We’re here to help
Below are a list of the most commonly asked questions we get from folks. If you don’t see a question you need answers to please contact us. We’re here to help!
Yes if:
It’s legal. State law requires deepened wells to meet current construction standards. Wells which do not meet current construction standards may be fixed; however, it’s often more economical to drill a new well. Generally, wells constructed before 1996 are not advantageous to be deepened.
It’s practical. Access to existing well-head needs to be adequate to safely and properly set up drill rig and other necessary equipment. Permanent structures that are within 20’ of the wellhead, including pump houses, may prohibit deepening a well if there is not adequate space.
It’s advantageous. Original well construction, lithology and/or the well location are important factors for a successful well. These factors should be considered along with meeting the above conditions.
All these questions can be answered in All About Water Wells.
We only drill vertical bores.
No, we are exclusively a drilling contractor. We partner with reputable and quality contractors to recommend to our customers.
A well is a big investment, we always recommend our clients to work with a licensed pump installer to ensure correct installation and prevent expensive well repairs.
• Material excavated from the hole is referred to as “drill cuttings”. With air-rotary drilling, water and native earth will be the “cuttings” excavated during the process. These are left on site and will slowly decompose back to nature. Site restoration and debris removal is an additional cost and is above and beyond the well construction scope of work. Many materials are used during drilling and can be seen in All About Water Wells.
Well drilling is a risk. We do our best to ensure a successful project and communicate the risks. The possibility and definition of an unsuccessful well vary greatly depending on the region. Poor yield for one area may be considered exceptional for another. However, the risk of the project ultimately falls on the client. The same amount of time and resources are needed to complete the project no matter the outcome.
We serve as a resource for our clients to educate them on their water area before drilling. We care about the success of our projects and work with our customers in cases of unfavorable results.
The performance of neighboring wells often gives an indication of what to expect. Well log records are public and can be found here: https://apps.wrd.state.or.us/apps/gw/well_log/.
This data alone can be misleading as wells often no longer produce as when originally drilled. Professional input is irreplaceable, we serve as a resource for our customers. Contact us today.
Under Oregon law, “all water within the state from all sources of water supply belongs to the public.” Generally, a water right permit must be obtained before using water from any well. There are exceptions called “exempt uses”.
Domestics use wells are “exempt” from needing a water right (per Oregon Revised Statute 537.545). They are bound by the following:
- Single or group domestic uses up to 15,000 gallons per day
- Stock watering
- Irrigation of any lawn or noncommercial garden of ½-acre or less
- Down-hole heat exchangers
- Single industrial or commercial purpose up to 5,000 gallons per day
- Irrigation of school property up to 10 acres in critical groundwater areas
- Emergency Firefighting
All other uses require a water right, this includes wells intend to irrigate commercial crops of any kind.
Public Water Systems requiring approval by Oregon Health Authority are defined under OAR 333-061-0020(107):
“Public Water System” means a system for the provision to the public of piped water for human consumption, if such system has
- More than three service connections
- Or supplies water to a public or commercial establishment that operates a total of at least 60 days per year, and that is used by 10 or more individuals per day.