Hello, new guy here looking for advice and /or where I can start to find info about wells and household water. I have never had experience with private water supply.
We just purchased some property in Long Beach, Wa. The entire peninsula is very sandy, no rocks to be found. We need to drill a well and someone mentioned we may have a problem with a lot of iron in the water. Water is easy to locate, we are told, and wells are not too deep. The area we are in is rural..
Before I go any farther into this project what should I be looking for? Any special pumps or filtering systems keeping in mind I’m hiring this out and am retired with a moderate fixed income. I’d like to do it right the first time rather than go back and “fix” something that is realatively new.
Any info would be appreciated.
Jim, the new old beach bum
Replies
Researching wells in our area, we found that a local driller's office manager/wife was a great source of information. Our public library had several books that went into detail about wells.
Many thanks to all of you. Exactly what I need to get started properly.
Old Beach Bum
Another couple of good sites are http://www.wellowner.org and http://www.watersystemscouncil.org These have a lot of good information and links.
Erich
Erich, Thank you. The wellowner.org is the best I've seen yet for a "new guy"
It has answered most of the questions that I could think of and more importantly has made me aware of the total package I should work towards.
Jim
You will likely have just a few options for well drillers locally, definitely hire someone who has drilled on the peninsula before, get recommendations from your soon to be neighbors. I applaud your attitude that you want to do it right the first time, which may not mean the low bid. You may need a water softener as well as another type of filtration system, but I think you will find a wealth of knowledge in a long established well drilling company with experience on the peninsula. Hire them to do the complete system... well, pressure tank and filtration system. I also think getting a little informed about the subject prior to making initial contact with a drilling contractor (as you are doing) will serve you well. No pun intended. Install a 3/4 horse all stainless steel high quality pump, though the right driller will insist on that. The right driller will also install a pressure tank large enough so the pump doesn't cycle on and off too frequently. I see too many small pressure tanks which tend to drastically shorten the life span of the pump. Installing water-hammer arrestors next to the pressure tank is also a good idea. If a driller doesn't bat an eye at all these requests you might have found the right one. Enjoy the beach.
Edit: The water hammer arrestors are actually more appropriately installed by the plumbing contractor.
Edited 2/7/2006 1:55 pm ET by Rickie
Just a follow-up FYI. I took your advice, found a GREAT local guy who is both driller and plumber (established business). He came highly recommended by several folks. I asked him to set it up as though he were doing it for his own. He seemed surprised at that approach. I returned home, 4 hour drive, and came back about 10 days later.
A perfect job, in my book, he upgraded a couple things over what you suggested and all for what I considered a fair price. Small town, good rep, great service, fair price. I couldn't ask for more.
I don't know if this is OK or not on this site but I'd like to give him credit.
Dick Taft of Taft Plumbing and Drilling out of Ocean Park, Wa. Thanks Dick.
bum (Jim)...keep smiling...makes 'em wonder what you're up to !!
Welcome, Call a local well driller and talk to him. They will know more about the water in your area than anyone.
I grew up on the family ranch where we had many wells to deal with. If your well is going to be in the sand you really want to check out the pumps available to you. Sand can tear the impellers up on some pumps in no time. Also if your water does have alot of iron in it, you would probably be wise to get a water softner. It won't help with the pump much, but it will help with your house plumbing and laundry. The well where my parents live now has alot of iron in it. When we first did laundry after the well was drilled all the whites came out red. Iron in the water can also be really hard on metal shut off valves. The first time we went to shut the water off after drilling the well, we found the valves were rusted open. The best thing to do is talk the locals and see what works for them.
Since you are in WA, start with
http://askgeorge.wa.gov/AW/query.html?col=sow&nh=7&origin=sow&style=sow&qt=well%20drilling
That specific site will let you locate wells near you, how deep they are, the draw, who put them in, etc.
If you plan on using this just for irrigation, There is a company in Aberdeen that sells various types of pumps along with well points. It is a very easy procedure to go down into sand. It is called Grays harbor Equiptment Co. (360) 532-8643.
There is a guy that might go your way, He is in Ocean Shores. His name is Denny and I can try to get his # for you if interested. His prices is in the $1200-$1500 I think. He might not go to Long Beach
If you are wanting just irrigation water, and you have a iron problem like Ocean Shores has, you can buy an iron filter. If you don't all concrete and any thing else that touches the water will stain a rust color and it doesn't come off. If you want this, I can tell what you will need and how to do it on your own.
Other than that, go with a local well company for sanitary water
Dang, I miss it there. I'm selling our lake front home in O.S. and some day I'm going to regret it
Thanks, guys. This is for household use (cooking, drinking,cleaning, etc) in a newly ordered manufactured home with all new appliances. I'm building a detached garage/workshop and am dedicating floor space (large closet/small room) to the water system so there'll be no weather or serviceability issue in the future.
In Oregon, each county has a Water Master who keeps records on wells in the county and is a great source of information. I don't know if Washington has the same set up, but you might check it out.
Thanks Casey,
Yes, there is one here. Junkhound was kind enough to tell me about the "Ask George" website and you can actually track the wells by the well logs that they maintain.
Jim