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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/.
However, be aware. Well log data alone can be misleading (regarding well flow and depth), as it represents a snapshot in time. A well may not produce what it did when originally drilled decades before. Professional input is irreplaceable; we serve as a resource for our customers. Contact us today.
Generally, a water right permit must be obtained before using water from any well. However, there are “exempt uses” which most residential water usage will fall under.
Domestic use wells are exempt from needing water right. Water users can check ORS 537.545 https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors537.html for the most up to date laws regarding exempt use water usage.
Any well water use that is not covered under “exempt uses” will require a water right.
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.
Drilling to source water on a property is a risk. Ultimately, the risk of hitting water falls on the property owner.
At Clouser Drilling we do our best to communicate the risks upfront and ensure a successful project. We work with our customers financially in the case of unfavorable results.
The chance and definition of an unsuccessful well varies greatly depending on the area. We serve as a resource for our clients to educate them on their water area before drilling.