When a New Well Makes Sense
- New construction on a lot with no public water main
- An old shallow or dug well with recurring bacteria problems
- A well with a failed casing, or one that keeps pumping sand
- A low-yield well that runs short every summer, after deepening or hydrofracturing has been considered
How Drilling Usually Goes
- Siting & permitsThe well has to be placed at the required distances from septic systems, property lines and other hazards. Local requirements vary by town, so the driller and your town or the county will confirm what applies.
- Drilling & casingSteel casing is driven through the soil and seated into bedrock, then the hole is drilled until it reaches enough water. Depth is never known in advance. It depends on the rock.
- Yield test, pump & tankThe flow is measured. Then the pump, wire, pitless adapter, pressure tank and controls are installed, and the water is tested.
Questions to Ask a Driller
- Are you registered with the NYS DEC water well driller program? (New York requires it, so ask to see it.)
- What's the per-foot rate, and what happens to the price if you hit water early or have to go deep?
- How much casing is included, and how will it be sealed?
- Is the pump, tank and trenching included, or priced separately?
- Will you provide the completion report and a yield test result?
This site doesn't drill wells itself. Calls go to local well contractors, who confirm their own credentials and availability.
Questions
How deep are wells in Orange County?
It varies a lot from one property to the next, even between neighbors. Wells in Highlands bedrock can be quite deep. A local driller who has worked nearby can give you a realistic expectation, but no one can guarantee depth in advance.
Can a weak well be fixed without drilling a new one?
Sometimes. Options include deepening the existing well, hydrofracturing to open water-bearing fractures, or adding storage so a slow well can keep up with peak use. A driller can tell you which is realistic.
Who decides where the well goes?
Placement has to meet separation distances from septic systems and other hazards, plus any local rules. The driller, your designer, and the town or county work that out before drilling.
Related Services
Well Pump Repair & Replacement
Diagnosis and replacement of submersible and jet pumps, control boxes, wiring and pressure switches.
Learn more →No Water? Emergency Well Service
Lost water? Start with a quick breaker and switch check, then call to have a pro diagnose the pump, tank or switch.
Learn more →Pressure Tanks & Switches
Waterlogged tank, rapid clicking, or pressure that pulses? Tank testing, recharging, switch and gauge replacement.
Learn more →Well Water Testing & Treatment
Lab testing for bacteria, iron, hardness, sulfur odor and more, then treatment sized to your actual results.
Learn more →Well Inspections for Home Sales
Flow and pressure testing, an equipment check, and lab water testing for buyers, sellers and lenders.
Learn more →Plan a New Well
Call or send the form with your town and what's happening.
- Tell us your town and whether you have any water at all
- Mention what you've noticed: clicking, sputtering, cloudy or smelly water
- A local well pro calls back and confirms availability and a typical price range
Request Well Service
Where This Service Is Available
Monroe, NY 10950, Chester, Warwick, Goshen, Harriman & Central Valley, Woodbury & Highland Mills, Washingtonville & Blooming Grove, Middletown, Newburgh, Florida, Pine Bush & Montgomery, plus Sugar Loaf, Greenwood Lake, Pine Island, Arden, Tuxedo, South Blooming Grove, Salisbury Mills, Cornwall and nearby communities. All service areas.