How To Locate A Buried Well Head

How to Find the Well
Where is my water well?

• Mail a QUESTION or Annotate about how to locate the well by a search of the property, of records & sketches, or by using special tools & equipment to find buried components.

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How to locate a h2o well or well casing:

This article describes how to find a water well at a property. We describe a series of steps and methods that tin assist notice the well when its location is otherwise not obvious.

Finding the well without having to dig upwardly the property like a madman can exist important when well or well piping, pump, or foot valve repairs are needed or when we need to sanitize or stupor the well.

Nosotros also provide an Article Index for this topic, or you can try the page pinnacle or bottom SEARCH BOX every bit a quick mode to find information you need.

Water Well Location - how to find the well

1. Starting time finding your water well past looking inside to find the cold water inlet pipage or water pressure level tank in your building. (If you lot can't find the water pressure tank in your home, annotation that at some backdrop the pressure tank may be located outside in a well pit. If that's the case the well pit itself will likewise comprise the well. )
2. Find where the water pipe from your well enters the building - normally at a basement or crawl infinite, or if your home is on a slab, look in your plumbing or utility expanse.
3. Often the water well is located on the aforementioned side of the building equally that into which the well pipe enters the structure (but not ever!)
4. Outside, look for a well casing projecting higher up ground level. If you lot know where your septic organization is located, the well should be somewhere else, 50 to 100 feet away or more.
5. Beneath in response to reader Ted we listing more-detailed steps to follow to notice your well.

Reader Question: how do I observe the well opening?

three/24/2014 Ted said:

How practice i know if my human foot valve is bad on a two line organisation. and how do I observe the well opening.

Reply: How to Find a H2o Well:

Ted,

If your well and pump system keeps losing prime number that's a skilful clue that at that place may exist a bad human foot valve (or a leak in well piping).

I can't know where your well is located, but there are some common approaches starting by noticing where well pipe exits the building, inspecting the site for places nosotros would Non put a well (like near a septic field), contacting well drillers to ask who drilled the well (often they accept records of its location), inspecting the site for obvious clues (depressions, well casing visible above ground), and ultimately, using equipment to follow well piping.

In addition to some practical suggestions I'll make in a moment, here are some related "how to find" articles that give useful techniques for finding a component that is not in manifestly sight.

All of these "how do I detect ..." topics use similar thinking and approaches, combining a search for records or sketches, an inspection of the site for reasonable locations where the well or septic component or buried tank might be located, and if necessary the use of equipment or fifty-fifty pocket-sized digging.

• At BURIED OIL TANKS, FINDING

  we describe how to find evidence of buried oil storage tanks (USTs) by visual inspection.

• At SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO Detect we discuss how to find the septic tank - but like methods might be used to locate a well whose casing or top is buried and not immediately obvious. If you prefer to scout a video on how nosotros effigy out where a septic tank could or could not exist located,

  see SEPTIC VIDEOS.

• Also see SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION.

...

1. Look on the property for a well casing, cap, or well pit. If inspecting the holding itself does non disclose an above-ground, visible well casing and cap and then you lot may accept an older well whose casing elevation was left cached. Look for a steel casing like the one in our photograph at above left.

   At an older property the casing may be at ground level (photo at above right) or fifty-fifty buried completely, or every bit we show at our

   SEPTIC VIDEOS

   the well casing may to a higher place ground simply not obvious because it'south hiding in a clump of bushes.

   Expect for a pipage of any size sticking upward out of the basis. A well casing may vary from 2" to 6" in diameter or more. A driven point h2o well pipe may be only an inch in bore.

   Expect for a pit, vault, or well-pit, synthetic of metal, rock, concrete, concrete cake, typically with a removable cover, frequently 3' to 6' across.

   Look for long depressions where soil may accept settled over a buried water well line between the building and the well pit or well casing. Follow the depression to its terminate and wait at that place for a water well, casing, or well pit.

