General: California has between one to two million wells of all shapes, sizes, and conditions. On the average, 10,000 to 15,000 more wells are added to this total each year. During droughts the number of water wells built each year increases temporarily.
Register: Location of a well are recorded, and each well is assigned a “State Well Number” by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The register provides information about well diameter, depth, casing depth, flow capacity, owner and driller information, drill date, water levels, others.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is able to provide water level information and well completion data at the following website: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/well_info_and_other/wells.cfm
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is able to provide groundwater elevations for many wells located within the County of Los Angles.
http://gis.dpw.lacounty.gov/wells/viewer.asp
Storage and Extraction: Groundwater levels can be calculated using the “water budget” method which is the difference between the inflow, due to precipitation and surface water imports into the basin, and the total amount of water that flows out of the basin. If there is more inflow than outflow groundwater levels will rise, and as expected during drought years, groundwater levels will decline.
Construction: The construction of a water well is prohibited at other than a safe distance from any potential source of contamination (Animal feed lots, sewer lines, septic tanks, septic disposal sites, sewage lagoons, etc); if the location is subject to flooding the well top must be two (2) feet minimum above the one hundred (100) year flood plain, otherwise a minimum of six (6) inch above the finish ground surface level suffice; if site conditions dictate that the well head will be better protected below ground surface then, the casing is terminated just below ground surface in a watertight manhole cover.
The well center line must be five (5) feet clearance from any projection of a building and never built in a basement or pits; wells should not be located closer than ten (10) feet from any property line and if built between ten (10) and twenty five (25) feet from the property line they shall require a sanitary seal (Impervious material such a cement grout or bentonite) for a minimum of thirty five (35) feet below the ground surface around the casing.
The source of water for any well shall be at least nineteen (19) feet below the surface of the ground since shallower water bearing zones are more subject to surface contamination and the well yield may diminish over time. Disinfected gravel packs (uniform, clean, rounded) shall be placed in the annular space around the screens (slotted portion of the casing allowing the passage of water) and prior completion of the well, the driller shall remove any mud, drill cuttings, or any foreign matter that will render the well useless for the intended purpose (“development of a well”), he shall also correct any damage to the aquifer, and completely disinfect the well.
Water used to drill the well must be obtained from a water supply and not from a pond, river, stream, lake, etc; the top of the well should be cut off, smooth, level, free of dents or cracks and shall be capped; surface drainage shall be diverted from the well head so that water is not allowed to stand around the casing.
License: A well driller shall possess an unexpired license to engage in the type of business for which he has applied and demonstrate a satisfactory level of competency to perform.
Depending on the State, applicants must comply with all regulatory laws and satisfactorily complete all process requirements prior a license to be issued. In General, applicants shall acquire a minimum of two years experience and have drilled at least ten (10) wells for the “right” to sit for a written exam and an oral interview prepared/conducted by the licensing board. Applicants who pass both examinations and receive a passing vote from the majority of the quorum will be recommended for licensing.
In California the Contractors State License Board issues a C57 “water well drilling contractor” license. Always check their website for current licenses status and other information http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Pump Installation: The capacity of the pump must be consistent with the intended use and yield characteristics of the well; the pump shall be conveniently located to allow easy service or removal; the base plate of the pump whether placed or not directly over the well shall be design to form a watertight seal with the well casing; the well shall be well vented to allow for pressure differentials and the vent shall be screened to prevent the entry of insects.
Register: Location of a well are recorded, and each well is assigned a “State Well Number” by the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The register provides information about well diameter, depth, casing depth, flow capacity, owner and driller information, drill date, water levels, others.
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is able to provide water level information and well completion data at the following website: http://www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/well_info_and_other/wells.cfm
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is able to provide groundwater elevations for many wells located within the County of Los Angles.
http://gis.dpw.lacounty.gov/wells/viewer.asp
Storage and Extraction: Groundwater levels can be calculated using the “water budget” method which is the difference between the inflow, due to precipitation and surface water imports into the basin, and the total amount of water that flows out of the basin. If there is more inflow than outflow groundwater levels will rise, and as expected during drought years, groundwater levels will decline.
Construction: The construction of a water well is prohibited at other than a safe distance from any potential source of contamination (Animal feed lots, sewer lines, septic tanks, septic disposal sites, sewage lagoons, etc); if the location is subject to flooding the well top must be two (2) feet minimum above the one hundred (100) year flood plain, otherwise a minimum of six (6) inch above the finish ground surface level suffice; if site conditions dictate that the well head will be better protected below ground surface then, the casing is terminated just below ground surface in a watertight manhole cover.
The well center line must be five (5) feet clearance from any projection of a building and never built in a basement or pits; wells should not be located closer than ten (10) feet from any property line and if built between ten (10) and twenty five (25) feet from the property line they shall require a sanitary seal (Impervious material such a cement grout or bentonite) for a minimum of thirty five (35) feet below the ground surface around the casing.
The source of water for any well shall be at least nineteen (19) feet below the surface of the ground since shallower water bearing zones are more subject to surface contamination and the well yield may diminish over time. Disinfected gravel packs (uniform, clean, rounded) shall be placed in the annular space around the screens (slotted portion of the casing allowing the passage of water) and prior completion of the well, the driller shall remove any mud, drill cuttings, or any foreign matter that will render the well useless for the intended purpose (“development of a well”), he shall also correct any damage to the aquifer, and completely disinfect the well.
Water used to drill the well must be obtained from a water supply and not from a pond, river, stream, lake, etc; the top of the well should be cut off, smooth, level, free of dents or cracks and shall be capped; surface drainage shall be diverted from the well head so that water is not allowed to stand around the casing.
License: A well driller shall possess an unexpired license to engage in the type of business for which he has applied and demonstrate a satisfactory level of competency to perform.
Depending on the State, applicants must comply with all regulatory laws and satisfactorily complete all process requirements prior a license to be issued. In General, applicants shall acquire a minimum of two years experience and have drilled at least ten (10) wells for the “right” to sit for a written exam and an oral interview prepared/conducted by the licensing board. Applicants who pass both examinations and receive a passing vote from the majority of the quorum will be recommended for licensing.
In California the Contractors State License Board issues a C57 “water well drilling contractor” license. Always check their website for current licenses status and other information http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
Pump Installation: The capacity of the pump must be consistent with the intended use and yield characteristics of the well; the pump shall be conveniently located to allow easy service or removal; the base plate of the pump whether placed or not directly over the well shall be design to form a watertight seal with the well casing; the well shall be well vented to allow for pressure differentials and the vent shall be screened to prevent the entry of insects.
