It often happens that the water level in the well has dropped or the water quality deteriorated. Also, you may need a larger reservoir to store enough groundwater. In such a situation, the first thing you think of is drilling the existing well deeper. But is it a wise decision to make?
It is possible to drill an existing well deeper. But it is not logical in every situation. Sometimes, it is better to drill another well rather than make the existing one deeper. So the matter is whether you should or shouldn’t drill a well deeper. That depends on various factors.
Though it is possible to drill a well deeper, there are other issues that you must look into. These issues may appear after drilling it. Also, you may see that investing in drilling another well is more cost-effective than drilling the existing well.
So let’s talk about these considerations to help you make an informed decision.
4 Considerations Before Drilling A Well Deeper:
First, let’s discuss the considerations so that you know whether it is wise to drill the well deeper or not. Otherwise, knowing the benefits of drilling an existing well would not be of any use.
Here are 4 factors that you must keep in mind before deciding to drill a well again:
1.Existing Water Level:
If the well is completely dry and you are thinking of digging it deeper, don’t go for it. If the well is already dry, digging more and more won’t help much. You may need to drill a lot to reach the water level which is not beneficial at all. Also, if the water level has reduced suddenly, drilling it deeper is not recommended.
Ask your neighbors if the same is happening to their wells or not. If yes, avoid drilling it deeper. If you know someone has benefited by drilling it, only then you can think of it.
2.Water Quality:
If the water quality is already bad in the existing well, drilling it more may not give you a good result. If the existing water quality is not good, this means that the water in the area is not good anymore. In that case, digging a new well is much more effective than drilling the existing one.
You can ask about the quality of the surrounding people or call an expert to check it.
3.Cost:
Remember that drilling an existing well would cost a lot more than digging a new well. So, if the results of drilling it deeper are not satisfactory, the investment would be wasted. This is why it is always recommended drilling a new well rather than deepening the existing one.
If you are confused about the outcome, drill a new well as it is much more cost-effective. However, if the outcome is assured, then you may invest in drilling it deeper.
3.Water You Are Going To Get:
Are you going to get enough water after drilling the well deeper? If the water supply is only slightly high after drilling the well, the idea is not profitable. The extra dug portion would then be a reservoir only. If you don’t get a satisfactory supply of water, drilling it deeper makes no sense.
Consult an expert to check whether the water supply would increase or not after deepening the well.
3 Benefits Of Drilling An Existing Well Deeper:
Now if all the aforementioned factors are clear, you can look at the brighter side of the story. In fact, there are considerable benefits of drilling a well deeper if the outcome is expected.
Here are 3 benefits of drilling an existing well deeper:
1.Water Supply In Every Season:
The water level rises and falls according to the season. This is a major reason why making the well deeper can be beneficial. Even when the season is dry, you can get some supply of water if the well is deep enough.
Besides, reducing the water usage, knowing the lower water level can help you to make the best use of a deep well. So even if the level fluctuates, you can get a water supply.
2.Less Contamination:
The deeper the well, the safer the water. This is because the water stays away from the surface contamination of bacteria. Bacterial contamination is less when the time of fetching the water is more.
It happens as the bacteria are mostly killed while the water travels up to the surface. So, for safety reasons, it is better to drill the well deeper.
3.A Larger Storage Capacity:
This is an assured benefit that you are going to get. No matter if you get more water supply or not, you are surely going to get a larger reservoir than before as you drill the well deeper. This lets you store more water in the well especially during the dry seasons.
These are some benefits that you will get by drilling the well deeper.
Related Questions:
How Deep Can You Drill A Well?
The length of a well varies from state to state. Also, the depth depends on whether it is for a home or a commercial area.
Ideally, a well for household purposes can have a depth of 100 to 500 feet. This depth is enough to get an adequate water supply. However, if the supply is not satisfactory, you may drill it deeper. There are wells that have a depth of up to 1000 feet. This happens if the water level is low or an increased supply is needed.
How Deep Can You Drill A Well With A Hand Drill?
When it comes to drilling the well by yourself, you may prefer to use a hand drill. Though the results may not be satisfactory, you may still use them.
Generally, a hand drill can let you drill a well with a depth between 15 to 20 feet. A hand drill is not made for drilling deeper than that. However, using a power drill can let you drill the well deeper and faster. Nevertheless, it is always better to consult an expert rather than drilling the well by yourself.
How Much Does It Cost To Drill An Existing Well?
Drilling an existing well deeper can cost you similar to drilling a new well. The considerable factor is which one is more effective. Otherwise, the cost is more or less the same.
To redrill an existing well deeper, you may need to invest around $35 to $85 per square foot of area. So, if we consider the cost of drilling the entire well deeper, it would cost between $3000 to $6000. However, the prices would fluctuate depending on how deep the drilling would be done and the area of the well.
Conclusion:
To conclude, you should consider whether drilling a well deeper is beneficial for you or not. Considering the odds and benefits, you can make a good choice. Consult an expert if necessary to assume the outcome of drilling an existing well deeper.
