Common Questions About Water Wells and Drilling

Why Water Wells of Wisconsin?

Water Wells is the leading provider of well drilling and water well pump service in southern Wisconsin. Our family has been active in the water well industry since 1885, providing the highest quality wells for homes, farms, and industry. We are a family owned business who has been drilling wells here in Wisconsin for 5 generations. We put that experience of well-drilling knowledge into every well we drill.

Read the Complete History of Water Wells

How long will it take to drill a well?

photo of Water Wells Drilling Rig

Because each well is unique in the type of soil that must be drilled through, the final depth of the well, and the ability of a formation to provide water, there is no easily defined time schedule. With that in mind, 90% of our wells are completed in 1 to 4 days. One could easily believe that since we generally charge “by the foot” that our motive would be to drill as many feet as possible as fast as possible, and many other drilling companies seem to be following this path. At Water Wells, we believe that our 80 years of success in southern Wisconsin has been based upon our reputation, and that reputation is based upon taking the time to carefully complete your well.

Where will the well be located?

Most pieces of property dictate where you can and cannot drill. For example, there are distance restrictions from right-of-ways, power lines, underground utilities, septic systems and property lines. Once these are examined the driller will need to consider access ability for the drill rig and future access. After these parameters are closely examined we can then recommend a site based on our knowledge of the area and the geography of the land. We recommend including us in the construction planning process AS SOON AS POSSIBLE in order to ensure that your construction project, including the well, will be completed in the most streamlined manner.

How much water do I need?

The amount of water you will need will depend upon the size of your home, the amount of lawn and garden watering, and future watering needs. At a minimum, we like to see a well produce 10 to 15 gallons per minute. If you are planning to irrigate your lawn or garden on top of daily functions you should have about 20-25 gallons per minute.

How much does a well cost?

Typical domestic water wells range from $2,500 to $15,000 but very deep or complex wells can cost much more. The pump system and installation costs will be determined by the depth of the well and the gallons per minute the well produces.

What is a Pump System?

A pump system includes everything to get your water from your well to your house. In other words it will consist of a pump, motor, control box, pitless adapter, pressure tank, pressure switch, pressure gauge, check valves, well cap or seal, drop pipe and submersible wire in the well, pipe and wire from the well to the house, fittings and one or more yard hydrants.

What is Ground Water?

Groundwater is water below the surface of the land that fills the spaces between grains of sediment and rocks or fills cracks and fractures in the rock. Mother Nature has made the rocks of the earth as a natural storage place for our groundwater. According to the National Ground Water Association, each day, over 130 million Americans get their drinking water from groundwater.