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Drilled Private Water Supplies in the Omemee Area
With Herb Lang Well Drilling in Omemee, you can get access to groundwater which allows you to save money, protect your farm from drought, and enjoy great quality water. Drilled private wells are the most common in Canada, but you will also find examples of driven and dug ones.
Drilled Wells
Drilled wells are constructed by either cable tool (percussion) or rotary-drilling machines. Drilled wells that penetrate unconsolidated material require installation of casing and a screen to prevent inflow of sediment and collapse. They can be drilled more than 1,000 feet deep. The space around the casing must be sealed with grouting material of either neat cement or bentonite clay to prevent contamination by water draining from the surface downward around the outside of the casing.
Driven Wells
Driven wells are constructed by driving a small-diameter pipe into shallow water-bearing sand or gravel. Usually, a screened well point is attached to the bottom of the casing before driving. These wells are relatively simple and economical to construct, but they can tap only shallow water and are easily contaminated from nearby sources, because they are not sealed with grouting material. Hand-driven wells usually are only around 30 feet deep. Machine-driven wells can be 50 feet deep or more.
Dug Wells
Historically, dug wells were excavated by hand shovel to below the water table until incoming water exceeded the digger's bailing rate. The well was lined with stones, bricks, tile or other material to prevent collapse, and was covered with a cap of wood, stone, or concrete tile. Because of the type of construction, bored wells can go deeper beneath the water table than hand-dug wells can. Dug and bored wells have a large diameter and expose a large area to the aquifier. These wells are able to obtain water from less-permeable materials such as very fine sand, silt or clay. Disadvantages of this type of well are that they are shallow and lack continuous casing and grouting, making them subject to contamination from nearby surface sources, and they go dry during periods of drought if the water table drops below the well bottom.
Typical Well Design
The initial investment for a properly designed and constructed well pays off by ensuring:
- A reliable and sustainable water supply consistent with your needs and the capability of the aquifer
- Good quality water that is free of sediment and contaminants
- Increased life expectancy of the well
- Reduced operating and maintenance costs
- Ease of monitoring well performance
Although you need to hire a licensed water well contractor to design, drill and construct the well and choose the appropriate materials, it is important for you to know what is going on. You can then work with the contractor to ensure you get the well design you need.
Choosing a Drilling Contractor
Choose a licensed water well contractor who has experience in the Peterborough, Lindsay, Port Hope, Cobourg and Kawartha Lakes area and knows the local geology. Make sure your contractor meets all Provincial regulation required by drilling companies.
Other things to consider when choosing a licensed water well contractor are:
- Are they approachable? Can you talk comfortably with them about the local geology, their proposed well design and construction and the pumping equipment they recommend?
- Do they have a good reputation? Ask for references and check whether previous clients are happy with their wells.
- Are they insured?
- Are their prices competitive? The cheapest estimate may not translate into the best well. Be sure to compare cost estimates carefully.
- Will they use a written contract or agreement?
- Will they provide any guarantee on workmanship and materials?
- Will they be responsible for sizing and placement of the pump?
- Are they knowledgeable and willing to discuss the regulations that govern water well drilling in Ontario?
