Question 1

How deep does a water well need to be in New England?

Accepted Answer

Well depth in New England varies widely based on local geology, topographical elevation, and bedrock fracture density. The vast majority of residential bedrock wells across Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire are completed between 200 and 500 feet deep. In high-elevation or crystalline granite formations, wells may occasionally reach 600 to 800+ feet to intersect productive water-bearing fractures. Every well requires a minimum of 40 feet of heavy-wall 6-inch ASTM A53 steel casing driven securely into solid bedrock using a hardened steel drive shoe to seal out shallow surface run-off. Additionally, a 6-inch diameter borehole stores approximately 1.5 gallons of clean water per linear foot, providing substantial in-ground standing reserve storage even during periods of low fracture replenishment.

Question 2

How much does it cost to drill a water well in MA & NH?

Accepted Answer

Turnkey residential water well installation in Massachusetts and New Hampshire typically ranges between $7,500 and $16,000+, depending on total drilling depth, depth to competent bedrock, and pump sizing requirements. The complete cost structure includes: per-foot bedrock drilling ($38–$55/ft depending on geological formation), certified 6-inch steel casing with a welded drive shoe seated into solid ledge, state-approved sanitary locking well cap, excavation and trenching below the 4-foot frost line, a premium Goulds or Franklin Electric submersible pump with downhole safety torque arrestors, an Amtrol Well-X-Trol pre-pressurized diaphragm tank, Square D heavy-duty pressure switch, and municipal Board of Health inspection filing. We provide transparent, itemized written estimates following site evaluation — call us at 978-453-8200.

Question 3

How long does the well drilling and pump installation process take?

Accepted Answer

Under normal geological conditions, drilling a residential bedrock well (300–500 ft) is completed in 1 to 2 business days using modern high-pressure air rotary drill rigs. Once drilling and air-lift yield testing are complete, pump installation and trenching typically require 1 additional day. This involves excavating a 4.5-foot deep trench to bury the polyethylene water line below New England frost penetration, mounting the brass pitless adapter to the steel casing, lowering the submersible pump downhole on certified drop pipe, setting the pressure tank in your basement or utility room, and completing electrical tie-ins. Finally, a 48-hour certified state laboratory potability water sample is processed for municipal Board of Health occupancy sign-off.

Question 4

What is hydrofracturing and when is it recommended?

Accepted Answer

Hydrofracturing is a proven, chemical-free geological stimulation procedure used to dramatically increase water yield in low-producing bedrock wells. Using an inflatable mechanical isolation packer lowered hundreds of feet into the borehole, we inject clean, potable water under controlled hydraulic pressures between 2,500 and 3,500 PSI. This hydraulic force expands existing bedrock fractures, flushes out obstructive mineral silt, iron precipitate, and rock flour, and inter-connects tight fissures with larger regional water-bearing veins. Hydrofracturing achieves a 2x to 5x+ yield increase in over 95% of New England bedrock wells, frequently transforming dry or marginal 0.5 GPM wells into reliable 5 to 10+ GPM domestic water supplies without having to drill a replacement borehole.

Question 5

Do you offer emergency well pump service and no-water dispatch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ogden Wells provides 7-day-a-week priority emergency service across Eastern Massachusetts, Middlesex County, Essex County, Worcester County, and Southern New Hampshire. Our mobile service fleet features dedicated boom hoist crane trucks fully stocked with Goulds and Franklin Electric submersible pumps (1/2 HP through 5+ HP), pre-charged Well-X-Trol bladder tanks, heavy-duty pressure switches, check valves, and digital control boxes. Because our trucks carry complete replacement inventory, our licensed technicians resolve over 90% of emergency pump failures, broken drop pipes, and pressure tank leaks on the very first visit. Call 978-453-8200 or 1-800-339-9051 for immediate dispatch.

Question 6

What drilling and pump installation licenses do you hold?

Accepted Answer

T.J. Ogden Co., Inc. (Ogden Wells) holds Master Well Driller and Pump Installer licenses across multiple states: Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (MA DCR Driller License #285), New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES Licensed Driller & Pump Contractor), Rhode Island DEM, Maine DEP, and New York DEC. Our drilling supervisors maintain active certifications with the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and are proud standing members of the Massachusetts Ground Water Association (MGWA). Every project is installed in strict compliance with state plumbing codes, electrical safety standards, and municipal health regulations.

Question 7

My well water smells like rotten eggs — what causes this and how is it fixed?

Accepted Answer

A rotten egg odor is caused by hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) in the water supply. In New England private wells, this odor usually stems from one of two sources: harmless naturally occurring sulfur-reducing bacteria living in low-oxygen bedrock fissures, or a chemical reaction between high-sulfate groundwater and the sacrificial magnesium anode rod inside your domestic water heater. We perform an on-site thermal diagnostic test to isolate whether the odor exists on cold water (subsurface aquifer issue) or hot water only (water heater reaction). Treatment solutions range from replacing magnesium anode rods with powered titanium/aluminum-zinc rods to installing whole-house Air Injection Oxidizing (AIO) catalytic carbon filtration systems that eliminate hydrogen sulfide, iron, and manganese without chlorine or chemical regeneration.