   Keep in heed that an older well casing pinnacle may be completely cached. Look as well for a depression in the soil, perhaps just a pes or two in diameter.

2. Look for locations where a well would be likely to be placed: continue by looking in the building for a sketch of well location - frequently left in a basement or crawl area over or shut to the pressure level tank and pump/controls, or sometimes even sketched on a ceiling joist or wall where the well pipe exits the edifice.

   Often in older neighborhoods the aforementioned well driller installed all of the local wells and knew virtually where the aquifer ran at an accessible depth. For example we sometimes discover that forth a suburban street all of the local h2o wells are more or less in a line from property to property.

   Meet WELL CLEARANCE DISTANCES for examples of areas where you lot would not expect to find the well. This data can help focus a search for the actual well location.

   If your well is a jetted or driven point well you probably won't find a half dozen" diameter steel casing merely rather a much smaller 1-2" diameter galvanized atomic number 26 piping.

   Meet details at DRIVEN POINT WELLS

   and JETTED WELLS

3. Telephone call local well drillers: if that doesn't come with a sketch of well location, continue by calling all of the well drillers in your expanse to ask if 1 of them installed the well.

   Attempting to locate a buried well pit encompass in New York I chosen local well drillers. Fifty-fifty though the home had been built in 1924 I plant that a local well driller actually recalled the event and could immediately tell me where the well was located - in that case from retentiveness simply more oft from records.

4. Cheque municipal records: for properties served by a customs well or well system (equally opposed to individual wells), both registration and regular testing are required (except for pocket-sized systems) in most countries including the U.S. Each well will be identified, registered, tested periodically, and the well location as well every bit recent water test results should exist available.

   Example: "NUMBERING WATER WELLS in CALIFORNIA", [PDF] California's state well numbering organization, "Water Facts No. 7", California Department of H2o Resources,

   (ane of 4 water district agencies), Northern Commune 2440 Primary Street Red Bluff, CA 96080-2398 (530) 529-7300 world wide web.dpla.water.ca.gov/nd. Retrieved 2017/03/23, original source: http://world wide web.water.ca.gov/pubs/conservation/waterfacts/ numbering_water_wells_in_california__water_facts_7_/water_facts_7.pdf

Illustration: the 300M portable underground h2o detector -TC300, PQWT-TC300, by Zhongyun, a Chinese corporation who describe the production equally a Mapping with One Button Water Detector.

Watch out: a groundwater-detector similar the device above may not be suitable for locating a well nor locating the best place to dig or drill a water well.

5. Piping tracing or well locating equipment: well piping tin can oftentimes be traced using pipage locating equipment.

   A simple metal detector tin can frequently follow buried metal h2o pipes from the edifice to the well. But if your well is piped using plastic or ABS piping a metal detector won't assistance.

   A long plumbing snake or pipe inspection camera can trace the h2o pipe between building and the well location or well casing.

   Your local plumbers and some well drillers have electronic equipment that can trace piping. such every bit a magnetometer or an electro-magnetic anomaly detector that tin can follow well pipes or spot a buried well casing.

   Some people swear by dowsers who utilise a willow-switch to "follow the water pipe" only in my own research I've not found scholarly studies that support that claim. Most independent studies of dowsers plant that their performance in finding water or water wells was no meliorate than random.

6. Dig if dig we must: A terminal resort is a series of minor test excavations to follow the well line.

Research on Well Location Methods & Dowsing

• Ballukraya, P. Due north., R. Sakthivadivel, and R. Baratan. "Inadequacies in theTechnique of Resistivity Method for Location of Waterwell Sites in Hard Rock Areas." Hydrology Inquiry 12, no. three (1981): 185-192.
  Abstract:
  Large scale exploratory work for groundwater in hard rock region of South Republic of india has been carried out by the authors during the concluding ten years, using electrical resistivity method. The standard methods of data interpretation were constitute to be inadequate in locating water well sites and determining the being and depth of occurrence of water begetting fractures and joints.

