Okay so you have an old water well or, have you discovered an old well on your property? Naturally you might be wondering what to do next: Can you revive an old water well? Or should you decommission it?
Old and Unused Water Wells – Can You Revive Them?
The answer is yes – It’s very possible to bring unused water wells back to life! Often restoring them to full working order isn’t as difficult as you might think.
If you have an unused water well on your property, you may be missing out on a valuable resource. Reviving a well can save you money on your water bill and reduce your reliance on mains water. Here we explore how we help homeowners revive their unused water wells, and tap into their own private water supply. Read on to get the low-down on what to do next.
Determine if the Well Water is Safe to Use
Before reviving unused water wells, it’s important to determine if they are structurally sound and the well water is safe.
We first check the well’s construction and location to make sure it’s not located near any potential sources of contamination. This may mean septic tanks, livestock and checking for any chemical or hazardous material storage areas. We’ll test the well water for contaminants such as bacteria, nitrates, and lead. Sometimes the aquifers silt-up preventing the water yield reaching its potential, we clear this to restore the flow.
Inspect the Water Well’s Components.
The next step to reviving unused water wells is to inspect their components. This includes checking the well casing, (the pipe that extends above ground), for any cracks or damage. We’ll check the well cap, which covers the top of the casing, ensuring its secure and in good condition.
Next, we’ll inspect the well pump and pressure tank to ensure they are functioning properly. If any issues are found during the inspection, it’s important to address them before attempting to revive the well. If the well needs a new pump, much like installing a new well we can supply and connect a new pump.
Clear and Clean the Well
Once we’ve made any repairs to the well, the next step is to clear any rubble or debris. We then clean and disinfect it. This typically involves flushing the well with a chlorine solution and allowing it to sit before flushing it again with clean water.
When Can I Start Using My Water Well?
As soon as we have connected your well and it’s safe, that’s it you can start using it and begin saving money! You will only need an abstraction licence if you use more than 20,000 cubic litres of water a day.
Keep Up Your Well’s Maintenance
Once we’ve revived unused water wells, it’s important for homeowners to continue regular maintenance. Generally includes:
- Checking the well cap and casing for damage.
- Monitoring the water level so it doesn’t drop too low.
- Keeping the area around the well clean and free of debris to prevent contamination.
What if my well can’t be restored or isn’t deep enough?
Sometimes your well may only be deep enough to draw from the water table not the aquifer that lies deeper underground. In this the case your well may still be perfectly useable. Occasionally though, the water here can be subject to water fluctuation such as drought conditions. If you decide for example, you’ll be using your new water supply for your home this might not feel feasible. In this case, or your water well just can’t be renovated, don’t despair a water borehole could be the answer. The term water well and water borehole is often used interchangeably. However, in this case we’d drill a borehole that reaches deep into the aquifer where the water supply is incredibly stable.
How do I know if there’s a well or borehole on my property?
You may have heard some local stories of a well on your land or in your garden. One very good place to start is the British Geological Survey’s (BGS), National Well Record Archive. You’ll find over 105,000 records of water wells, water boreholes and natural springs in England, Wales and Scotland. If you have no luck there, then you can always try asking a dowsing expert. Alternatively, we can always check your geology and see if your land will be suitable for a water borehole.
Want to Know More About Restoring Water Wells
GSI drill water wells and boreholes across the UK. We drill all our wells to exceptional standards and our well drilling service has a number of benefits including no upfront charge! We’re happy to answer any questions and offer a FREE quote service, email info@gsidrilling or call 07523 208 711.