How much water will my well make?

Where should the well be located?
Three important considerations exist for locating where your home water well will be drilled. It needs to be

• Away from sources of contamination
• Convenient to power supply and pipe installation
• Accessible for drilling rig and pump installing equipment

Does well "witching" or "dowsing" work?
Although there is no scientific evidence that dowsing works, it does seem that there is a possibility that a few individuals may have a gift. However, the stories of dowsing success are passed along through the generations and across rural areas. Anyone can claim to be a dowser. We have drilled dry holes at the direction of dowsers. We have also drilled in areas where we were certain to hit water anywhere on the property and the dowser directed the well to be drilled in a very inconvenient location. Do some research before you invest in a dowser.

Why do different drillers use different types of equipment?
Our company is dedicated to providing the best possible well on the property that you have selected. We use a state-of-the-art air rotary system that advances the bit by injecting water, along with compressed air, to clean the well bore and lift the cuttings and rock chips to the surface. Periodically the rig is stopped so that the driller can test for water. Mud rotary drillers, however, use a bentonite clay mixture to support the sides of the boring so that the material will not cave in the boring. The mixture creates a cake that stabilizes the sides and it will seal off water, making the detection of lower yields difficult. This seal will hold water back until the well is cleaned by post-drilling development or until it is plugged as a dry hole. When we encounter difficult drilling conditions such as sand and gravel, we now use a DrillanDrive system installed on our rotary rig, the first of its type in the United States. This enables us to advance casing through unstable materials as we drill, allowing us to continue to avoid the problems associated with drilling using mud.

What if we don't find water?
No ground water contractor wants to drill a "dry" hole. It is also unlikely, but when dealing with subsurface geology, it is difficult to guarantee finding water or to predict its quantity and quality. Therefore, most pricing includes this as a possibility.

What are the terms for payment of my water well?
If your household has a low to moderate income, you may be eligible for a special program. The Foundation for Affordable Drinking Water is a program designed to provide water for rural America. It has been approved to operate in both Kansas and Missouri. This Foundation can offer low interest well financing to homeowners who meet specific guidelines. Some of the criteria is as follows:

• Must be a homeowner living in the residence that has as its main drinking water supply, an individual household water well system.
• In Missouri, total household income for a family of four cannot exceed $34,900.00 and in Kansas, it cannot exceed $42,100.00.
• Must live in a rural city, town or unincorporated area having a total population of under 10,000 people.
• Homeowners must submit a description of the work needed, why it is necessary, alternative solutions and costs, and the cost of the proposed solution.