Artesian well drilling
Drinking and process water wells for homes, farms and businesses — from drilling to pump installation.
An artesian well reaches a pressurised aquifer at depth. The aquifer is capped by impermeable clay that shields it from surface contamination, so its water is cleaner than a dug well's or a shallow borehole's, and the level holds steady all year. This service is for anyone who wants their own water supply, independent of the mains.
Who it is for
- Homes and country houses — drinking and household water, watering the yard and garden.
- Farms — livestock, greenhouses, drip and sprinkler irrigation.
- Businesses — production, car washes, construction sites, hotels, resorts.
- Housing estates and villages — alongside or instead of the mains supply.
Drilling methods
Mud rotary drilling. The bit cuts the rock as it turns, while drilling fluid lifts the cuttings to the surface and holds the hole walls. This is the main method in soft and medium ground such as sand, clay and gravel.
Down-the-hole hammer drilling. An air-powered hammer breaks up hard rock. In limestone and hard rock it is faster and does not contaminate the aquifer with drilling fluid.
Often the upper part of a well is drilled one way and the lower part the other.
How a well is built
- Conductor — a short, wide pipe that keeps the top of the hole from caving and keeps surface water out.
- Production casing — steel or plastic (PVC) pipe. It holds the walls for the life of the well, and the pump runs inside it.
- Screen — a slotted or perforated section facing the aquifer. It lets water in and keeps sand out.
- Gravel pack — graded gravel around the screen that filters the water further and extends the screen's life.
- Grout seal — the upper annulus is sealed with clay or cement so surface water cannot run down the outside of the casing.
- Well cap — a sealed cover that keeps debris and dirt out.
Diameter and pump
The well diameter follows the daily water demand and the pump it will hold. The figures are indicative:
| Use | Demand | Production casing | Pump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private home | 1–3 m³/h | 125–133 mm | 4-inch |
| Farm, irrigation | 5–20 m³/h | 159–168 mm | 4–6-inch |
| Business, village | over 20 m³/h | 219–273 mm | 6–8-inch |
Depth depends on the site and can range from a few dozen to several hundred metres. Nobody can guarantee the exact figure before drilling. We forecast it from nearby wells and the site's geological data.
Work sequence
- Site visit, checking access and space for the rig.
- Gathering data on nearby wells, agreeing depth and well design.
- Drilling and logging the geological section.
- Running casing and screen, placing the gravel pack, grouting.
- Flushing until the water runs clear.
- Pumping test: measuring yield and water level.
- Choosing and installing a pump to match the yield, fitting the well cap.
Water quality
Before using the water for drinking we recommend a laboratory analysis. If it shows iron, hardness or other impurities above the limits, we will help you choose a treatment system.
What drives the price
- well depth and diameter;
- casing material (steel or plastic);
- rock hardness and drilling method;
- how remote the site is and how easy the access;
- whether the pump, controls and storage tank are part of the order.
We agree a price per metre before drilling starts, so there are no surprise costs along the way. We also advise on the paperwork needed to use groundwater.
When you get in touch, give us the site address, what the water is for, the rough daily demand and, if you know it, the depth of nearby wells. With that we can quickly work out a first estimate.