Drilling a Well

[Pettrix]

Looking for advice or tips on drilling a well. The area will be Northern AZ and the properties next door have wells in the 300-350 foot range and get around 25-35GPM. Here is one quote I got:

WELL DESCRIPTION QTY PER FT/HR TOTAL
DRILLING 6.5" BORE HOLE 350 $9.00 $3,150.00
CASING (SURFACE) 7" STEEL 20 $25.00 $500.00
CASING (SOLID) 4.5" PVC SOLID 250 $4.50 $1,125.00
CASING(PERFORATED) 4.5" FACTORY PERF PVC 100 $5.50 $550.00
PERMIT FEE APPLIED FOR BY DEL RIO 1 $300.00 $300.00
DRILLING WATER 2,000 GAL PROV. - ANY ADDITIONAL IF NEEDED $150.00
DRILLING FOAM PER 5 GALLON PAIL 1 $125.00 $125.00
MOBE/DEMOBE MOBE&DEMOBE EQUIPMENT TO LOCATION 0 $0.00
SUBTOTAL: $5,750.00
WELL TAX: $260.37
WELL TOTAL: $6,010.37

PUMP SYSTEM** 1 1/2 HP 10 PGM GOULDS CONVENTIONAL SET @ 330' *LESS 10% $3,485.00
PRESSURE TANK 85 GALLON PRESSURE TANK INCLUDED
SQE UPGRADE 10SQE15-330 GRUNDFOS SET @ 330' W/ 2 GAL P.TANK & CU301 *$3500.00
OTHER SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN ESTIMATE: TRENCHING, WATER LINE & WIRE LINE CALL FOR PRICING
**WARRANTY: 5 YR-LABOR,PUMP,MOTOR, CONTROL BOX AND 85 GAL. PRESS.TANK SUBTOTAL: $3,485.00

WELL AND CONV. PUMP TOTAL $9,751.52

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

I can't help you with any info, but what is the water quality like in that area and how do you get water now? Are there any ongoing taxes or consumption fees payable?

 

[keegs]

Looking for advice or tips on drilling a well. The area will be Northern AZ and the properties next door have wells in the 300-350 foot range and get around 25-35GPM. Here is one quote I got:

WELL DESCRIPTION QTY PER FT/HR TOTAL
DRILLING 6.5" BORE HOLE 350 $9.00 $3,150.00
CASING (SURFACE) 7" STEEL 20 $25.00 $500.00
CASING (SOLID) 4.5" PVC SOLID 250 $4.50 $1,125.00
CASING(PERFORATED) 4.5" FACTORY PERF PVC 100 $5.50 $550.00
PERMIT FEE APPLIED FOR BY DEL RIO 1 $300.00 $300.00
DRILLING WATER 2,000 GAL PROV. - ANY ADDITIONAL IF NEEDED $150.00
DRILLING FOAM PER 5 GALLON PAIL 1 $125.00 $125.00
MOBE/DEMOBE MOBE&DEMOBE EQUIPMENT TO LOCATION 0 $0.00
SUBTOTAL: $5,750.00
WELL TAX: $260.37
WELL TOTAL: $6,010.37

PUMP SYSTEM** 1 1/2 HP 10 PGM GOULDS CONVENTIONAL SET @ 330' *LESS 10% $3,485.00
PRESSURE TANK 85 GALLON PRESSURE TANK INCLUDED
SQE UPGRADE 10SQE15-330 GRUNDFOS SET @ 330' W/ 2 GAL P.TANK & CU301 *$3500.00
OTHER SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN ESTIMATE: TRENCHING, WATER LINE & WIRE LINE CALL FOR PRICING
**WARRANTY: 5 YR-LABOR,PUMP,MOTOR, CONTROL BOX AND 85 GAL. PRESS.TANK SUBTOTAL: $3,485.00

WELL AND CONV. PUMP TOTAL $9,751.52

Paid $3700. two years ago in Northern Maine. That included 20' steel casing the pump, a 75' x 1" poly and electrics run to the house, the pressure tank and switch. The well depth is 180 feet and produces 15 gpm. I installed a dual pole 20 amp circuit and connected the switch to the panel myself. The excavation from the head to the foundation was an additional $400.

