FINDING GROUND WATER

The amount and quality of ground water in an area can depend on yearly rainfall, geologic conditions, topography, distance to nearby wells, and surface water supply. You can learn about the quantity and quality of well water in your area from local water well constructors help you estimate well depth, yield, and cost.

WATER WELL REPORTS
(WELL LOGS)

Another useful tool for learning about your local ground water is the water well report, often called a "well log." Well logs are prepared by the well driller as required by Oregon water law. Well logs provide information on geologic formations encountered in a well and list details concerning well design, construction, and yields. They are a basic tool used in checking for ground water availability. 
The Water Resources Department has well logs for most of the water wells drilled in Oregon since 1955. However, the likelihood of finding records for wells drilled after 1970 is much higher than for older wells. Well logs are available on the Department's Internet website: www.wrd.state.or.us

From the home page, select "Access Well Logs" or "GRID-Web." There are numerous ways to query the information. One of the most useful ways is to search under Township, Range, and Section. The data for all of the wells in the section(s) will be displayed onscreen. For effective searches, use a unique identifier, such as the original owner's name, tax lot information, street address, or age of well. You may view an image of the well log if you have a TIFF viewer on your computer, typically provided with systems like Microsoft Windows 95 and 98. 

WATER WITCHES

Water witches or "dowsers" claim to predict the presence of water with hand-held tools such as forked twigs or metal rods. Since there is no
scientific basis to dowsing, most geologists do not recommend the practice. Although most water witches charge only a modest fee, the
U.S. Geological Survey and National Ground Water Association advise against employing a water witch to search for ground water. 

ESTIMATING YOUR WATER NEEDS 

Once you know ground water is available, you must estimate how much water you need. To estimate your daily peak water demand, add the appropriate quantities of water for all uses which would likely occur on the day of the year in which water needs would be highest. Peak demand in the home normally occurs at the beginning of the day, at bedtime, or during laundry or irrigation uses. The following guide will help you determine peak demand. 

 

Type of Use	Gallons per Day
Dwellings:
Single family (per person)	50-75
Multiple-family apartments (per person)	40
Estate units (per person)	65-150
Lawn and garden	50-1,000
Livestock (drinking per animal):
Cattle/steer	12
Dairy (plus maintenance)	35
Goat	2
Hog	4
Horse/mule	12
Sheep	2
Poultry:
Chickens (per 100)	5-10
Turkeys (per 100)	10-18

        
Some domestic water systems are designed to store water during times of low demand (such as night time). This stored water can be used later to supply water during peak demand (laundry, lawn watering). An experienced pump installer or plumbing contractor can plan a water system based on your needs and water source. In contrast to a domestic well, an irrigation well must be able to produce water at
steady high rates for extended periods of time. Irrigation systems must be carefully designed to minimize pumping costs and to prevent
excessive drawdown of the well. 

LOCATING YOUR WELL

Water well constructors have local knowledge and experience with state regulations; they can help you site your well.  The following standards apply to the placement of wells: 

• Locate the well away from septic tanks, sewage disposal areas (such as a drain field), and other sources of contamination such as stock yards, storm sewers, privies, or refuse dumps. The minimum distances
of 50 feet from septic tanks and 100 feet from sewage disposal areas are required by the well construction rules. Soil type and topography in your area may require greater distances. 

• Increase the distances in areas of highly permeable formations (i.e. sand and gravel). 

• Run drainage away from the well on all sides; divert up-slope drainage away from hillside wells. 

• Locate the well above (higher in grade) disposal areas if possible. 

• Locate the well far enough from buildings to allow easy access during
maintenance, repair, testing, or redrilling. Remember to plan future well construction or repairs before building a shelter around the well. 

• Locate the well in an area free from flooding or plan extra precautions to protect it. 

• Site your well as far as possible from neighboring wells. When wells are close together, they can interfere with each other and produce less water. 

• Site your well a safe distance from your property line. This will prevent difficulties with neighboring septic systems and boundary line inaccuracies. After legal requirements, the main consideration in
locating your well is convenience. If conditions allow, locate the well near where you will use the water and near a power source.

Contact your county health and planning departments for additional well location and permit requirements before you drill. 

OBTAINING WATER RIGHTS

Under Oregon law, all ground water is considered a public resource. With some exceptions, anyone intending to use ground water must first obtain a permit from the Water Resources Department. 

In general, a ground water permit must be obtained before using water from any of these sources: 

• A well. 

• Any artificial opening in the ground. 

• An artificially altered natural opening (may not include developing a natural spring). 

• Tile lines placed beneath the surface. 

• A sump. The following uses of ground water do not require a water right permit. 

• Group and single-family domestic use up to 15,000 gallons per day. 

• Stock watering. 

• Watering any lawn and/or non-commercial garden totaling one-half
acre or less in area. 

• Down-hole heat exchangers. 

• Any single industrial or commercial development up to 5,000 gallons per day. 

