How to Drive a Shallow Point Well

Shallow wells are easy to install and can be great if you live in an area that has a high water table. Often called a shallow point well because it is made by drilling a well point into the soil, it fills galvanized pipes that you attach to it. Then you can use a hand pump or some other small pump to pull the water up and out for you to use.

Things You'll Need

• Well point
• Couplings
• Galvanized steel pipe
• Drive cap

Instructions

1. Mark out spots that you need to stay clear of. You will want to stay at least 100 feet away from areas that contain septic tanks, sewer lines, garbage dumps or utility lines. If you are uncertain of where utility lines are, call your utility company to come mark them.

2. DIg a hole to start your shallow point well. It should be about 6 inches wide and go into the dirt about 2 or 3 feet.

3. Attach a length of galvanized steel pipe to your well point using a coupling. TIghten your coupling. Place a drive cap on the end of your galvanized pipe.

4. Put the tip of your well point in your hole. A well point is similar to a long , thin metal stick with a point at the end and can be purchased at most home maintenance stores. Hit the end with a sledgehammer until the well point is completely hidden and all you see is the pipe. The pipe should be extending about a foot out of the ground. Make sure that the pipe does not have holes in it as that will make it more difficult to pump out the water. Attach more galvanized pipe with coupling and continue to drive it into the ground. The drive cap that you attached to the pipe will help it to maintain its shape as you drive it down. Stop when you are at least 5 feet under the water level.

5. Push a long pipe up and down through the piping to get rid of anything that is clogging it up. There may be grit, sand, or rocks blocking the pipe. Leave enough pipe out to attach a hand cistern

6. Follow the manufacturers directions on how to install your pump onto the exposed end of your steel pipe. Make sure to test the cistern before using the water from it. You could also opt for a small mechanical pump as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to go through deep enough so that you can account for days when your water level is lower than normal.

• Make sure that your pump fits the sizes of your galvanized steel piping.

References

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Driven point well