Do you need a water well for the new home you’re building? Does your existing well or pumping equipment need to be replaced? Here is some helpful information to assist you when hiring a water well driller or pump installer.
Michigan’s well construction code is based on the public health principle that if a well is properly located, constructed of suitable materials, and pumping equipment is correctly installed, the water system should provide a safe, reliable supply of water.
Some counties have ordinances that are more stringent than the state well construction code and all counties require that a permit be obtained before drilling a well or performing major repairs. Permits are required by state law for most wells that serve to the public or private citizens. Check with your county health department before proceeding.
The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) registers water well drilling contractors and pump installers. Minimum experience qualifications and an extensive examination help ensure that only knowledgeable individuals become registered.
A new well and pump costs several thousand dollars. Before deciding who to hire, do a little homework to compare quality and value. It will be time “well” spent. To verify if a contractor is registered, ask to see a current registration certificate. State registration can be verified online by visiting the EGLE Directory of Registered Contractors.
Check the contractor’s reputation by contacting past customers. Find out if the contractor completed the work satisfactorily and in a timely manner. A reputable contractor will have no objection to giving you a list of customers’ names upon request.
Records of other wells completed in your vicinity are an indicator of what you can expect.
