well is made for the purpose of extracting and using ground water. There are (generally) three types of water wells in BC: dug wells, drilled wells and driven sand points.

4. I’d like to drill a groundwater well on my property. Can I drill anywhere on my property?

A groundwater well should be drilled on higher ground so the well head can be protected from normal flooding and surface drainage.

Within British Columbia, there are no restrictions on how close a well can be drilled from the property line. Check with local municipal government in your area; it may have restrictions.

The site of a proposed water well should not be:

  • Within a horizontal distance of 3 metres (10 feet) of an existing building;
  • Within a horizontal distance of 30 metres (100 feet) of any probable source of contamination or point of waste discharge to the ground, such as a septic tank, cesspool, septic effluent field, manure heap, stable or pig sty; or
  • Within a horizontal distance of 120 metres (400 feet) of any cemetery or dumping ground.

5. How do I locate a water well driller?

Vancouver Island Well Drillers:

A useful site on how to locate a driller in British Columbia Groundwater Association

(Click “Membership” (left hand side) --> “Well Drilling Contractor” OR “Pump Supplier & Installer”)

6. What should I do if a well on my property is not being used?

When a well is no longer being used or maintained for future use, it is considered abandoned. There are many reasons why a well may be abandoned. Some of the most common reasons could be that your property has several wells but you’re only utilizing one (1) as your main water source, or, you’ve purchased a new piece of property and plan to drill a new well as you are unsure about the current wells history.

It is the landowner’s responsibility to properly deactivate or hire a qualified well driller to close an abandoned groundwater well. The landowners are responsible for any injury or occurrence of groundwater contamination caused by an abandoned well which isn’t properly decommissioned.

Find out how to properly decommission a water well here: Well Decommissioning

7. How much does it cost to drill a groundwater well?

Costs involved in drilling a groundwater well will vary. Asking for several quotes from more than one certified well driller is best.

Please refer to Q.5 - “How do I locate a water well driller?” to find our recommendations.

8. How deep is the groundwater in my area?

The best way to determine the groundwater depth in your area is to ask your neighbours and others around your properly that are tapping an aquifer. Water wells typically range from 10 – 60 feet, but some areas can go deeper than 3,000 feet!

Be aware that groundwater wells located on hills or ridges may have a greater depth to groundwater than wells in valley bottoms (often closer to the underground water table). The greater the depth, the more expensive it will be to drill.

Often local drillers will have a great insight to the water tables in your area.

Do you have a Groundwater question we did not answer? Email us at websupport@vanislewater.com or message us on one of our social media channels: Facebook or Twitter