How can I build my own well in my back yard?

[JonnyBoy12]

I know that you normally need planning permission to build anything over 6 feet tall but what about a well? Do you need it for that and can you build a well yourself? What equipment do you need to hire and how long would it take? How much would it cost to build a big one?

Hope you will be able to help with my query and thanks in advance for any replies.

JB12

[carrust]

My Mrs dug a hole in the back garden & filled it with water....she means well...

[Bambiagain]

I have absolutely no idea abour planning permission etc., but do you know there is water there and where to find it?

[joggerjayne]

Yes, you can.

Theoretically, you own all the rights in your property, down to the centre of the Earth, and you can exploit them as you wish ... including drilling down for water.

(unless there are specific rights under your property reserved to a third party, like the Coal Board)

[Buenchico]

Have you checked the geology of your area? Not everyone has accessible water below their property!

The first step is a professional survey (to find out if there is water and, if so, how deep it is):
http://www.synergybor.../waterwell_boreholes/

Chris

[NOX]

Do you mean a well that works i.e you will draw water from it, or an ornamental wishing well?

[Maydup]

No licence is needed for private users abstracting under 20 cubic metres a day—that’s 20,000 litres of water. But you need to construct a safe bore hole with supporting construction, so best get the professionals in.

There are plenty of Borehole drilling services depending where you are, but here are a few examples.

http://www.cruwman-dr...-vM1a0CFbIhtAodshAikw

http://www.daleswater...es/borehole-drilling/

http://www.waterwell-engineers.co.uk/

Got me wanting one now! We found a well in our garden 10 yrs ago, but it was filled in. Maybe we should reopen it..........?

[fliptheswitch]

When it comes to your question, I have no idea... BUT... What a fantastic idea! :-)

[annadomino]

First, get someone to dowse your land. It's very easy.

[RATTER15]

there is loads of stuff on you tube about diy bore holes and wells etc, I was looking into it myself once.

[Zacs-Master]

And remember....alls well that ends well.

[Clanad]

Depends on to what use you'll put the water from the well.

If it's only going to be used for irrigating a lawn or garden then the use of what we call "surface water" here in the U.S. is a relatively simple process. One can do it in about 2 hours, depending on the depth. Surface water ( a misnomer, of course) extends to about 50 feet but depends on a number of things. Surface water should never be used for human consumption of course. That type of well can never be more than about 30 feet deep in any case, thanks to the laws of physics.

For deeper wells, especially if the provided is water intended for human consumption, a "short hole" (about 10- 25 feet deep) is drilled (actually pounded), the drill stem removed and the hole filled with concrete. After a day to allow for the curing of the concrete, a hole is then drilled through the concrete and "cased" (lined) with steel pipe as the hole descends. (This keeps the contaminated surface water from draining down to the 'good' water).

Here in the western U.S. most wells are usually 150' to 250' deep, but obviously depends on geology.

One word of caution... if you're property is smallish, under and acre, say, (our ranches out here are several sections large) the drill stem on a deeper well can actually bend and wind up under someone else's property... not a good thing legally speaking...

[bushbaby_de]

You may well require planning permission, as I suspect it would fall under the definition of development as per s55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 because it would involve the carrying out of building, engineering , mining or other operations in/on/over/under land. A well doesn't appear to fall within any of the permitted development categories.

[AlBags]

Is it an OIL well?

[boxtops]

What for, jonny?

[tildakovach]

Hi, JonnyBoy12
try this website as well as the synergie I saw someone else also sent you a link to: http://www.george-applegate.co.uk/index.html
but simply put into google something like "own well". "own water-borehole" or the like and loads of companies come up - talk to them, etc.... I am in the same boat - so to speak! good luck. t.