A successful well starts with the site assessment
Not every garden sits above usable groundwater. A drilled hole alone is not a dependable water supply either. Available yield, permitted use, well construction and the equipment serving the outlets must work together. This guide concerns water abstraction wells, rather than decorative fountains.
What will the water be used for?
The intended use determines the investigations needed. Garden irrigation depends particularly on demand during dry periods. A business may need a reliable hourly supply. Drinking water requires additional attention to quality and ongoing operation.
| Use | Main questions |
|---|---|
| Garden and agriculture | Irrigated area, peak demand and availability during drought |
| Process water | Required quantity, operating hours and process requirements |
| Drinking water | Water quality, protection of the source and operating arrangements |
| Groundwater heat pump | Abstraction, return and thermal effects considered together |
What can be checked before drilling?
Hydrogeological records, existing borehole logs and groundwater maps provide initial clues. They do not replace an assessment of the actual plot. A productive well next door does not guarantee the same depth or yield on your land.
Initial checks should also cover possible protection zones, buried services, rig access and working space. Establish what remains uncertain and what charges would apply if exploratory work did not identify a usable supply.
Check exploration and abstraction requirements first
Depending on the canton and project, exploratory drilling, pumping tests and subsequent abstraction may require different approvals or concessions. Check local requirements with the responsible authority before commissioning drilling. Approval to investigate does not automatically allow extraction of any desired quantity.
The quote should identify who prepares documents, submits applications and answers authority questions. A groundwater heat pump also differs from a closed-loop ground-source borehole.
Drilling, well completion and pumping work together
Drilling method and diameter depend on the ground and planned use. Screens, casing, suitable seals and a protected wellhead must form a coordinated system. Include future access for inspections and pump replacement.
After completion, the well is developed and cleared of mobilisable sand. A pumping test examines how water levels and flow respond under load. A pump’s rated output does not establish how much water the ground can sustainably supply.
Check water quality and connections
Clear water is not automatically drinking water. Appropriate testing and any treatment must reflect the intended use. The source and equipment also need maintenance and monitoring after commissioning.
Do not simply connect a private water supply to the public drinking-water network. A qualified professional must agree the necessary separation or protection with the water supplier. Allow for pipes, electricity and frost protection all the way to the actual outlets.
What affects well construction costs?
A price per drilled metre covers only part of the project. Depth, geology, completion, testing, access and connection works can change the total substantially. General online prices therefore cannot reliably establish the cost for your plot.
- Investigations and permissions. Itemise hydrogeological services, documentation, fees and responsibilities.
- Drilling and completion. Specify planned depth, rates for additional metres, materials and how unexpected ground conditions are handled.
- Water and drilling waste. Include pumping tests, water discharge, drilling sludge and disposal.
- An operational installation. Compare pump, controls, pipes, electrical work, reinstatement and VAT on the same basis.
Prepare a request that suppliers can price
- Describe the intended use. Give the irrigated area or known water demand. If the required flow has not been established, leave it for assessment.
- Use existing records. Borehole logs, studies and approvals help planning. You do not need to produce a new technical study yourself.
- Define the scope. Distinguish feasibility advice, drilling alone and a fully operational installation.
- Agree the handover documents. Include the borehole log, completion details, test results and operating instructions.
Plan for ongoing operation
Keep understandable records of flow, water levels and equipment condition. These make changes easier to recognise than isolated pump readings without an initial baseline.
Ask about maintenance access, spare parts and the operator’s responsibilities. If an existing well produces less water, start with condition assessment and possible rehabilitation rather than automatically assuming a new borehole is needed.
Frequently asked questions
How deep does my well need to be?
That depends on the usable resource and ground conditions. Water level and total well depth are different measurements. The town or village alone cannot establish a reliable depth.
Is finding water guaranteed?
No. Maps and neighbouring wells provide indications, not guarantees of usable quantity or suitable quality. Agree how unsuccessful exploration would be handled before work starts.
Can I drink water from the well?
Only if the quality, installation and operation are suitable and meet the applicable requirements. Appearance and taste do not establish this.
Do I need permission before requesting quotes?
No. You can first request investigation and design services. However, the required approvals must be obtained before the relevant works and abstraction begin.
Do I need to choose the pump myself?
No. Describe the intended use and known demand. The specialist will match the pump to the well’s yield, pipework and required pressure.
