Drilling the Well

This was an exciting 5 week process. I called Brown Drilling to set up the initial site visit. Jon Kaufman met us at the lot and we discussed the well site. When we were all satisfied with the location, Jon got the permit process started. You need a state and county permit to drill a well in Arizona. The state permit takes one day, the county permit 4 weeks. About 4 weeks later, my permits arrived in the mail. The next step is arranging the drilling. They told me the first week of December, as the days got closer, we narrowed it down to arriving the morning of December 3rd.

Here is a diagram of the type of well we have.

The first morning they Drilled about 30' and filled it in with concrete.

The 12 inch bit at the end of the first day. They let the concrete set up and returned the next day.

The T4W is an impressive piece of machinery. So is Kristi.

This is a LOUD 3 min video showing the T4 setting up. Check your volume.

This is the "Little truck."

Ford 9000

The end result. Our well is 599' deep. Thanks to everyone at Brown Drilling. Pump and well house come next.

Perc Test

The other day we had a Perc Test done. This is to determine the Leach field location and depth. We need to do this because there is no sewer system in our area which means we have to put in a septic tank.


The test consists of 5 holes dug with a backhoe. Everyone tells you the test is 3 holes. It is, but first they dig a "test hole", then the 3 holes, then one last hole "just to make sure."



The depth ranged from about 9' to 15' if I remember correctly. That's me with the inspector and the soil scientist who is in the hole.


Basically they take a bucket with holes in it and place it at the bottom. The bucket gets filled with water and then we all stand around for a couple hours and time how fast the water drains out. It sounds fun, and it is. That's my Dad to my left and the Backhoe operator with the tank top and hat.

Kristi takes the best photos.

A few days later, I go to the soil scientists office and pick up a report that details everything about the test. This report allows me to get a permit to install the septic tank.