Question 8

Do you drill geothermal heat pump wells in addition to water wells?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Through our specialized geothermal division — Geothermal Drilling of New England (GDNE) — we have engineered and installed hundreds of commercial, institutional, and residential geothermal ground heat exchangers across New England since 1997. We drill both deep Standing Column Wells (SCW) in crystalline bedrock and vertical closed-loop borefields equipped with IGSHPA-certified HDPE piping. We have drilled flagship clean energy borefields for Harvard University, Nichols College, and municipal net-zero facilities. To learn more about ground-source drilling, visit geothermalma.net or call our specialized geothermal engineering desk at 1-800-339-9051.

Question 9

What types of drilling rigs and well configurations do you support?

Accepted Answer

We operate both advanced high-pressure air rotary drill rigs and downhole pneumatic hammer systems capable of cutting through the toughest New England granite, schist, and basalt formations. Our capabilities include: deep residential bedrock wells (6-inch diameter), high-capacity commercial and agricultural irrigation wells (8-inch to 12-inch diameter), sand and gravel wells with custom slotted stainless steel screens, municipal exploratory test borings, groundwater observation wells, and geothermal standing column arrays. Our drilling rigs are equipped with sound-attenuated compressors and dust/mud containment systems designed for minimum disturbance on established residential lawns.

Question 10

What written warranties and equipment guarantees do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We install premium, American-made commercial-grade groundwater equipment backed by written manufacturer and contractor warranties. New submersible pumps (Goulds and Franklin Electric) carry 5-year manufacturer replacement warranties. Amtrol Well-X-Trol pre-pressurized diaphragm tanks carry 5- to 7-year replacement warranties. All downhole pipe joints, bronze pitless adapters, brass tank manifolds, and sanitary seals carry our comprehensive 1-year Ogden Wells craftsmanship guarantee. In addition, all newly drilled bedrock boreholes are documented with certified state well completion logs detailing geological formations, casing depths, and test pumping recovery curves.

Question 11

How long does a water well and submersible pump system last?

Accepted Answer

The structural components of a properly constructed bedrock well — specifically the 6-inch ASTM steel casing, drive shoe, and bedrock borehole — have a lifespan exceeding 50 to 100 years. Submersible well pumps are engineered for demanding continuous duty and typically deliver 12 to 18+ years of reliable service before motor or impeller wear occurs. Captive-air pressure tanks generally last 10 to 14 years before the internal butyl diaphragm experiences elastic fatigue. Performing preventative annual electrical amp-draw checks, pressure switch contact cleaning, and air pre-charge adjustments will maximize the lifespan of your mechanical equipment and prevent unexpected mid-winter pump failures.

Question 12

Is private well water safe to drink in New England, and how often should it be tested?

Accepted Answer

While New England groundwater is generally of excellent natural purity, private well water is not monitored by municipal public water suppliers. Common geological and water chemistry parameters in our region include naturally occurring Arsenic (frequently detected in the Merrimack River Valley and Southern NH), Radon gas in water, Uranium, iron, manganese, low pH acidic water (which leaches toxic copper and lead from household plumbing), and PFAS/PFOA compounds. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and NHDES recommend testing private well water through a state-certified laboratory every 12 months for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for a comprehensive inorganic chemical, heavy metal, and radon panel.

Question 13

Do I need a town permit to drill a well, and what are the setback requirements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and throughout New England, drilling a new or replacement water well requires an approved permit from the local municipal Board of Health (BOH) or building department prior to breaking ground. State regulations and municipal bylaws enforce mandatory sanitary separation setback distances: typically 100 feet from septic tank absorption fields (leach beds), 50 feet from tight septic tanks and sewer mains, 10 to 25 feet from property boundary lines, 25 feet from public roadways, and 10 to 25 feet from building foundations. Ogden Wells handles all municipal permit applications, site plan reviews, setback verifications, and post-drilling regulatory filings on your behalf.

Question 14

What is the difference between a bedrock well and a gravel well?

Accepted Answer

A bedrock well (the most common type in New England) is drilled through the loose surface overburden (clay, sand, till) and seated into solid bedrock. Water enters the borehole through natural fractures and fissures deep in the rock formation. The borehole itself acts as an in-ground storage reservoir holding 1.5 gallons of water per foot. A gravel well (or screen well) is installed in unconsolidated, permeable sand and gravel aquifers typically found along ancient river valleys and glacial outwash plains. Instead of drilling into solid ledge, a specialized stainless steel continuous-slot screen is placed at the bottom of the casing in the water-bearing gravel layer, allowing water to flow in freely while filtering out fine sand. Gravel wells are shallower (often 50–150 ft) and can yield extraordinary flow rates (50 to 500+ GPM).

Question 15

How does a submersible well pump and pressure tank system work together?

Accepted Answer

A modern private water system operates automatically on water pressure differential. A multi-stage submersible pump sits deep below the water level in the well casing. When you open a faucet, pressurized water is pushed out of your basement pressure tank, which contains an internal butyl diaphragm separating water from compressed air. As water leaves the tank, system pressure steadily drops. When pressure reaches the "cut-in" threshold (typically 30 or 40 PSI), the electromechanical Square D pressure switch closes, sending 230V electricity to the submersible pump. The pump pushes water from the well up through the underground line and refills the tank. When pressure reaches the "cut-out" threshold (50 or 60 PSI), the switch opens, shutting off the pump until water is used again.

New England Groundwater Fleet

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