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

Need a reliable water source on your property? Our team drills wells that are built to last, providing clean, dependable water for your home, farm, or business across Illinois.

Why Choose a Licensed Illinois Well Drilling Contractor?

 

Old photo of a Prairie State Water local water well driller

Prairie State Water Systems Inc. has been a trusted provider of residential and domestic well drilling services in Illinois for over 50 years. proudly serving the collar counties of Chicago. Our team uses only high-quality, reliable products to deliver top-tier water well drilling solutions for both shallow and deep well applications.

We employ a variety of professional drilling methods to ensure your water well meets your household’s specific needs. Whether you’re in need of a new well installation or replacing an existing system, we provide efficient, dependable service every step of the way.

Prairie State Water Systems Inc. holds three Illinois state licenses and is a nationally certified non-community public water supply operator. We are proud members of the Illinois Association of Ground Water Professionals, the Water Quality Association, and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, demonstrating our commitment to industry standards and customer satisfaction.

Ready to work with an Illinois Licensed Well Drilling Contractor? Call our experts today for a free quote: 630-365-4242 (North Office) or 815-357-8300 (South Office)

How is a Domestic or Residential Well Constructed?

A domestic water well, also known as a residential well, supplies water for household use to non-transient populations—such as those in homes, schools, and small businesses. If you live in a rural area or are not connected to a municipal or community water system, you’ll need to access groundwater through a private well.

To ensure safe and clean water, residential well construction must follow specific guidelines that protect against contaminants, bacteria, and sediment. A well is typically drilled using a rotary or cable tool drilling rig, which bores down through soil and rock layers to reach an aquifer—an underground water reservoir.

In unconsolidated formations like sand or gravel, a casing and well screen are essential. These components prevent debris from entering the well and ensure a consistent water flow. A licensed Illinois well driller will analyze the geology and drill cuttings to determine the best casing depth and screen placement. To protect water quality, the space between the well casing and the borehole—known as the annular space—is pressure grouted to create a watertight seal that blocks surface contaminants.

Once the casing is installed, an Illinois-approved well cap or seal is attached. This cap must extend at least 8 inches above the finished surface grade and be watertight, vermin-proof, vented, and removable only with tools. This is critical for protecting your residential groundwater supply.

Typical characteristics of residential wells in Illinois include:

  • 4 to 6 inches in diameter, suitable for most home-use pumps
  • 125 to 300 feet deep, though depths can exceed 1,000 feet
  • Full-depth casing, often PVC or steel, to support the well structure
  • Well screens that allow water flow while filtering sand and gravel
  • Use of rotary or cable tool drilling methods for optimal results

Drilled water wells are the most common type in Illinois due to the state’s extensive groundwater availability. However, groundwater levels and aquifer depths can vary dramatically—even within a few feet. Fortunately, Illinois benefits from a wealth of geological and hydrological data archived by the Illinois State Water Survey and the State Geological Survey, with well construction records dating back to the late 1800s.

Want to learn more? Explore common questions about wells, pumps, and well water systems.

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 Water Well Drilling in Illinois

In the state of Illinois, water well drilling must comply with strict regulations to ensure the safety and quality of your groundwater supply. Every residential or domestic well must feature a water well casing that extends a minimum of 8 inches above the finished surface grade and is topped with an Illinois-approved well cap or seal. This cap must be watertight, vermin-proof, vented, and removable only with tools. Additionally, the annular space between the well casing and the borehole must be pressure grouted to form a watertight barrier that prevents contaminants from entering the well.

At Prairie State Water Systems, our team consists of Illinois licensed water well drillers and contractors. In Illinois, it is legally required that anyone constructing or servicing a water well be properly licensed and participate in continuing education to remain compliant with state standards.

The Illinois Water Well Construction Code (established in 1959) and the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code (established in 1972) are regularly updated to reflect advances in drilling technology and public health standards. These codes are enforced by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Division of Environmental Health, which oversees private, semi-private, and non-community well systems throughout the state.

To construct, modify, or sometimes seal a well (depending on county regulations), a water well permit is required. This includes services such as well abandonment if you have a deteriorated or non-functional well on your property. Permits are issued by your local health department after submitting a completed application and the required fee. In most cases, the licensed well contractor will apply for the permit on behalf of the property owner, as their signature is required.

Once your well is constructed, the licensed contractor must submit a Well Construction Report to the local health department. As the well owner, you should receive copies of both the permit and the construction report. These documents, along with any water well service records, are important to keep for future maintenance or compliance needs.

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

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