These exempted uses are on a per-property or per-development basis and cannot be increased. For example, you cannot double the amount
exempted from filing by adding a second well. 

A number of Oregon counties also require permits for certain developments. Contact your county government for local rules. 

For uses requiring a water right, you must file an application with the Department, including a map of the proposed site to be developed. The application review takes about eight months. This time lapse allows the Department to examine the application and allows an
opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed use. If the proposed use is granted, well construction must begin within one year
from the date the permit is issued. Contact the Water Resources Department for application forms, a list of Certified Water Right
Examiners, and a copy of state well construction and mainenance standards and regulations. 

The Oregon Water Resources Commission is responsible for managing ground water to prevent depletion of the resource. In many
areas, high demand on the ground water supply has required that new uses be restricted or prohibited. The uses which may be affected can
also include those for which water rights are not required. Before making any expenditures on a planned well, you should consult with the
Department to confirm that your planned use of water is permitted by the Department. (District Watermaster offices are listed at the end of this brochure.) 

WELL CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS

Oregon's well construction standards are designed to protect the ground water resource and the public. They help prevent contamination
of the well or aquifer by surface and subsurface leakage which may carry harmful chemicals or bacteria, and they help prevent physical injury and waste of water. 

You should check the constructor's performance and materials to be sure they meet each item in your contract, if you have one. 

In some cases, due to site conditions, it may not be possible to construct or abandon a well in a manner that meets the minimum state standards. When the minimum construction standards cannot be met, the person responsible for drilling, altering, or abandoning the well must
obtain a "variance" from the Department. The variance allowing exception from the standards must be obtained before completing the work and must adequately protect the ground water resource. The cost of a well is not a compelling reason to grant a variance. 

The following are some items you should track as your well is constructed. well depth can be measured by using a weighted line. The depth should be close to the depth recorded on the required well log. 

CASING is steel or plastic pipe installed to prevent the borehole from caving in and to seal the upper portion of the well. The total length of casing used should be the same as that recorded on the well log. 

SEALING the space between the borehole and the casing helps prevent commingling or contamination of the aquifer. The seal should be placed in one continuous operation from the bottom upward. A proper seal consists of neat cement (cement and water) or bentonite (a dry clay) which extends from the ground surface to the depth required by the construction standards that apply to the particular well. State rules require a minimum 18-foot seal. 

COMMINGLING occurs when a well draws water from more than one water-bearing formation. In no case shall a well be constructed to tap into multiple ground water sources. 

DEVELOPMENT involves vigorously pumping the well to help clean out drill cuttings and to maximize production of the well. Development should result in a well which produces sand-free or mud-free water when operated properly. 

OPENINGS—All wells must have an access port for measuring the water level or a pressure gauge for measuring artesian pressure. The access port must be unobstructed. If an airline is installed for measuring the water level, it must not block the access port. Make sure the access port is capped and that all other openings are plugged, sealed, or designed to prevent surface water from entering the well casing. 

TOP TERMINAL HEIGHT—The casing head or pitless unit of any well must extend twelve inches above the finished ground surface or pumphouse floor, and twelve inches above the local surface runoff level. 

YIELD TEST—The driller will conduct a yield test to see how much water the well produces. One of these methods is used: pump, air, or bailer. The static water level, the date, the drawdown at the end of the test period, the pumping rate, and the length of the test period are recorded on the well log. Note whether the water level stabilized during the test. A one-hour minimum yield test is required upon completion of every well. Oregon law requires owners of wells requiring a water right (usually large industrial or irrigation wells) to conduct a well pump test once every ten years and report the results to the Department. 

WELL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER—A stainless steel label, preprinted with an assigned number, should be attached to the well casing within 30 days of well construction. This unique number identifies your well and will be used to track any future modifications to the well. Please do
not remove this label. 

WELL LOG—You should receive a copy of your water well report (well log) from the water well constructor. You may also be able to obtain a copy on the Department's website under "GRID-Web" or by contacting the Department. Keep your copy of the well log. This is one of the more important records of your property. 

SELECTING A WATER WELL CONSTRUCTOR

Be sure to choose a water well constructor who is licensed and bonded to construct water wells in Oregon. Names of local water well constructors are available from the following sources: 

• The Water Resources Department's central office or your district watermaster. 

• The Oregon Ground Water Association. 

• Your local telephone directory. 

• Your neighbors. 

• Through the Department's website.

You can check a constructor's qualifications by talking with them and their former customers. The Department also maintains records which
may show if a formal enforcement action was ever taken against a constructor. 

You may want to ask the following types of questions before selecting the constructor for your well: 

• Do they have a valid well constructor's license and bond? 

• How long have they been in business and constructing wells? 

• For whom have they recently drilled wells? 

• Will they provide a written agreement or contract which sets down an understanding of the work to be performed? 

• Are details and costs of well construction included? 

