The independence and connection to nature are two top reasons to drill and live on a well for your water source. However, the benefit of a well requires careful planning and a comprehensive understanding of the unique conditions that come along with the well. This article will cover five key considerations to guide you in Permits and Regulations, Water Quality Testing, Maintenance and Inspections, and Water Conservation Practices and Education through Community Resources. After reading this article, we are confident that you will be living with your well in confidence.
I. Permits and Regulations – The first step before drilling a new well in Virginia is to contact the local Virginia Department of Health, https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/private-well-program/. We use an onsite soil evaluator to examine the soils, determine a safe place to drill the well, and then pay for them to complete a well permit. Once the permit is ready, it is submitted to the Virginia Department of Health for their review and issuance of a well permit submitted with our building permit application.
You will need a well permit before you can drill any well, and well drillers are extremely busy, so you will want to complete this portion of a project early to get on the schedule. In our experience, a well driller won’t give you an estimate until you have the well permit in hand, and then it could be 3-6 months for them to fit you into their busy schedule.
II. Water Quality Testing – Once you have drilled your well, you must take a water sample to submit for Coliform Organisms testing and approval by VDH. There are plenty of resources on the internet to tell you how to prepare for this test and submission. Instead, we want to talk about the need to test your water for items that are still deemed safe but could shorten the life of your equipment or plumbing fixtures in your home. We suggest that you ask for a professional to test the water sample to see what, if anything, might need to be done to treat the water.
On a personal side, we noticed the water in our new well was turning the toilets and tile in the shower brown. After the conclusion of a water test, it was determined that the water was “hard” and a water softener would be necessary to help with the water coming to the home. After spending $12,000 to have a well drilled, the last thing you want to hear is that you must pay an additional $3,000 to install a water softener. However, watching as your plumbing fixtures and master shower start to change colors is uncomfortable, and the softener’s price is no longer that painful.
III. Maintenance and Inspections – Well professionals suggest you inspect your well annually to check for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and contaminants. If you notice a change in the taste of your water, you should collect a water sample and take it to a lab to have it tested for contaminants.
When contracting with a well-professional for your annual inspection and routine maintenance, please hire a licensed contractor. Always keep hazardous chemicals, pesticides, paint, or others as far away from your well as possible. Periodically check the well cap to ensure it is in good working order and has not been tampered with. Take extra care when cutting the lawn around your well, as a damaged casing could cause protection to your well.
IV. Water Conservation Practices – Implement water conservation strategies in the operation of your well to protect our water supply. Please make sure you fix leaks quickly, use water-efficient fixtures whenever possible, and practice responsible water habits. One thing we did to reduce our water usage was to install a loop on our water line system so it wouldn’t take more than a few seconds to have hot water. While brushing your teeth, please turn off the water when you don’t need it running, which will drastically cut down on waste. Being mindful of water conservation will help maintain a balance between water usage and the natural water recharge at your well.
V. Education through Community Resources – If you have never relied on a well for your water supply, the chances are that it will be foreign to you. It is essential to consider the community as a whole for additional information and to help you navigate properly using the well for long-term success. You can talk to your neighbors to learn from one another about the specifics of the water supply in your area. It would be best for you to point to the Virginia Department of Health as there is a wealth of knowledge on their website and contact information should you need additional information. https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/private-well-program/
Living on a well is a great way to access your water needs. It is a great responsibility, so going through the proper steps to obtain a health permit to drill and then contracting with a licensed professional will ensure you have a quality product. The intelligent practice of annual maintenance and inspections will ensure the water is safe and healthy for you to drink, and if you ever have questions, lean on the local VDH for assistance.
