Understanding Water Wells In Wakefield MA

Are you thinking of installing a water well in Wakefield, MA. This article is geared towards understanding Wakefield MA Board of Health Regulations. Understanding your town regulations can be instrumental in compiling total project costs when it comes to drilling a water well in Wakefield, MA.

 1. Permit Info:  Well construction permit fee: $100.00

2. Well Location: An engineered plot plan is required when application is submitted.  Guidelines include

(Separation distance in linear feet)

3. Water Quality testing: Comprehensive water analysis is required.  This test includes

Total Coliform Bacteria         Sodium                       Hardness       Arsenic (Total)

E-Coli Bacteria                       Alkalinity                       Nitrate                  Lead

Calcium                                   Ammonia                       Nitrite                   Potassium

Copper                                     Chloride                        pH                      Flouride

Iron                                         Chlorine                        Sulfate                 Radon

Magnesium                              Color                            Turbidity

Manganese                             Conductivity                 Odor/Sediment

4. Water Quantity testing: A four hour flow test will be sufficient. Flow tests should be conducted in the following manner.

1) The volume of water necessary to support the household's daily need shall be determined using the following equation: (number of bedrooms plus one bedroom) x (110 gallons per bedroom) x (safety factor of 2) = number of gallons needed daily.

2) The storage capacity of the well shall be determined using the measured static water level and the depth and radius of the drillhole or casing.

3) The required volume shall be calculated by adding the volumes of water in (1) and (2) above. It is this volume of water that must be pumped from the well within a twenty-four (24) hour period. The pumping test may be performed at whatever rate is desired. Following the pumping test, the water level in the well must be shown to recover to within eighty-five (85) percent of the prepumped static water level within a twenty-four (24) hour period.

Example 1: a one bedroom house with a well six (6) inches in diameter containing 200 ft. of standing water:

1) 1 bedroom + 1 bedroom = (2 bedrooms) x (110 gallons per bedroom) x (safety factor of 2) = 440 gallons needed daily.

2) the volume of a 6-inch well is 1.5 gallons for every foot of water column length.

Therefore, (200 ft. of standing water) x (1. 5 gal/ft.) = 300 gallons.

3) 440 gallons + 300 gallons = 740 gallons that must be pumped from the well in 24 hours or less to demonstrate suitable capacity. Recovery to at least 85% of the static water level must also occur within 24 hours after cessation of pumping.

 Example 2: For a 4 bedroom house with a well that is six (6) inches in diameter containing

100 ft. of standing water:

1) 4 bedroom house + 1 bedroom = (5 bedrooms) x (110 gallons per bedroom) x (safety factor of 2) = 1,100 gallons needed daily.

2) the volume of a 6-inch well is 1.5 gallons for every foot of water volume length. Therefore, (100 ft. of standing water) x (1. 5 gal/ft.) = 150 gallons.

3) 1,100 gallons + 150 gallons=1250 gallons that must be pumped from the well in 24 hours or less to demonstrate suitable capacity. Recovery to at least 85% of the static water level must also occur within 24 hours after cessation of pumping

 5. Real Estate Transfer Requirements: As of now, Wakefield, MA requires water quality testing when a transfer of property takes place

 Wells on average in the Town of Wakefield MA range from 300-400 in depth however it’s not uncommon for wells to run shallower or deeper hence why it’s called the average. The casing depth averages at 40 feet however deeper pockets of rock are possible.

 If you have further questions contact the Wakefield Board Of Health at 781-246-6375