Water well basics

A well gets its water from an underground source called groundwater. Ground water is a resource found under the earth’s surface. Most ground water comes from rain and melting snow soaking into the ground. Water fills the spaces between rocks and soils, making an “aquifer”. Ground water, its depth from the surface, quality for drinking water, and chance of being polluted, varies from area to area. Generally, the deeper the well, the better the ground water. The amount of new water flowing into the area also affects ground water quality.

Hacking at the ground with a pick and shovel is one way to dig a well. If the ground is soft and the water table is shallow, then dug wells can work. They are often lined with stones to prevent them from collapsing. They cannot be dug much deeper than the water table -- just as you cannot dig a hole very deep when you are at the beach... it keeps filling up with water!

Driven wells are still common today. They are built by driving a small-diameter pipe into soft earth, such as sand or gravel. A screen is usually attached to the bottom of the pipe to filter out sand and other particles. Problems? They can only tap shallow water, and because the source of the water is so close to the surface, contamination from surface pollutants can occur.

Most modern wells are drilled, which requires a fairly complicated and expensive drill rig. Drill rigs are often mounted on big trucks. They use rotary drill bits that chew away at the rock, percussion bits that smash the rock, or, if the ground is soft, large auger bits. Drilled wells can be drilled more than 1,000 feet deep. Often a pump is placed at the bottom to push water up to the surface.

Domestic water wells

Safe, clean water is one of the most vital resources we have for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning. The Township tests the Municipal drinking water supplies weekly, to ensure they are safe. But it is a homeowner’s responsibility to test their own well water. Laurentian Valley Township has approximately 4,500 private water wells. Most of these wells are not tested for coliform bacteria and other contaminants on a regular basis. Many of these contaminants can cause sickness in people who drink, bathe, or cook with the water.

These days we are hearing and reading about situations where the quality of water is not good enough for normal uses. Bacteria and other microorganisms have gotten into drinking-water supplies, causing severe illness and even deaths. Chemical pollutants have been detected in streams, endangering plant and animal life. Water quality has become a very big concern. If we are not diligent, the quality of our water supply will suffer.

As a private water well owner, it is your duty to understand the basics of well maintenance. It is also the law, Regulation 903 of the Ontario Water Resources Act sets out your obligations as a private water well owner.

As a responsible well owner, you need to carry out a regular program of well maintenance. Taking care of your well is a three-step process.

  1. Protect your well water at the ground surface by avoiding, eliminating or reducing contaminants.
  2. Inspect your well regularly and keep your well in good running order.
  3. Test your well water regularly and respond to contamination problems.

 Domestic water well definitions

Resources

MOECC - Water Well Records
  • If you are trying to locate a copy of the well record for your property you may be able to find it by using the Ministry's mapping tool. This map allows you to search and view well record information from reported wells in Ontario
  • Go to MOECC
Well Aware
  • A portal website for private well owners. Includes an online version of the Well Aware booklet.
  • Go to Well Aware
Ontario Ground Water Association 
  • This is a membership database that includes licensed well drillers and pump installers, manufacturers, suppliers, groundwater scientists and engineers.
  • Go to OGWA
Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU)
  • This website has more detailed information on sampling, testing and what to do if your well water is contaminated.
  • Go to RCDHU