DIY Well Drilling

Hey Everyone!

I've been homesteading for around 5 years and finally paid off the property.

We have managed to succeed so far with no permits.

I am in the process of reassembling a large solar power system that will cover all our electric needs.

The next big thing we REALLY REALLY need is water!

Local government wants 20,000$ just to survey the land before they will allow any permits, including a well permit.

As a result, we are highly motivated to drill our own well!  

We want to do a good job, make as few mistakes, and as efficiently as possible.

We have a VERY LOW water table, so that should be nice!

My specific question:

1) if you have experience doing this and are interested, I will buy a plane ticket, provide food and sanctuary for a week, and pay you an agreed amount,  if you are ready to lead this project for us.

2) if you know of a specific brand and setup that is superior to rent or use than others.

And of course
3) looking forward to all the unexpected tips and tidbits

Thanks everyone!!! Our little food forest homestead is desperate for water.

Couple of questions;
- low water tables are down very deep
- shallow or high  water tables are close to the ground surface.
- What is yours?

Have you thought of rainfall collection and use?
My signature contains a link to a permies topic on the subject.
A 20,000L tank, guttering and leaf catches are all you need.

This has two videos to help you learn how to create a well without drilling:

https://permies.com/wiki/144086/pep-plumbing-hot-water/Create-deep-drilling-plumbing-straw

This one is using a hole auger:

https://permies.com/wiki/144086/pep-plumbing-hot-water/Create-deep-drilling-plumbing-straw

Be sure to take pictures to share with the forum and then submit them to get PEP Badge Bits (BB)!

Hi there,
  I guess we have a very high water table then
. Rainwater collection is not sufficient, and I do not need help figuring out how to catch water off a roof.

We are irrigating 2 acres of crops and orchard. 1000 gallons a week easily, and no rain for months. A 5000g container is 5000$.

So, like the post said, I need a well.

Thanks

Neither of those videos are at all helpful. I have seen plenty of videos and am very capable of typing things into YouTube.

I am looking for EXACTLY what my post asks for.

1) Specific brand recommendations for a portable well drill from someone who actually has PERSONAL EXPERIENCE using one.

2) Someone who has experience and is interested in being paid to install one for me.

If you have not drilled atleast one well yourself off-grid, you are not the person I am asking.

Thanks.

On our forum threads are perennial, so I am really thinking someone else might enjoy or be interested in what myself and the other poster suggested.

I really hope you will be able to find a forum member who has personal experience and also can answer your questions.

Anna,
   I just want to apologize. I felt like a total prick after sending my reply. I am just very overwhelmed and busy. I am spread too thin and looking for help and solutions. I just wanted to say thank you for your reply and participation in community and sharing. Thank you for showing such grace and patience with my short/rude reply.

    Best Wishes!

I once watched a diy well being drilled, literally drilled.
with a big heavy duty pawn shop slow turning hand held electric drill.
a customized drill bit extended with steel 1/2" threaded  pipe.
steel threaded coupler welded to drill bit and another drill bit sacrificed. shank cut off and welded to steel threaded coupler. pipe lengths were long.
it was next to a house so the driller started standing on roof then work his way down a ladder as drill went further into the ground. as one piece of pipe went in the ground another length was threaded on to extend it.
it worked

Define "very high".

yeah--high water table--also if water level is real high maybe you could just rent an excavator for a weekend and dig yourself a little pond for irrigation this would not need or pertain to a well permit. if anyone asks just tell them you needed to dig up some more soil for gardening never know it might work. but then again what do I know I'm not there

What is a high water table?

A water table is defined as the highest level that soil is saturated. ... A high water table is readily accessible and may even broach the ground surface.
Some definitions
High water tables are a nuisance that many homeowners must face. The water table lies underground and is the level at which the soil and gravel are completely saturated with water
. ... A high water table is especially common in low-lying areas, or areas where the soil is not well drained.

Areas that tend to have a higher water table are near water sources such as a river or lake.
A false water table can also be created by poor drainage or being near the base of a large water runoff source like a mountain or hill.

Do you have any cattails growing on your property. How close is the nearest neighbor with a stream/river/spring or even a pond. How deep is the neighbors well?
Also do you need this water only for irrigation (surface water table) or do you also need it for drinking water.
A high water table in Florida is less than 6ft. A high water table in say Texas/California is less than 600ft.

It's possible that all we will need is a hammer/jackhammer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTfsWWGrlz0

Or just a water and a pump or pressure washer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ue2DkG64r8

But maybe you are looking for help with something like this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJPEn4rR3Ww

If we have your zip code/county we could get an idea of what your local hydrology looks like.
Here is a website that we can use to help
https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-can-i-find-depth-water-table-a-specific-location?qt-news_science_products=0#qt-news_science_products