Contact Us

North

48W557 Route 64
Maple Park, IL 60151
P: 630-365-4242
F: 630-365-4244

South

3281 E 28th Rd.
Marseilles, IL 61341
P: 815-357-8300
F: 815-357-8303

Email:

info@prairiestatewater.com

 

Well Drilling

Domestic and Residential Well Drilling in Illinois

 

Old photo of a Prairie State Water local water well driller

Prairie State Water Systems Inc. has been providing quality residential well drilling to the collar counties of Chicago for over 50 years. Using reputable and quality products enables us to provide you with the best water well drilling services for any application. We utilize a variety of drilling methods, to ensure that your shallow or deep well provides the water you require.

We are a nationally certified, non-community public water supply operator and Illinois licensed water well driller. A member of the Illinois Association of Ground Water Professionals, Water Quality Association and International Union of Operation Engineers Local 150, we are qualified and ready to provide you with exceptional well drilling services.

Contact us to discuss drilling a well for your residential or domestic property. We have offices in Maple Park, IL at 630-365-4242 or Marseilles, IL at 815-357-8300.

How is a Domestic or Residential Well Constructed?

A domestic well, or a residential well, supplies non-transient populations with water for household purposes. Common non-transient water systems include residences, schools, and businesses. If you live outside of an urban area, or you are not connected to a community water system, then you will need to access groundwater for your water supply.

Wells meant for domestic or residential use must be designed to protect water from contaminates, bacteria and ground particles. Typically a cable tool or rotary-drilling machine is used to create the well. A drill hole will pass through layers of the earth to an aquifer, or underground reservoir of groundwater. If drilling occurs on unconsolidated formations, like sand or gravel, then it is required that a casing and screen are installed. The underlying geology (bedrock, sand or gravel) will slightly change the materials used in construction. Professionally trained and licensed drillers will analyze the drill cuttings to determine the appropriate placement as well as screen size. The annular space between the water well casing and borehole must then be pressure grouted in place to provide a watertight seal against surface contaminants entering the well.

A water well casing, an Illinois approved well cap or seal, extending a minimum of 8 inches above finished surface grade is applied to keep surface water and other drainage out of the water well. The cap is water tight, vermin proof, vented and removable only with tools.

Some common characteristics of domestic wells are:

  • 4 to 6 inches in diameter to complement most pumps made for residential and domestic use.
  • 125 – 300 feet deep ( but can be as much as 1000 ft )
  • The use of rotary or cable tool are the most common drilling methods.
  • The full depth of the borehole is cased with PVC or steel.
  • A well screen is used to allows water to pass through while holding back sand and gravel particles in the aquifer.

Drilled water wells are the most common form of water well construction in Illinois. Illinois enjoys a generous supply of groundwater, although it is not always evenly distributed. Depth to aquifers will vary. Interestingly, variation can occur at distances of a few feet. Illinois is fortunate to have an abundance of geological information on file at the State Water Survey and the State Geological Survey. This data comes from water well construction logs submitted by the water well construction, records to back before 1890.

Read more common questions asked about wells, pumps and well water services.

Two Prairie State Water trucks driven by Illinois licensed water well drillers

Avoiding Well Water Contaminants

Over the years, water well design has improved to reflect advances in technology and our understanding of potential pathways of contamination. There are a number of common contaminants and naturally occurring minerals that can affect your well water supply. Occupants living on a private water supply should pay careful attention to hard water and suffer smells.

Prairie State Water Systems provides water treatment and well water chlorination services in La Salle, Livingston, Kankakee, Grundy and parts of Kendall and Will Counties.

Contact our Marseilles office at 815-357-8300 to address water quality issues and gain suggestions for useful and effective water treatment methods including water softeners, iron filters and sulfur removal.

Local water well driller setting up his truck outside of a job site

Water Quality Protection

Wells of all types have specific requirements to protect owner residences from water contamination. Whether you receive your water from a private or semi-private water system, you should be aware that the well must be drilled a minimum distance from potential contaminant sources.

Some common setbacks are as follows:

  • Septic tank – 50 ft
  • Barnyard or animal confinement lot – 50 ft
  • Manure piles – 75 ft
  • Pits, crawl spaces or basements – 5 ft
  • Lakes, ponds or streams – 25 ft
  • Closed-loop (geothermal) wells (neighboring) – 75 ft or 200 ft

Prairie State Water Systems provides professional well inspections, as well as rehabilitation services, and offers water samples and water chlorination to ensure safe drinking water.

Licenses and Permits for Well Drilling in Illinois

The water well casing on all water wells must extend a minimum of 8 inches above finished grade and be finished with an Illinois approved well cap or seal that is water tight, vermin proof, vented and removable only with tools. The annular space between the water well casing and borehole must then be pressure grouted in place to provide a watertight seal against surface contaminants entering the well.

Prairie State Water Systems is a team of technicians and contractors that are Illinois licensed water well drillers. In the state of Illinois you must be licensed and attend continuing education services to construct or service a water well system.

The Illinois Water Well Construction Code, established in 1959, and the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code, established in 1972, is periodically modified to reflect industry advancements. The Illinois Dept. of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, oversees private, semi-private and non-community well systems. Illinois requires a water well permit to construct or modify a water well and sometimes to seal on (varies by county). This could include well abandonment services if you find a deteriorated or “out-of-service” well on your property. The permit is issued by the local health department upon payment of the appropriate fee and submission of a completed permit application. Generally, the licensed contractor applies for the permit on behalf of the well owner since the licensed contractor must sign the water well permit application.

After the water well is completed, the licensed contractor must complete a Construction Report and submit it to the health department. You should be provided with a copy of both these documents. Keep them along with any of the water well documents and service records you are given as they provide important information should you require service.

Two water well tanks connected to pipes inside of a building and installed by local water well drillers

Contact Us for a Free Quote