Private Well Quandaries
By Jim Palmer Jr.

A few years ago the Hirst decision made the headlines, at least in the real estate industry, because that legal decision created a crisis for land- owners, basically making it impossible or very difficult to drill a private well.  Land sales came to a screeching halt and landowners who had invested their hard earned money were left without options.  Fortunately, the Washington Legislature, (besieged by enraged landowners and the Realtor® lobby), went to work to create statutes that resolved that dilemma.   Those new rules are working well for landowners because they follow true science instead of emotion. Landowners wishing to drill now face a new $500 fee, but they are able to drill on virtually any parcel, excepting that in a few areas water use is limited to 3,000 gallons per day instead of the 5,000 per day norm in most areas.

The latest quandary for landowners wishing to drill for water is that supply and demand issues have caused long delays and huge waiting lists for drillers.  Most local well drillers are backed up for about a year and a half, causing landowners to rethink their schedule for building a new home  (Planning rules require landowners to first show proof of potable water and proof that a legal septic system can be installed before building permits are issued).  In addition to the waiting time, costs to drill are almost double what they were just a few years ago.   This backlog and the pricing barrier is causing many landowners to take a long pause as they line up their other ducks in a row for that awaited building project. 

If you are considering purchasing land for your future building project, just know that you’ll need a huge dose of patience for that process!  A couple things to consider in your search are; How deep are local existing wells and what is the approximate production?  If you know some of this information you will be better prepared to calculate the overall cost of drilling. 

Using the Department of Ecology database, which keeps a record of well information(https://appswr.ecology.wa.gov/wellconstruction/map/WCLSWebMap/textsearch.aspx).

One can easily do the research in the area around your chosen property.  Call a local driller for information regarding cost, and do whatever it takes to get on their waiting list! You can then busy yourself with other tasks, while you wait in line.