Answer: The first step is to contact your County Environmental Health Department and tell them that you are in the need of having a well drilled and that you would like to apply for the proper permit for the construction of your well. At this point, the Health department will advise you of the proper steps that must be taken in order to obtain the required permit. These steps may include a check for the permit, filling out an application, and a site visit from the Health department to determine a possible location of your well site. One thing for you, the customer, to keep in mind is that in most instances, you can have your well located where you choose, as long as you meet your Health Department set backs and requirements from sources of contamination. Don't be afraid to ask questions!

Answer: When looking at all of the ads in the Yellow pages, you will come to one conclusion. They all say the same thing. "we do this" or "we do that". At this point, confusion sets in and you are no closer to being able to make your selection than before. How do you know which one to call? At this point you need to look at what sets the contractors apart. What does this contractor offer that the others do not? Could it be the Class "A" license, could it be the experience, or could it be the fact that one particular company seems to stand behind their work better than the others? As an educated consumer, this is where you will be able to separate the various contractors listed.

You will not find your answers in the size of the ad that is written but you will find them in what is being said. Read the ads carefully. In this case, size does not matter!

1.Select an established, reputable water well drilling contractor.

2.Locate your well based on site conditions keeping in mind the combination of sanitation, wellhead protection, and convenience for maintenance and repair.

3.Do not use a well pit.

4.The well casing should extend at least 12 to 18 inches above final grade and the top of the well should be sealed with a secure and vented well cap.

5.Following drilling and development, the well yield should be estimated and a pump and pumping rate should be established not exceed the capacity of the well.

6.Old drilled wells, should be properly abandoned to avoid groundwater contamination.

7.When requesting bids for well drilling construction, request information and specific information on the quality and durability of the materials being used, copy of the drillers liability insurance.

8.Following drilling and development, the water well should be shock disinfected, flushed, and tested to determine the microbiological quality of the water. It would also be advisable to have the well tested for specific nuisance contaminants and the general water quality.

9.Upon completion of the drilling and final well construction, the well driller should provide a detailed drilling log and well construction log. This information should include a description of the unconsolidated and consolidated material, location of water bearing zones, estimated yields of each water bearing zone, estimated yield, pumping test data, static and dynamic water level, and pump placement.

10.Do not simply select the lowest bidder. It is critical that you compare the type and strength of the metal casing, method used to connect the steel casing, and experience of the drilling contractor.