• Are the following items in the checklist mutually agreed upon?

CHECKLIST

This checklist will help ensure there is agreement between you and the well constructor about what is to be done. All of the items below should be addressed. 

DRILLING YOUR OWN WELL

A water well is much more than just a hole in the ground. To prevent ground water contamination, a well must be constructed using proper methods and equipment. Licensed and bonded water well constructors have the equipment, knowledge, and experience required for proper well construction. For this reason, the Department discourages landowners from drilling a well by themselves. 

If you decide to drill, alter, or abandon a water well by yourself on your own property, you will have two responsibilities: 

1. Obtain a Landowner's Water Well Permit from the Department. You must submit an application, file a $2,000 landowner's bond, and a $25 application fee. 

2. Construct, alter, or abandon the well according to ground water law and the general standards for construction and maintenance of water wells in Oregon. 

You may obtain an application for a Landowner's Water Well Permit, a bond form, and a copy of current state well construction standards and regulations from the Department. 

A landowner who desires to deviate from the minimum well construction standards must obtain a variance (allowing exception from the standards) from the Department prior to completing the work. 

PURCHASING AND INSTALLING A PUMP

Well pumps are sold by pump dealers, some water well constructors, plumbing supply dealers, and various retail outlets. The water well constructor can tell you the well production and drawdown of the yield test. Using this information and the well diameter, you can select a pump to meet your water needs. The delivery system should produce enough water while using as little energy as possible. Selecting a pump with a capacity greater than the well yield can cause problems, such as muddy or sandy water, pump failure, or even well failure. 

Several types and sizes of pumps are used in domestic wells. Each has certain advantages, depending on the depth to water, the size of the well, and the amount of water needed. Your pump supplier can recommend the best type and size for your needs. Selection of a pump too large for your well has no advantages and may damage your well. 

MAINTAINING YOUR WELL

ABANDONING YOUR WELL

Unused wells that are not properly abandoned can cause ground water contamination, waste, or loss of artesian pressure. Ultimately, landowners can be held responsible for harm to the ground water resource resulting from old or unused wells. Oregon's well abandonment standards are designed to prevent contamination of the well or aquifer by surface and subsurface leakage which may carry harmful chemicals or bacteria. The standards also seek to prevent
physical injury, waste of water and loss of artesian pressure. The Water Resources Department has minimum standards that describe the acceptable methods for two types of well abandonment. 

temporary abandonment — A well is considered temporarily abandoned when it is taken out of service but still exists. Owners of
temporarily abandoned wells intend to bring them back into service at a future date. Temporarily abandoned wells must be covered by a watertight cap or seal which prevents any materials from entering the well. 

permanent abandonment — A well is considered permanently abandoned when it is completely filled so that movement of water
within the well is permanently stopped. With the exception of hand-dug wells, a permanent abandonment must be performed by a licensed
water well constructor, or the landowner under a Landowner's Water Well Permit. 

The appropriate permanent abandonment method will depend on information obtained from an examination of the well log and an
onsite investigation of the well. Generally, a drilled well with steel or plastic casing will be abandoned by either removing or ripping the
casing and filling the borehole with cement from the bottom up. Any pump, wiring, or debris in the well must be removed before the
cement is placed. 

If a review of the well log indicates that the well is a filter or gravel-packed well (where pea gravel is used to screen out loose geologic material in the well), the Department must preapprove any abandonment method. A greater potential exists for harm to the ground water resource from incorrect abandonment of this type of well due to the artificial gravel-pack material. 

If a hand-dug well is to be abandoned, you must notify the Department and obtain approval for the abandonment method before beginning the
abandonment. Typically, a hand-dug well free of debris may be abandoned by filling the well with cement or concrete to above the
water-bearing zone and then clean fill (not gravel) to land surface. Hand-dug wells containing debris may be subject to other abandonment methods. 

For more specific information about well abandonment, contact a well constructor or the Department. 

SHARING WATER

If you plan to construct a well to serve more than one household, a carefully drawn agreement should be negotiated. Generally, legal advice is sought for such an important document between water users and well owners. The agreement should address these questions: 

Who will maintain the well? 

Who may access the well for maintenance? 

Under what conditions can the property on which the well is located be bought and sold? 

How will power costs and water availability be shared? 

What is each party's interest or right to use the water? 

What type of organization will manage operation of the well now and in the future? 

How will costs of well reconstruction or pump replacement be
shared? Consult with your lending institution about their restrictions on lending for shared wells.

LENDING INSTITUTIONS

If you need help financing your new well, check with lending institutions in your area before you look for a well constructor. Some lenders have
specific requirements for well production, water quality, and well depth, and may have standards for sharing wells with one or more neighbors. 

Several types of loans for well construction are available. The cost of a well may be included in a loan for construction of a home. Sometimes
interim loans are needed to cover the cost of the well until you receive financing for home construction. These are available from a variety
of lending institutions. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION