Water Well Drilling Methods

Water well drilling methods vary by the type of well being placed and the local geology.

If you’re a residential user in Snohomish, Washington, it’s likely your well is only 50 to 100 feet deep, 6” in diameter, and steel cased into a sand & gravel aquifer, capable of producing 1 to 100 gallons per minute of water. The well could have been drilled using an old Cable Tool drilling rig, where the solid steel bit is raised & dropped into the hole with a cable system. It also could have been drilled with an Air Rotary or Mud Rotary drilling rig, both of which use an air or fluid to displace the drill cuttings as the bit cuts them up. Air rotary drilling often is used in combination with Casing Hammer systems that advance casing slightly behind the bit as the hole is drilled.

If you’re an irrigation well owner in Eastern Washington, you’ll need your new well to be capable of producing hundreds of gallons per minute, up to the limit of your water right permit, and it will often be drilled into basalt rock and upwards of 500 to 1500 feet deep. Basalt drilling can be accomplished using Cable Tool systems, but more often the quickest way to the bottom is to use an Air Rotary bit with a Down The Hole (DTH) hammer system that can pulverize the basalt & drill upwards of 100 to 500 feet per day (depending on depth, hole diameter, etc).

If the well is for ground water monitoring or environmental testing of shallow aquifers, a smaller auger rig, on a truck, track system, or even on a skid, can be used. Auger rigs are very versatile and can use hollow stem auger systems to drill a cased hole down to as deep as 200 feet, and then a well can be constructed inside of the augers, and then the augers can be retracted to expose the well to the aquifer & formations. Sonic Drilling, though much more expensive, also works like this. If necessary, Auger & Sonic drills can collect samples as the bits are advanced, by running sampling systems down the center of the drilling pipe.

In some areas, ‘dug wells’ are still considered the method of choice. While most lenders & Health Department representatives do not look too kindly on dug wells, since the water is often limited and the wells are very shallow, it can sometimes be the preferable method to create a water supply for a small home, especially if deeper wells run afoul of troublesome drilling conditions. The difference between drilling & digging a well is subtle – a dug well literally means that someone is digging the well deeper, by way of a shovel or a clam shell type bucket on a crane, or a similar method. A drilled well using a cable or rotary drilling rig to rotate a bit into the formation & displace the cuttings.

All of the above well types and drilling methods are just examples, of which the list is probably endless. However, one common them is the acquisition of water is the goal – this is only accomplished by getting a well in place, and then a pump in the well to get the water out. Pumps can be as simple as a single jet venturi style pump system, or as complicated as an off grid solar submersible pump system. Then it’s often to water treatment & filtration!

Do you need help with your water system? 

If you need well repairs, a well inspection, a well drilled, or any of the other well and water system related services we provide, you can email us 24 hours a day at service@jkawelldrilling.com, or call us at (360) 684-1932 (office hours are Monday-Friday, 730AM - 300PM).

Does Monroe Washington Have a Lot of Wells?

Yes, Monroe, Washington has a lot of wells. According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, there are over 10,000 active wells in the city of Monroe. This is because Monroe is located in a region with a high water table and abundant groundwater resources....

FAQ: When Should I Replace My Well Casing?

The lifespan of a well casing can vary depending on a number of factors, including the type of casing material, the quality of the installation, and the environmental conditions. In Washington state, well casings typically last for 20-30 years. However, there are a...

Here are some additional tips for well owners with older wells:

Be aware of the signs of well problems. This could include low water pressure, brown or cloudy water, or an unpleasant taste or odor. Have your well inspected more frequently than every 10 years, especially if you are located in an area with known groundwater...

FAQ: If My Well Is More Than 10 Years Old, What Do I Need to Do?

If your well is more than 10 years old, you should have it inspected by a qualified well contractor or inspector. This will help to identify any potential problems with your well, such as damage, corrosion, or leaks. The inspector may also recommend any necessary...

How Do You Get Water for Irrigation?

Accessing water sources for irrigation involves several steps, including understanding local regulations, obtaining necessary permits, and installing the appropriate infrastructure. Here's a general guide on how to access water sources for irrigation: Identify Water...

Without a Home Inspection Before Buying, You Might Run Into Problems

Without a home inspection before buying, you might run into several potential well issues that could pose significant problems and expenses. A well inspection is crucial, especially for properties with a private well as their water source. A well inspection can reveal...

What Regulatory Requirements Lead to Well Decommisions? (Pacific Northwest – Monroe, WA)

In the northwest region, the specific regulatory requirements that can lead to the decommissioning of a well may vary depending on the jurisdiction and local regulations. However, here are some common regulatory factors that could contribute to the decommissioning of...

What Well Pump Brands Do Professional Well Installers Use?

In the Northwest region of the United States, some well pump brands are particularly popular among professional well installers due to their reliability and performance in the local conditions. While preferences may vary among installers, the following well pump...

