Residential Drilling FAQs
Find clear answers to common questions and gain insights to make informed decisions.
Well Drilling—Start to Finish
Permit & Site Evaluation
Contact your County Health Department to obtain a well permit and determine the well location. Schedule a free on-site evaluation with our team to review your property and discuss site conditions.
Well Location Planning
Our representative considers your home, driveway, septic system, property lines, and future plans to ensure proper placement in compliance with Virginia Department of Health requirements.
Cost & Contract
We provide a detailed estimate based on geological conditions and average well depths. A contract outlines services and rates and protects both you and Rorrer Well Drilling Inc. We also provide a proposed drilling schedule and stake out the well location.
Water & Pump System Requirements
We assess your current and future water needs to design a system tailored to your property.
Drilling Process
Most wells are drilled in 1–2 days. Casing (PVC or steel) is installed to prevent soil collapse. After drilling, the well is developed to remove fine sediment, pressure-grouted, and sealed with a watertight cap exceeding Virginia Department of Health standards.
Pump Installation & Water Testing
After designing the pump system, we schedule installation. Once complete, we collect a water sample for state-approved testing.
Operations Permit
After receiving a satisfactory water test, we submit the results and a Uniform Water Well Completion Report to the Health Department, which issues the operations permit for your well.
Residential Drilling Frequently Asked Questions
A: Contact your County Health Department for a well permit and location approval. We offer a free site evaluation to help determine the best location.
A: Consider surface landscape, geology, and hydrogeology. Ensure accessibility for equipment, avoiding power lines, trees, and steep inclines. Contact Miss Utility to mark the property. Drilling can be done year-round if the site is accessible. For new construction, drilling before building ensures water availability during construction.
A: Don’t base your choice on cost alone. Ensure the driller is licensed, insured, experienced in local geology, and offers a warranty in writing. Check if services are performed in-house and review certifications and reputation.
A: Factors include well depth, casing type and amount, distance to the dwelling, water usage, and any filtration or softening equipment needed.
A: Depth depends on local geology and hydrogeology. Water comes from aquifers, and the actual depth is determined during construction when sufficient water is encountered.
A: Water quantity and quality can only be confirmed after well completion and pump installation. During drilling, we provide estimates and monitor the water encountered.
A: Consider personal use, irrigation, sprinklers, pools, spas, guests, and livestock. A guideline is ~100 gallons per person per day.
A: Pump size is custom-designed based on water usage, well depth, flow rate, and static level to meet system demands.
A: After well construction, the pump is sized and installed. Temporary water can be provided during construction if needed.
A: Many minerals dissolve naturally in water. Filtration or softening is often added. We offer a complimentary water quality test after pump installation to determine additional needs.
A: A Uniform Water Well Completion Report and satisfactory bacteriological water test are required before the Department issues an operations permit.