One way to locate underground water is to find certain plants, called phreatophytes.

Live Oak

You can find them where there is a high water table.  The name pheatophyte is derived from two Greek words meaning well plant.   Some pheatophytes indicate not only the presence of groundwater but also the quality and the approximate depth of the water below the surface.  When walking land look for these plants and it should give you an indication whether there is water close to the earth surface.

• Rushes, sedges and cattails
• Reeds and cane
• Saltbush
• Pickleweed
• Arrowweed
• Rabbit Brush
• Elderberry shrubs
• Black greasewood

For instance willows or cottonwood trees usually mean that good-quality water is available within 20 feet of the surface.  Some species of birch, maple, sycamore, alder, bay and live oak also indicate ground water at shallow depths.   Each area of the country has it’s own type of phreatophyes.  A well driller or farm advisor in Campbell County or Bedford County will know the ones to look for in the area.

An old method of finding water that is still used today is witching or dowsing for water with a divining stick or rod.

My Granny had several springs on her land.  As far back as I can remember I remember my family telling me that my great grandfather walked across their land carrying a forked branch in front of him, waiting for it to point down to the ground over a water source.  A forked or straight twig from a peach, willow, hickory, dogwood or cherry tree is the most common tool used by diviners.  The twig is held between both hands facing out and up and is suppose to roll down or spin around when held over water.  He was well-known as a diviner.    He even claimed to be able to tell which way the water flows and how deep it is by the movement of the divining rod.  However, the USGS has concluded that not one scientifically conducted experiment using water witches to locate optimal sites for water well location has ever yielded conclusive, reproducible support for water  witches’ claims.

A well driller in Campbell County or Bedford County will probably give you the most complete and accurate appraisal of the availability of water on your land and the cost of pumping it.

Get the appraisal from the driller you intend to hire to drill the well.  Because all or part of the appraisal fee will be refunded when you finally hire the company to do the drilling.  The appraiser will compare your land to other property in the area where that company has drilled wells.  Each company keeps accurate logs of  drilling depths and of the quantity and quality of water that is finally pumped.  They also examine the soil, vegetation and geography to estimate the location of water.

A company generally won’t guarantee its appraisal, but a test drilling can be done for a smaller charge than a complete well.

If you decide to buy the land is contingent solely on whether water is present, a test drilling is advisable.

When selecting a company to do the drilling, compare appraisal fees, refund provisions, costs for drilling methods, and the grade of casing to be used.  Ask for recommendations from the local health department or people living in the area or use this site for well drilling companies recommendations.   A good well drilling contractor will sign a written contract with you, will operate well maintained equipment and will provide insurance protection for you.  Such a contractor will estimate the cost of the job step by step, including a breakdown of unit prices, and give you a specific drilling price in advance.  When the job is completed, the contractor will provide a record of the strata penetrated by the well and a statement of work performed and material used.

Check to see if prospective contractors are members of the state and national associations of well drilling contractors, evidence that they keep abreast of new developments in their field.  Hire the driller with the best reputation, regardless of price.  When it comes to well construction, like anything else, it’s worth paying more for good quality.