What are the parts of a water well?

A Bedrock Well                                      An Overburden Well

Why is a drilled well better than a dug well?

A drilled well is deeper than a dug well to access the safest drinking water. A dug well is easily contaminated by surface water. For more information try this link: http://www.bcgwa.org/waterwell/2ewellKinds.html

What is a surface seal and why do I need it?

A surface seal is a non-permeable substance that prevents surface water or contaminated groundwater from seeping along the outside of the casing and entering your well. The Ministry of Environment has mandated that all water wells must have a surface seal. All water wells Okanagan Kootenay Well Drilling drills are constructed with a surface seal using bentonite to provide our customers with safe, uncontaminated water.

What is a "witcher"? Do I need one?

A witcher or dowser is someone who uses a forked branch or metal rods to feel the aquifers under the ground. This is not an exact science, but we have never drilled a dry well that has been witched. You do not have to have your well witched, but we don't think it's ever a bad idea. We would be happy to recommend an experienced witcher if you would like.

Can you tell me how deep my well will be?

No one can tell how deep you well is going to be, even if they claim to. The best way to estimate is to ask your neighbours how deep their wells are and that is only a guideline. Okanagan Kootenay Well Drilling will drill only as deep as necessary to get you the amount of  potable water needed/requested.

What does gpm mean?

Gpm stands for Gallons Per Minute and is an approximate measure of the maximum water you can pump out of your well. Using air, we can estimate the gpm of your well at the time of drilling. If you need a more accurate measure, a pump test by a qualified pump installer is recommended.