New Water Well Drilling Near Portland, Oregon
A good well starts with where it goes. Here is how drillers pick the spot, what the state requires and what you'll get in writing when the job is done.
Around Canby, Estacada and nearby
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.
Picking the spot
Oregon's construction standards set minimum distances for a new water supply well:
- 5 feet from the house or any permanent structure, including a deck or roof overhang that would block the rig.
- 50 feet from a septic tank.
- 50 feet from closed sewer or storm drain lines.
- 100 feet from a septic drain field.
The state also suggests keeping at least 100 feet from a neighbor's well, and placing the well uphill of the septic system where the lot allows. Avoid low spots that flood, and run surface water away from the wellhead on every side.
What the driller looks up first
OWRD's online well report database shows wells already drilled near your address: how deep they went, what rock and gravel they passed through and how much water they produced. A driller who has worked in your area will often know the answers already, and can use them to estimate depth and cost.
Before spending money, the state also recommends confirming that a new well and the use you plan are allowed where you live, since some areas limit new groundwater use.
Casing, seal and wellhead
Casing is the pipe that holds the hole open. The seal fills the space around the casing near the surface, so rain and runoff can't travel down the outside of the pipe into your water.
Oregon requires the seal to reach at least 18 feet, or 5 feet into a solid layer, whichever is deeper. The finished casing must stick up at least a foot above the ground or the pump-house floor, and stay at least 12 inches above the level where surface water runs.
The flow test
Once the well is drilled, it is pumped and measured. Ask for three numbers: the water level before pumping (static level), how far it drops while pumping (drawdown) and how quickly it comes back (recovery). These numbers are what a pump installer uses to size your pump, and they give you a baseline if the well slows down years later.
What you should receive
- A copy of the well report, filed with OWRD within 30 days of completion.
- A metal well ID label fixed to the casing, with a number that matches the report.
- The flow test results.
Keep the well report with your house papers. Anyone who services the well later will ask for it.
New well questions
What if the hole comes up dry?
Ask about this before signing. The state handbook lists abandonment procedures and costs for an unusable hole as an item to settle in the agreement.
Can a new well share water with my neighbor?
Yes, but the state recommends a written agreement covering upkeep, access, power costs and who pays if the pump or well needs work. Wells serving more than three households have extra testing rules.
Do I need to call 811?
Yes. Anyone digging on private property must call the Oregon Utility Notification Center, 811, two business days before digging.
Ready when you are
Call now, or send the form. A local pro calls you back, usually the same business day.
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.