As we discussed our water options, there are only 2 options; county water (available in our area), or well water. Now, because of the self sufficiency of a well, that was my first choice, but the family out voted me by 2 to 1 for county water. While wells had a higher upfront cost, company water was going to cost us in the long run, and in the wake of the West Virginia water contamination debacle, I was strongly urging us to go with wells. As logistics unfolded, we learned that the water company in our area draws their water from 5 different wells, additionally they stated that they would have to place our meters at the edge of our property, as they would not come onto private property to read a meter. Why was this such a big deal? Anyone with expereince in a field relative to home construction or repair can tell you that running water lines 300'-500' is not only a pain, but it is also costly. Add in the $1200 meter and other hook up costs from the water company, and it was starting to make drilling a well look like a wise financial idea.
So after some back and forth with a local drilling company and my family, I initiated the process of drilling our three wells. Since I did a lot of the leg work with this and I was out there first to spectate when they arrived on Friday, we started with our well. It had been a rainy week and they ended up getting their big drilling truck stuck in the mud trying to get it on-site. So they pull out this slow, little "mud slinger" on a track system, to which I gave a little chuckle, as I knew what they were about to do. I promise you, this little thing that couldn't be bigger than Mini Cooper, but sure enough, they hooked it up to this giant diesel truck and pulled it out of the mud, and made it look easy.
After getting set up, they started drilling. If you've never seen a well get drilled, you're not missing anything. Honestly the highlight was when they were cleaning it out and the pipe cap poped of and sprayed water everywhere. Of course, that was the moment when all of us had just put our cameras away.
So, after drilling 63' they stopped and put PVC down the hole and cleaned the well, only to discover that the water table was only 11'. Since it was not good enough, the expert decided to keep drilling. As a handyman it was almost disheartening to see them pull 64' of 4" PVC and cut it just before every collar. Thankfully, I learned today how they were able to salvage those collared ends of the pipe. I digress. Once they got back to drilling, I decided to get back to work myself and wandered off to continue digging for electrical conduit. I guess I shouldn't have left them alone, as we were paying by the foot after 65'. By about the 15th time checking their progress, I really left them alone this time. So once I saw them moving their equipment to the next lot, I walked over. This was the kick in the pants I was not expecting, yet fearing based on how long it was taking. So I asked, 123'! They went an additional 60', what! I mean at 123' I think my water is imported by the time I get it up and to my lips. They tell me that was just what 'mother nature' required, stating that they were still getting sand, and hit "a rock" at 123'. Half joking, and 100% serious I said, "You probably hit bedrock", they agreed. But after they checked the water table, we have water at 63'. For those who can't add, 60' is one heck of a well. The question is, is the well half full, or half empty?
All joking aside, these guys did a fantastic job, and I cannot wait to try the water. At 123' it better taste like a pure, Austrailian waterfall.
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