Many people move to Bedford County or Campbell County from larger cities and never have had a well as a water source.  Some are scared because they have heard of wells going dry.  However in the United States 80% of rural water comes from underground sources and is pumped to the surface through wells.  Underground water or ground water is preferred for drinking because it is purer than surface water.  Groundwater can be brought up at any point and thus can be obtained close to where you need to use it. Because surface water flows away swiftly and is subject to tremendous evaporation the water supply in a stream or creek varies more than the steady supply of groundwater.  The primary difficulty with a well is the high cost of digging, casing and sealing it and the necessity for a pump to bring the water to the surface.

Here are some questions or concerns that you may want to ask with regard to the well on the land you are considering purchasing:

Drinking water well

• If electricity is not available you will have to use a generator to run your well pump. If you have a windmill or produce your own electricity with wind, or solar or water power, your life on the land might be more pleasant.

  

• Find out the history of water problems in the area before you buy.  When large quantities of water are pumped, a cone of depression forms, which lowers the water table under-lying the land.  Sometimes too much water is pumped out to allow an adequate rate of water replenishment and the shallower wells in an area may dry up as the water table gets lower.  Once the water table is lowered it may take several years for it be be replenished and all the wells in the area will have to be dug deeper, at great expense to the landowners.
• Ask the seller to show you any available records that indicate the amount of water pumped at various times of the year.  Does the well need to be dug deeper to get a larger flow to meet your intended needs?  Remember, the depth and size of a well do not necessarily coincide with its capacity to yield water.
• A well must be located a safe minimum distance from any sewage disposal system before it will be approved by the county health department.  If the well does not meet these requirements, you may be prohibited from using it.  Ask the seller for the certificate of approval.
• Go to the well-driller and ask to see the drilling log or driller’s report to read what information was recorded regarding the quality of the well and its capacity.  Sometimes a driller will not show you this document without the  owner’s permission.  If the seller will not grant you permission to inspect the report you may be suspicious of the quality of the well.
• Examine the pumping set up to see if it is in good condition.  Is a new pump or a motor pump needed?  Ask the seller to start the pump and watch it operate for a few hours.  Ask the seller what brand of pump he or she is using and what is  the capacity.  How old is the pump and equipment and when was it installed?
• A well must have a water tight pump mounting surface seal around the top if it is to prevent contamination from the entry of foreign matter into the well casing.  This sanitary seal consists of a 12-inch concrete base above the surface of the ground and a 30 inch concrete casing that goes at least 30 inches below the ground level.  Check to make sure this casing is not cracked or leaking.
• The well casing is a metal or plastic pipe inserted into the well to prevent the sides from collapsing.  It is perforated with holes or slits to allow water to seep in and be stored during the “recharge period.”  Can you tell what condition this casing is in?

For more information about living in the country and finding your country place just give me a call or email me.  I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.  If you have more information to share about wells I would love it if you could add it to the comments to share with others.