Well Digging (Part 3)

           Though technically not a stage in the well-DIGGING process, there are several steps and stages to follow, once your well is in place. These will come with commentary and pictures all their own; I simply make note of them here as digging the well is only the beginning.  But keeping future steps in mind at this stage could help in the overall plan, so knowing your intended outcome for how you’ll be using your well is key going in.

            Once the well is in place, there are separate entities to call, interview, cost out and factor into your plan, after establishing just who and what will be your recipient of well water.

            For me, I personally want to drink the stuff (provided it isn’t sulfur). What’s more, testing, piping, plumbing, purifying the water is my responsibility, though the state does help with recommendations, and again, licensed providers in any given area. (In other words, well-diggers are not usually pipe-layers or water-station installers. These are different entities entirely, complete with their own regs and licensing standards, which again, you need to check out.)

            Once the well is inspected and approved, we move to a whole new phase of decisions, starting with pump installation and running lines (to garden, barn, water stations, etc)... each of which include devices to be installed and specific guidelines for implementation, maintenance, etc. In other words, digging the well is the first (and most important) step in the process. But after that, the decisions keep on coming. We'll give you the play-by-play as we go of each bridge as we cross it. Been my experience you really can't know everything till you start. Suffice it to say, when you're dancing with nature, you learn as you go. All the more reason to spend a little time finding people you trust to guide you through it, as you're gonna have a lot of questions. (Patience is a virtue when it comes to farms and gardens.)