Let us talk about wells. If you are thinking about stopping your city water bill or just want a more reliable water source for your place here in Summerville, you have probably heard some terms. Two common types that often come up are driven point wells as well as drilled wells. These are not the same thing. Picking the right well for your home in our Lowcountry conditions is important.
Our team has seen many of both types of wells over the years. We can tell you what works for one property might not work for another. Let us get into the details so you can make a good decision for your Summerville property.
Driven Point Wells: The Shallow Option
A driven point well is sometimes called a sand point well. It is a small-diameter pipe that gets pounded into the ground. These wells usually have a screened well point at the bottom to filter out sand as well as sediment.
Cost:
- These wells are generally the cheapest to install. We are talking about potentially a few thousand dollars, maybe $1,500 to $5,000 for the whole setup. This is because they do not need the heavy, specialized drilling rigs that deeper wells use.
- Sometimes, homeowners try to install these themselves. We do not recommend this for your primary water source.
Durability & Lifespan:
- This is where driven point wells show their limits. Driven wells are shallow. They typically go down only 25 to 50 feet. They draw water from the shallowest water tables.
- Because they are so shallow, they are more affected by seasonal changes. During a dry spell, like those long, hot Summerville summers we get, your water table can drop. A driven well can run dry or have much less water flow.
- The well point itself can get clogged with sediment easily. This means less water flow as well as more maintenance.
- Their lifespan is shorter. It is often in the range of 15-25 years.
Maintenance:
- You will likely need to watch a driven well more closely. Regular checks for sediment in the water are important. This is especially true after heavy rains or dry periods.
- Water quality can be a real concern for driven point wells in Summerville. Being so close to the surface means they are more open to contamination from surface runoff, pesticides, septic systems, as well as other pollutants. You would absolutely need frequent water testing, probably twice a year, to make sure it is safe to drink.
Appearance:
- A driven well is discreet. You will just see a small pipe coming out of the ground. This pipe is usually connected to a jet pump that might be in a small pump house or even your garage.
Drilled Wells: The Deep & Reliable Option
Drilled wells are what most people think of when they picture a modern residential well. Oasis Well Drilling uses specialized rotary drilling equipment to bore deep into the earth. We often go hundreds of feet deep for a drilled well in Summerville.
Cost:
- The upfront cost for a drilled well is higher. In Summerville, a new drilled well can range from $8,000 to $15,000. Sometimes it costs more. This depends on the depth as well as the geology of your property. The average residential well in South Carolina is around 175 feet deep. Drilling alone can run $25 to $65 per foot.
- This higher cost is because of the equipment. It is also because of the time it takes to go deep. In addition, it is due to materials like solid casing as well as grout that protect your water.
Durability & Lifespan:
- This is where drilled wells perform well. They reach deeper aquifers. These aquifers are typically much more stable. They are less affected by surface conditions as well as short-term droughts. For example, the Middendorf Aquifer is a major source in the SC Coastal Plain. It can be hundreds to thousands of feet deep.
- The casing as well as grout seal the well from the surface down to the water-bearing zone. This provides good protection against contamination.
- A properly constructed and maintained drilled well can last 30 to 50 years. It often lasts much longer. This is a good return on your investment for your Summerville home.
Maintenance:
- Generally, drilled wells need less frequent maintenance. This is compared to driven point wells.
- The deeper water source means better natural filtration. It also means a lower risk of surface contamination. Annual water testing is still recommended. The risk profile is much lower with a drilled well.
- Drilled wells provide more consistent water pressure as well as higher flow rates. This is important for a household's daily needs.
Appearance:
- A drilled well will have a wellhead that sticks out a foot or so above ground. It is usually protected by a cap. The pump itself is submersible. You will not see it. It is a clean, professional installation for your property.
The Summerville, SC Reality Check
Here in Summerville, we have some unique conditions. Our soil is often a mix of sand, clay, as well as sometimes limestone. Some areas might have a relatively high water table in sandy loam. This might allow for a shallow well. Many properties will need to go deeper to find a reliable, clean water source.
We also have to deal with things like the occasional hurricane or heavy rain event. A shallow well is more open to flooding as well as surface contamination in those situations. In addition, we must consider the potential for saltwater intrusion in some Lowcountry areas. This is especially true with shallow wells near the coast or tidal creeks.
For most residential applications in Summerville, a drilled well is simply the better investment. It gives you a more consistent, cleaner, as well as more abundant water supply. You are tapping into those deeper, more protected aquifers. These aquifers are not as affected by surface activities or short-term weather patterns.
Oasis Well Drilling is not going to tell you a driven point well is never an option. For a small irrigation well for a garden, or maybe a seasonal cabin, in just the right sandy spot, it might work. But for your home's primary water supply, for drinking, bathing, as well as all your daily needs, you want reliability and safety. That is a drilled well, every time.
When you are ready to talk specifics for your property, give us a call at Oasis Well Drilling. We will help you figure out the best approach. This will be based on your needs as well as what the ground beneath your feet has to offer in Summerville.