Environmental Services

Drilling & Geoprobing
Water Well Basics

Water wells are holes, shafts, or excavations used for the purpose of extracting water from the subsurface. Water may flow to the surface naturally without the use of a pump which is known as a flowing artesian well. In the Ozarks, water typically must be pumped out of the ground.

Springfield Missouri is located in the Springfield Plateau which covers approximately 27 counties and 8,900 square miles in Southwest Missouri. There are two groundwater aquifer systems located beneath the Springfield Plateau, the shallow Springfield Aquifer, and the deeper Ozark Aquifer.

The Springfield Aquifer

The Springfield Aquifer is located in relatively shallow fractured bedrock and can range from 50 to 250 feet in thickness. This weathered and fractured bedrock allows rain water to move quickly through the bedrock with little or no filtration. This makes the Springfield Aquifer a poor drinking water source because pollution can easily impact water quality within this shallow aquifer.

The Ozark Aquifer

The Ozark Aquifer is a confined aquifer which is much deeper than the Springfield Aquifer. The Ozark Aquifer is called a confined aquifer because it is overlain by a semi-impermeable confining shale layer called the Northview Shale. The Northview Shale can range from 5 ft to 80 ft in thickness. The Northview Shale significantly limits the ability for pollutants to enter the Ozark Aquifer making this aquifer an excellent drinking water source.

Water Well Design & Construction

Water wells must be properly designed and constructed to ensure that you will receive not only an adequate water supply but quality water. Prior to constructing a well, a Geologist or Engineer should conduct a brief site specific hydrologic overview. This overview will determine how deep the well should be drilled in order to ensure there is enough water to meet the demands of the home or business now and into the future. This overview will also determine how much casing will need to be installed in order to protect the well from surface contamination. Casing is a round pipe usually made up of steel or PVC plastic which is placed down the upper part of a drill hole. Once the casing is installed it will prevent shallow aquifer water from entering the water well and mixing with the deeper drinking water source.

Primary Concerns for Installing a Water Well

The two primary concerns for persons installing a well are cost and how soon can you get it drilled.

Cost of a Water Well

With any business, cost depends on three things, quantity, quality, and time. Quantity is determined by how deep you have to drill to get a sufficient amount of water. Depths can range from a few hundred feet, to more than a thousand feet, depending on the location. Most households will want an output of 20 to 30 gallons per minute for a sufficient water supply. Quality for water wells depends on the driller and the materials you select. You should select a driller that is familiar with the geology of your area. A good driller will know what type of rock he or she will encounter and how far to case the well to prevent contamination from entering your water supply. The driller or geologist may also suggest pressure grouting the casing to further prevent contamination. This is money well spent. It is prudent in some circumstances to line the casing with plastic to prevent rusty water in the future.

Time to Install a Water Well

Time is a factor that will affect the cost of your well. If you want your well drilled tomorrow, it will normally cost more. You should give yourself 45 to 90 days before needing a functioning well to allow your driller adequate time to fit you into the schedule. Also consider possible conditions which may affect the progress of the project. Well drillers cannot safely drill in lightning storms or other inclement weather. Drill rigs can weigh anywhere from 30 to 40 tons, so they don’t operate well in wet and muddy conditions.

How to Select a Contractor to Install a Water Well

When selecting a contractor to install your well, you should verify that they are a licensed well and pump installer in the State of Missouri. You should also verify that they are a professional and reputable company. Make sure that they give you a copy of the well registration for your well, and don’t be afraid to ask for references from past clients.

Water Well Contacts

If you ever have any questions or concerns during the installation of your water well do not hesitate to contact:

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Division of Well Head Protection
573-368-2317

Sunbelt Environmental Services
417-831-5052

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Leroy Schaefer CEO, CHMM
Sunbelt Environmental Services, Inc.

Environmental Services, Enviromental Clean Up and Water Well Drilling covering SW MO, Southwest Missouri and entire continental US