  Wenner and Schlumberger blazon vertical electric sounding (VES) curves were interpreted by matching against theoretical model curves and also by inverse slope method. The interpreted results were correlated with the actual driller'south logs.

  No satisfactory correlation could be observed either between the geoelectrical interpreted layer boundaries and the layer boundaries from the wells or between the resistivity in the hard stone and the h2o yield. A more pragmatic arroyo to the problem is desirable to minimize the failures of wells in hard stone terrain.

• Burridge, Gaston. DOES THE FORKED STICK LOCATE ANYTHING? AN Enquiry INTO THE Fine art OF DOWSING [PDF] Western Folklore 14, no. 1 (1955): 32-43.
  Excerpt:
  DOWSING, SOMETIMES Called Water WITCHING, water divining, doodlebugging, well witching or rhabdomancy, is a most controversial subject. Information technology seems considerably less controversial in Europe than in this state. Dowsing'due south protagonists swear past it, its antagonists swear at of each. There appear to be many of each, and and each has a smashing deal to say. Is there any safety eye ground? I recall at that place is.
• Gooding, Alice F. "WORTHY OF SCIENTIFIC APPROVAL? EXAMINING THE Accuracy AND VALIDITY OF DOWSING ROD TECHNIQUES." Georgia Periodical of Scientific discipline 78, no. 1 (2020): 9.
  Abstract:
  Science or Pseudoscience? Sometimes referred to every bit Divination Rods or Witching Sticks, Dowsing Rods have been used throughout many centuries to locate various lost items both underground likewise equally underwater. Regarded as highly controversial at present, dowsing was considered an occult practice and has had fluctuating periods of acceptance academically and professionally. Furthermore, dowsing today is rejected as an occupational tool used past near archaeologists.

  Even so, in recent years, there take been some archaeologists who have get advocates for this practise and will utilize it to aid in excavation. The report seeks to respond the questions: in an archaeological setting, how accurate are Dowsing Rods in locating both textile and skeletal archaeological remains? Who is and is not using this exercise today? And what are the controversies behind this practice?

  The goal of this inquiry is to investigate the accuracy and validity of dowsing rod techniques, uncover who is all the same using this practice today, and consider the controversies behind the practise. In social club to accomplish these goals, interviews will exist conducted to investigate who is and who is non using this practice, field research volition be used to explore the accuracy behind this practice, and observational studies will be conducted to examine the controversies.

  Information technology is expected that this study volition contribute to the scientific claims concerning dowsing rods.

• Harter, Thomas, WATER WELL DESIGN and Structure [PDF] (2003) Academy of California, Segmentation of Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis,
  Excerpt:
  DETERMINING A WELL LOCATION
  The location of a well is mainly determined by the well's purpose. For drinking and irrigation water-production wells, groundwater quality and long-term groundwater supply are the most of import considerations.

  The hydrogeological assessment to decide whether and where to locate a well should always exist done by a knowledgeable driller or professional consultant. The water quality criteria to employ for drinking water wells are the applicable local or land drinking water quality standards.

  For irrigation wells, the principal chemical parameters of concern are salinity and boron and the sodium-adsorption ratio.

• Minnesota DOH, FINDING LOST WELLS: SEARCHING for WELLS on a PROPERTY [PDF], Minnesota Department of Health, Well Direction Department, Tel: 651-201-4600 or 800-383-9808
  Excerpts:
  Unused wells are often visible as a one¼ inch to 6-inch diameter steel piping sticking above the basis, the floor of a basement or basement offset, or a well pit. Withal, older wells may have casing made of concrete, tile, rock, brick, or rock; and many newer wells are cased with plastic pipe. As discussed previously, some wells were originally cached, and if backdrop take been remodeled, wells may be built over or effectually, cut off, or buried. ...

  Backdrop with a long history may have more than than ane well. Farm properties are more likely to accept multiple wells to serve barns, irrigation, and other purposes. Well searches generally start with a visual inspection. The information listed under "Physical Evidence" may help observe a well.