What Kind of Maintenance Do Well Owners Do in the Pacific Northwest

As a well owner in the Pacific Northwest, there are several important maintenance tasks you should consider to ensure the proper functioning and safety of your well system. Here are some key maintenance activities: Regular Water Testing: Schedule periodic water...

Iron Bacteria in Water Wells

Iron Reducing Bacteria in Snohomish County Water Well Systems Reducing Bacteria, otherwise known as Iron Bacteria, is a naturally occurring family of bacteria that consume raw minerals in groundwater.   While not typically a problem, iron bacteria can produce a slime...

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

We Proudly Serve

We Proudly Serve:

  • King County
  • Snohomish County
  • Kittitas County
  • Skagit County
  • Pierce County
  • Chelan County
  • Island County
  • Monroe, WA
  • Duvall, WA
  • Sultan, WA
  • Snohomish, WA
  • Woodinville, WA
  • Lake Stevens, WA
  • Marysville, WA
  • Mount Vernon, WA
  • Stanwood, WA
  • Silvana, WA
  • Arlington, WA
  • Smokey Point, WA
  • Darrington, WA
  • Granite Falls, WA
  • Machias, WA
  • Three Lakes, WA
  • Maltby, WA
  • Clearview, WA
  • Bothell, WA
  • Mill Creek, WA
  • Everett, WA
  • Lynnwood, WA
  • Edmonds, WA
  • Clinton, WA
  • Freeland, WA
  • Langley, WA
  • Carnation, WA
  • Fall City, WA
  • Preston, WA
  • Snoqualmie, WA
  • Skykomish, WA
  • Baring, WA
  • Grotto, WA
  • Index, WA
  • Gold Bar, WA
  • Sultan, WA
  • Startup, WA
  • Leavenworth, WA
  • Easton, WA
  • Cle Elum, WA
  • Money Creek, WA
  • Lake Joy, WA
  • Preston, WA
  • Ravensdale, WA
  • Kent, WA
  • Renton, WA
  • Issaquah, WA
  • Maple Valley, WA
  • Black Diamond, WA
  • Auburn, WA
  • Puyallup, WA
  • Milton, WA
  • Fife, WA
  • Tacoma, WA
  • Seattle, WA
  • Bellevue, WA
  • Redmond, WA
  • Newport, WA
  • Sammamish, WA
  • Hobart, WA
  • Covington, WA
  • Mercer Island, WA
  • Enumclaw, WA
  • Buckley, WA
  • Roy, WA
  • Bonney Lake, WA
  • Sumner, WA
  • Prairie Ridge, WA
  • Wilkeson, WA
  • South Prairie, WA
  • Enumclaw, WA
  • Lea Hill, WA
  • Orting, WA
  • South Hill, WA
  • Frederickson, WA
  • Shady Acres, WA
  • Summit, WA
  • Waller, WA
  • Lakeland, WA
  • Pacific, WA
  • Algona, WA
  • Carbonado, WA
  • Graham, WA
  • Elk Plain, WA
  • Melmont, WA
  • Yelm, WA
  • Fort Lewis, WA
  • Lakewood, WA
  • Lake City, WA
  • McChord, WA
  • Spanaway, WA
  • Midland, WA
  • Parkland, WA
  • Steilacoom, WA
  • Fircrest, WA
  • Lacey, WA
  • Olympia, WA
  • Dupont, WA
  • Anderson Island, WA
  • Longbranch, WA
  • Lakebay, WA
  • Vaughn, WA
  • Fox Island, WA
  • Arlondale, WA
  • Gig Harbor, WA
  • Carr Inlet, WA
  • University Place, WA
  • Allyn-Grapeview, WA
  • Grapeview, WA
  • Des Moines, WA
  • Burien, WA
  • Federal Way, WA
  • Vashon, WA
  • Olalla, WA
  • Parkwood, WA
  • Manchester, WA
  • Port Orchard, WA
  • Bremerton, WA
  • Seaview, WA
  • White Center, WA
  • Bainbridge Island, WA
  • Eagledale, WA
  • Rollingbay Keyport, WA
  • Liberty Bay, WA
  • Poulsbo, WA
  • Kingston, WA
  • Indianola, WA
  • Tracyton, WA
  • Silverdale, WA
  • Bayview, WA
  • Mutiny Bay, WA
  • Holmes Harbor, WA
  • Greenbank, WA
  • Hansville, WA
  • Port Ludlow, WA
  • Camano Island, WA
  • Tulalip, WA
  • Mukilteo, WA
  • Oak Harbor, WA
  • Coupeville, WA
  • Penn Cove, WA
  • Lake Ketchum, WA
  • Warm Beach, WA
  • Port Susan, WA
  • Lochsloy, WA
  • Lake Goodwin, WA
  • Priest Point, WA
  • Lake Bosworth, WA
  • Oso, WA
  • Sedro-Woolley, WA
  • Edison, WA
  • Big Lake, WA
  • Clear Lake, WA
  • Burlington, WA
  • Mt Vernon, WA
  • Conway, WA
  • Lake McMurray, WA