 

[Pettrix]

Paid $3700. two years ago in Northern Maine. That included 20' steel casing the pump, a 75' x 1" poly and electrics run to the house, the pressure tank and switch. The well depth is 180 feet and produces 15 gpm. I installed a dual pole 20 amp circuit and connected the switch to the panel myself. The excavation from the head to the foundation was an additional $400.

So does the quote seem high? The well depth would be almost double of yours (330 feet).

 

[Pettrix]

I can't help you with any info, but what is the water quality like in that area and how do you get water now? Are there any ongoing taxes or consumption fees payable?

Water is decent, comes from an aquifer that is fairly clean and plentiful. I don't live there right now, it's just land that I own. There is a $300 fee for a well permit, after that, there are no other fees and it is outside of the regulated area so you can pump up to 35GPM without impediment.

 

[GILLYS CHILLI FARM AUSTRA]

Your lucky Pettrix because in Australia most Aquifers
have been purchased by the Coke Cola company from the government or if they have not we have to pay a yearly licence to draw metered water.

 

[jinman]

Pettrix, I think your price estimate is okay. What I didn't see directly quoted was the pressure pipe from the pump to the pressure tank and also the 350' of copper wire downhole to the pump. Will your driller use schedule 80 PVC pipe or galvanized pipe? I have PVC and love it.

Just to be on the safe side, you might get another quote, but it's important to find a well driller who has been in business for many years and is familiar with your area. I have a neighbor who hired a cheap driller and ended up with a stuck drill pipe and bit down at 285'. The driller tried to convince him that there was sufficient water at that depth, but he listened to me and several other neighbors that the well needed to be around 400'. He had to fire his original driller and get a driller who would put him in a proper well. I don't think you can go wrong by checking with neighbors for their experiences. They can tell you the best well depth and make suggestions for drillers.

That said, I don't see anything wrong with your numbers. In fact, I think that well would cost a bit more if it were drilled here in Texas.

 

[Mousefield]

I have had two wells drilled, one in 1980 and the other in 1999. Basic cost on the last one was $20.00 per foot, plus extra for pump and parts. To me, given the price up here, your price seems reasonable. I'm sure prices do vary somewhat from area to area. Main thing is you end up with lots of good water. :licking:

 

[flusher]

My well was drilled in May 2005--154 ft deep, drilling 160 ft steel casing 6-5/8" x .134 wall ($3360, $21/ft), 20ft annular well seal ($450), (1) 6-5/8" steel drive shoe ($85), permit($191.25), 1-1/2hp pump,pipes, 86 gal pressure tank($1800). Total: $5886.25

The well completion report says the estimated yield is 100+ gal/min. With the 1.5 hp pump it's about 30 gal/min. Depth of static water level is 53 ft. The pump is located about 120 ft deep and is at the 3rd strata. The bottom of the well is in the 4th strata.

Excellent Mt. Shasta water:thumbsup:.

 

[Pete Judd]

The drilling costs are inline with what is going on around here. If you are a little handy, could save a bunch of money on the pump, tank, ect by doing it yourself. You will need a couple of people to help lower the pump, spacers, and wire, as well as the safety rope down the well, but I bought my last pump from Granger. Submersible Well Pumps - Well Pumps - Grainger Industrial Supply And they have the spacers as well. Go for a "3 wire pump" but you will need a extra box with one for the capacitor. Adds about 100 bucks, but the pump will last longer. Our main pump, 2 houses, is over 25 years old now, but have replaced the capacitor about 4 times over the years( less than 10 bucks each time)


And tank from sears
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Switch and all the other stuff at HD, and the local HW store.

 

[keegs]

So does the quote seem high? The well depth would be almost double of yours (330 feet).

Yeah..you're right. I'd just get a few quotes and compare. I think I got three and they ranged anywhere from 5500 to 3700 so I took the lowest. I'm sure they all had some maximum depth beyond which there was an additional cost per foot or other unit of measure.

And I'm sure that if were I to drill the same well here in NJ it would be triple what I paid in ME.

