Upgrading Your Well

Well construction practices have changed over time. If your well is older, poorly constructed, close to a possible contaminant source, at risk from flooding, or not producing adequate water supplies, you may want to upgrade your well. Also, if you have problems with your dug well, you might consider a drilled well. Shallow, or dug wells less than 6 metres (20 feet) deep are at higher risk of contamination than deeper wells because a shallow well will draw water from closer to the surface where it can be contaminated more easily.

The type of soil and rock that surrounds your well can also cause the need for an upgrade. Put simply, your well is at lower risk if the surrounding soil and rock effectively stop surface contaminants from reaching the aquifer. It is at higher risk if contaminants can infiltrate more rapidly. For example, coarse soils like sand and gravel are a less effective barrier than thick deposits of fine soils like clay loams or silty clay. If your well ends in bedrock, which is likely in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is at higher risk if bedrock fractures extend near to, or reach, the surface.

This section may give you ideas on how to upgrade your well. Talk over your options with a licensed well driller or Environmental Health Officer who is experienced with upgrades and familiar with conditions in your area.