  People familiar with the belongings may be aware of the property's history, and may be able to point to "lost" wells. Country well records were not required before 1974. However, the Minnesota Geological Survey has collected historic well records where bachelor.

  Counties, townships, or cities may have well information with building allow, sewer permit, or property files. In cases where the physical evidence, personal noesis, or records are absent, some tools may be needed to locate wells.

• Ndlovu, Shakespeare, V. Mpofu, D. Manatsa, and E. Muchuweni. MAPPING GROUNDWATER AQUIFERS USING DOWSING, slingram electromagnetic survey method and vertical electrical sounding jointly in the granite rock germination: a example of Matshetshe rural area in Republic of zimbabwe [PDF] Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 12, no. 5 (2010): 199-208.
  Abstract:
  A survey was conducted in Matshetshe expanse, under the Filabusi district of Zimbabwe, to find groundwater by jointly using the Slingram electromagnetic survey method and dowsing method in traversing. The two methods independently managed to locate the same positions of high groundwater potential.

  The vertical electrical sounding was then washed in the anomalous positions. This was to provide the depth of the weathered layers above the bedrock. Traversing results prove that dowsing, an ancient traditional method of exploration, can be used jointly with the modern traversing geophysical methods in finding groundwater.

  The written report revealed, for more than accurate results, that the three methods must exist analyzed jointly to overcome the vulnerability of errors linked to a single method. The information from the iii methods was used to pinpoint prospective drilling sites for groundwater with a loftier caste of accuracy. Key Words: Apparent resistivity, Dowsing, Profiling.

• Ramirez, B. A., Chiliad. J. Joosten, M. P. Kaleta, and P. P. Gelderblom. "Model-based well location optimization–a robust approach." In SPE Reservoir Simulation Conference. OnePetro, 2017.
• Weber, Daniel Brent. The use of capacitance-resistance models to optimize injection allocation and well location in water floods. The Academy of Texas at Austin, 2009.

Reader Comments & Q&A

Tyler:

With the water softener on "bypass" you tin can eliminate that from the "no h2o" problem.

Earlier earthworks up like madmen, let's footstep through some easier diagnostic procedures starting at

NO WATER PRESSURE https://inspectapedia.com/water/No_Water_Pressure.php

and let me know what you detect.

I'm at my buddy'due south business firm he said he doesnt have water so we replaced everything on his water softer downstairs rewired it still no water went outside looking for the well cap no where started digging been earthworks for two days and plant the water pipe followed for 16 anxiety and still no water cap

Jackie

With the ducking apology that I can't exist every bit informed nor as smart as your on-site plumber, I can't imagine how he or she knew that you lot need a new well for-sure from having to replace an above-ground pump.

It is true that IF the well has run dry and y'all run the pump "dry" it is likely to exist damaged and could demand replacement.

But you could get that same symptom from repeated loss of prime ( a bad foot valve in the well) or from leaks in well piping between house and well.

Hire a well driller or a more thoughtful plumber to discover the well, inspect its h2o level, and perhaps bank check the piping and foot valve for leaks.

See

WATER Force per unit area LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR

as a good identify to start figuring out what's happening.

Keep me posted

Had a plumber replace our water pump but nonetheless have no h2o.. He told united states I don't know what to tell yous other then to call a well driller crusade you need a new one. Beginning off how tin he tell it'southward dry and needs a new ane. Secondly nosotros paid 500 to have him say this can they leave us with no water.

Super helpful, cheers very much

Judy the article in a higher place has my very best suggestions for finding a well - I don't know annihilation at all most your specific property.

Effort those steps and let me know what you detect and what questions remain.

We can non fine my well any were 757-417-5248

...

Continue reading at WELL CLEARANCE DISTANCES or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the consummate Commodity Alphabetize.

Or see WELL LOCATION, HOW TO FIND FAQs - questions & answers about how to find the well, posted originally at the stop of this page.

Or see these

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• SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES
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• WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS - dwelling house

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