Irrigation Wells Frequently Asked Questions

When considering a lawn sprinkler system or expanding landscaping to a new section of the yard, few people know how much an irrigation well can save homeowners money in the long term while protecting their landscaping investment.  Below you’ll find a list of frequently asked questions we get at Skillings & Sons about irrigation wells.

What Is An Irrigation Well?

An irrigation well is very similar to a well drilled to provide water to a home, except the water is hooked up to a sprinkler system or faucet for use outside the home. Because you aren’t using water from the municipal system, it will not be charged on your water bill, saving you considerable money. These wells must be installed by a professional well drilling service, but you can talk to your landscape designer or sprinkler system installer about how best to add an irrigation well as the source.

CAN I DRILL AN IRRIGATION WELL ONE ON MY LAND?

If you are going to drill an irrigation well, you must have enough room in your yard to support the heavy equipment needed to do the work. This equipment needs a way to get in and out of the property, as well.

Once the feasibility is established, think about where it would be located. The farther from the home and the irrigation system, the more expensive the well, since additional excavation and pipe will be needed for the connection. Also, think about whether you will want to expand your home. Wells cannot be moved so make sure it is not located in a prime spot for building a new room onto your home.

ARE THERE OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON WHERE THE WELL CAN BE LOCATED?

Each community and the state have different regulations regarding well drilling, but most require certain setbacks from property lines, buildings, and wetlands. Before calling a well drilling company find out whether there are any other wells on your property or within 100 feet of your property. Also, research locations of nearby wetlands, streams and ponds. This will help you answer some of the questions the well drilling company will have.

HOW DEEP WILL IT BE?

Irrigation wells can be one of two kinds. A shallow well, also known as a dug well, is less than 50 feet deep. It draws water from groundwater and can provide adequate water for a reasonably sized garden. Bedrock wells are drilled deep into the ground and draw water from aquifers. Both can provide the needed 10 gallons of water per minute.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO INSTALL?

Drilling a well can cost between $12,000 and $15,000, depending on the location. However, a homeowner can recoup much of that cost by saving money on water bills. In Massachusetts, it’s not unusual for an owner to shell out more than $1,000 a summer on a water bill. Irrigation wells substantially cut that cost, helping to defray the cost of installation.

ARE IRRIGATION WELLS DISRUPTIVE TO THE ENVIRONMENT?

Irrigation wells draw a relatively small amount of water for use in your yard. The water is returned directly to the ground, helping to restore ground water reserves. The water is also untreated, unlike water from your municipal system, which prevents adding small amounts of chemicals into the environment.

If you have more questions about irrigation wells, please give a Skillings & Sons representative a call at 1-800-441-6281 or contact us here.