How to Drill a Well for Drinking Water

Select the drilling method that best suits the soil condition on the property. Rotary drilling involves a truck-based tower drill that bores down into the soil. This is the method once widely used for most soil conditions. If the soil is particularly high in gravel, clay or sediment rock, consider using the air hammer method of blasting compressed air or a cable drill, which works like a pile driver by literally “punching” its way down into the soil. Rent the necessary equipment from a construction rental company, which generally leases drilling equipment by the hour.

Choose an area away from the house that is known to pool water during heavy rains. This is indicative of a natural well beneath the soil. Remove any large rocks, trees or shrubbery from the immediate area to make the drilling process easier. Hire extra help or ask a few friends for assistance; you’ll need someone to operate the drill, another to spot the drill to monitor its progress and one more to relay communication between the spotter and the operator.

Consult the rental company or other property owners who have successfully drilled wells in your area to gain an understanding of what to expect. Unsuccessful attempts at drilling will cost you money and leave an unsightly, not to mention potentially dangerous, hole in your yard. Mark a rough spot in the yard that’s easily visible to the operator when you’re ready to start the job. An X made with brightly colored spray paint will suffice.

Park the drill rig near the marked site, power up the drill and slowly insert the drill tip into the marked spot, regardless of the piece of equipment you rented. Closely monitor the drill, as it reaches a depth of about 2 feet, to watch for water spill -- as the depth increases, the amount of water will increase. Water is difficult to see so monitor how watery the mud is -- the looser it is, the closer you are to the water table.

Stop when you’ve reached the depth of the water table, information that should have been provided by another well digger or the rental company. Retract the drill slowly and outfit the hole with a sleeve to prevent it from collapse. Fill the small space between the soil and the sleeve with cement to prevent possible contamination.