 

[MotorSeven]

The drilling costs are inline with what is going on around here. If you are a little handy, could save a bunch of money on the pump, tank, ect by doing it yourself. You will need a couple of people to help lower the pump, spacers, and wire, as well as the safety rope down the well, but I bought my last pump from Granger. Submersible Well Pumps - Well Pumps - Grainger Industrial Supply And they have the spacers as well. Go for a "3 wire pump" but you will need a extra box with one for the capacitor. Adds about 100 bucks, but the pump will last longer. Our main pump, 2 houses, is over 25 years old now, but have replaced the capacitor about 4 times over the years( less than 10 bucks each time)


And tank from sears
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Switch and all the other stuff at HD, and the local HW store.

Pet's right, drilling companies seem to be reasonable/competitive on their drilling and casing rates. They then stick it to you if you have them install the pump. I spent 1200 on a pump, pipe and wire for a 200' well last year. I hired a local guy that does them and his fee was 300 bucks of that 1200. He discounted his usual rate of 500 since I was his helper.
The submersible pump was under $500, pipe(black poly roll) & wire was $400. We also ran it under the house to a pressure tank that was 40' away.

 

[powerpace]

Moved onto the property with 3 wells down to 125'. All drilled in 2004. The reason there was three is the first one was drilled within 50' of septic drain field. Dumb a**. The next one was drilled and capped. Not enough water they said. The next was drilled on an 80' hill and the building site. Probably cost $3000 for each well.
When we bought the property we trenched and installed all wiring and water lines to the last two wells for a total of approximately $2800 material cost including pressure tanks, pumps and 1500 gal storage and lines run to the barn and various livestock waterers. A timer operates one of the pumps in the summer when it is needed. That is the one they said "not enough water". It now has the most water.
There are some people around this area, that have to buy water for several months of the year. Water cost is $65 per 2500 gal. load.
Get references and with the bidders. Good luck.

 

[marimus]

Your lucky Pettrix because in Australia most Aquifers
have been purchased by the Coke Cola company from the government or if they have not we have to pay a yearly licence to draw metered water.

:laughing:

Coke (or anyone else) can't "purchase an aquifer", sorry but if someone told you that its hoopla.

Stock and domestic water is free and un-metered.

Commercial usage, including intensive livestock and or irrigation requires a licence, with usage fees payable etc

 

[TheGoose]

The drilling price seems ok, the pump/tank price seems high.

Stay away from the Grundfos SQE....go with the Goulds conventional.

 

[Pettrix]

They offered an option "VFD pump" which requires a 2 gallon tank since it is computer controlled OR go with the 85 gallon pressure tank that uses compressed air to maintain pressure on 30 gallons of water while the pump is not running.

Which one is better?

 

[Pettrix]

The drilling price seems ok, the pump/tank price seems high.

Stay away from the Grundfos SQE....go with the Goulds conventional.

Why is the Grundfos a bad pump?

 

[Pettrix]

The drilling costs are inline with what is going on around here. If you are a little handy, could save a bunch of money on the pump, tank, ect by doing it yourself. You will need a couple of people to help lower the pump, spacers, and wire, as well as the safety rope down the well, but I bought my last pump from Granger. Submersible Well Pumps - Well Pumps - Grainger Industrial Supply And they have the spacers as well. Go for a "3 wire pump" but you will need a extra box with one for the capacitor. Adds about 100 bucks, but the pump will last longer. Our main pump, 2 houses, is over 25 years old now, but have replaced the capacitor about 4 times over the years( less than 10 bucks each time)


And tank from sears
Sears: Online department store featuring appliances, tools, fitness equipment and more

Switch and all the other stuff at HD, and the local HW store.

So was the $3,500 for the pump & labor kind of high? If I did it myself how much could I save? $1K?

 

[Pete Judd]

Pettrix, I think that buying the pump, bladder tank, ect and doing your install, could save you 1500-2000 bucks. Not bad for an afternoons work.

 

[tcartwri]

GIS data for water wells in AZ. Never assume the driller is going to stop at the first aquifer.... has happened a few times around here.

https://gisweb.azwater.gov/WellRegistry/Default.aspx