Domestic well

mikeb1000

we have had our well drilled by a reputable company from the midlands

it’s coming in at 12g/hr at a depth of 300ft, which is just workable for a standard house 
however our plasterers have now gone dry twice in last week when using the water for plastering, which has made us very worried 

we will have an air to water system and normal usage of water for a standard 4 bed house. 

the drilling company didn’t Devine it, they told us there is no science to it as it doesn’t represent what is going on in the rock etc. they instead drill to the best location for the site. They are 30 years in the business so hard to go against them 

We since got someone local to Devine it as they have said it’s three feet away from where it should be. 

What should I do? 
should we re-drill at three foot away? 
should we consider blasting the well

Or should we leave it all as is. Not sure if we should be worried or not. 
the company doing the pumps for us are saying it will be fine for a normal household, especially with storage tank and water harvesting 

note: we are going to do water harvesting and also put a large storage unit in the shed.

Water John

Are you saying 12 gallons/50 litres per hour?

mikeb1000

yes 12 gallons per hour, circa 50 litres per hour

we are looking to put in a 1,000L tank in shed - well filling it. And a 8,500L water harvesting tank. Both going through UV, filters etc and then into house

Water John

That is very nearly a dry well. Certainly wouldn't count in my part of the country. Wells can be strange. I have two relatives who built houses on adjacent sites. One got a good supply at 170ft, the other had to go down over 400ft not 50 feet between them.

If the diviner has a reputation, I would seriously consider their view. Maybe try another drilling outfit that does use a diviner. Be very open in telling your story to them. I wouldn't act the smart ass and not tell them of the dry well.

con747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058364698/domestic-well

That's barely enough for a few showers and other things using it. I had a well drilled recently in the midlands at 140ft and it wasn't cheap so I would be getting whoever drilled it to sort it if you haven't paid already and if you have I would be looking for a refund.

blackbox

That's not a great flow, but I really don't think that moving it 3 feet will make any difference. The water comes from a layer of porous or permeable rock. What might make a difference is going deeper - Did the drilling company discuss or consider this?

mikeb1000

We have the company paid. Went back to him when the concern arose and all I'll say is they were completely different to deal with when there was a problem - 'a fine thick man' when he wanted to be.
They made it very clear that if they are to come back it wont be for free / discount and they will be charging as if it was a new appointment…

Have to accept at this point that it is a slow filling well.
It does refill however, we have tried it out a few times and it refills each time, all be it slowly.

The way we are going to go with this is install the largest tank we can in the shed that is fed from the well - think its circa 1,000L tank. The well itself each morning will have circa 1,200L in it when its full, which it does be each morning even when we have it emptied the night before.
The water harvesting tank will be 8,500L.
The tanks then feeding into the filters and UV etc etc and then into the house.

The well will refill over night and top up the 1,000L tank.
There will be a ball cock / sensors in either the water harvesting tank or tank in shed or both (no sure yet, plumber will solve this part) to make sure that none of these tanks stay stagnant for any period of time as that will create its own problems.

The water from the water harvesting, being soft water, will serve the appliances and plumbed units.

That's where we are with it, fingers crossed this all works.
Don't have the appetite (or money) to go back and re-drill, have to make what we have work.
Well company also wont make it right or give a refund.

T5180

"it’s coming in at 12g/hr at a depth of 300ft, which is just workable for a standard house "

are you sure 12 g /hr is workable for a standard house ? am I missing something ? this is less than 1Lpm.

If this is correct I would not invest any money in additional storage tanks or any other work arounds .Save you money and get the well drilled properly . I cant imagine any pumps will work properly reliably with a flow rate that low . Will you pipe your drinking water from the proposed tanks ? does not sound like a good idea .