A Step-by-Step Guide to the Well Drilling Process in Western Nova Scotia
Drilling a well is a big investment—and a vital one. Whether you’re building a home in the Annapolis Valley, expanding your agricultural operation, or setting up a commercial site near Halifax or Dartmouth, a safe and reliable water supply is essential.
At Shoreline Well Drilling, we’re here to make the process easy to understand and stress-free from start to finish. With years of experience drilling wells across Western Nova Scotia, we’re proud to offer dependable water solutions for residential, commercial, and agricultural clients alike.
If you’re wondering what to expect when drilling a new well, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand how the process works.
Step 1: Initial Consultation and Site Evaluation
Every successful well drilling project starts with a conversation. During the initial consultation, Shoreline Well Drilling will assess your property, your water usage needs, and any site-specific factors.
Key Considerations Include:
- What is the well for? (Home, farm, business?)
- How many people or systems will it serve?
- What are the geology and groundwater conditions in your area?
- Are there any nearby septic systems, fuel tanks, or potential contamination sources?
We also check for local and provincial regulations, including required setback distances and environmental protection zones. This is particularly important in municipalities like Halifax or Kings County, where zoning and subdivision bylaws may apply.
Step 2: Well Siting and Planning
Choosing the right location for your well is crucial to ensuring long-term safety, performance, and regulatory compliance.
In Nova Scotia, well siting must follow legal guidelines:
- Minimum 15.2 meters from septic systems (30.5 meters for dug wells)
- At least 61 meters from any landfill or cesspool
- Safe distance from livestock, chemical storage, or fuel tanks
At Shoreline Well Drilling, we use local hydrogeological knowledge and experience to identify the most suitable spot on your property. The goal is to reach a clean, productive aquifer while avoiding shallow or contaminated zones.
Step 3: Drilling the Well
Once the site is chosen, the drilling process begins. In most of Western Nova Scotia, a drilled well is the preferred method due to the region’s rocky subsurface and variable water tables.
What Happens During Drilling:
- We bring a licensed drilling rig to your site and set up equipment
- A hole is bored deep into the bedrock using a rotary drill
- As the drill descends, we install a steel casing to support the well structure
- The casing is grouted (sealed) to prevent surface water contamination
- We drill deep enough to reach an aquifer with sufficient water flow
- The final depth can range from 100 to 400 feet, depending on geology and demand
You’ll likely see rock chips and drilling fluid being discharged during this stage—it’s all part of the process!
Step 4: Well Development and Testing
After drilling is complete, the well must be developed and tested to ensure it delivers clean, usable water.
Development may include:
- Pumping and flushing the well to remove sediment
- Measuring static water level and yield (gallons per minute)
- Installing a temporary or permanent pump for initial testing
At this stage, we evaluate how much water your well produces and whether it meets your usage needs. If the yield is too low, additional drilling or water storage solutions may be recommended.
Step 5: Water Quality Testing
Water quality is just as important as water quantity. After development, Shoreline Well Drilling can coordinate laboratory water testing to check for:
- Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli)
- Iron, manganese, hardness
- Nitrate and nitrite levels
- pH and other chemical indicators
In some areas of Nova Scotia, especially the Annapolis Valley, naturally occurring minerals like iron or manganese can be present. If needed, we’ll recommend filtration or treatment options based on your results.
Step 6: Pump System Installation
Once the well has passed its tests, we install a submersible pump system tailored to your specific needs. The system usually includes:
- Submersible pump (sized for your water flow and depth)
- Pressure tank
- Control switch and wiring
- Piping into the home, business, or irrigation system
This system ensures reliable water pressure and delivery for your property. For larger commercial or agricultural systems, custom solutions such as multiple pumps or backup configurations can be provided.
Step 7: Final Reporting and Well Record Submission
Under Nova Scotia law, every new well must be documented in the provincial Well Logs Database. Shoreline Well Drilling takes care of this for you.
We submit a detailed well completion report to Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change, including:
- Well location and depth
- Construction specifications
- Water yield and static level
- Rock formations encountered
You also receive a copy of the well record for your own files—a valuable document if you ever sell the property or require future maintenance.
Step 8: Ongoing Support and Maintenance Advice
While a properly drilled well can last for decades, some ongoing maintenance and monitoring is important. Shoreline Well Drilling is always available for support, including:
- Seasonal inspections
- Water quality retesting
- System repairs or upgrades
- Pump replacement if needed
We also provide tips on how to maintain a safe and clean wellhead area, such as keeping it clear of contaminants, debris, or surface runoff.
Why Choose Shoreline Well Drilling?
We bring experience, certification, and local knowledge to every job. From the rocky ridges of the Annapolis Valley to the coastal soils around Halifax and Dartmouth, we know how to drill safe, reliable wells that meet Nova Scotia’s strict standards.
With Shoreline Well Drilling, you get:
- Fully certified well drilling professionals
- Residential, commercial, and agricultural expertise
- Compliance with all provincial well regulations
- Friendly, transparent service at every step
- Ongoing support long after the drill rig leaves
Final Thoughts
Drilling a water well isn’t just about digging a hole in the ground—it’s a carefully planned process that impacts your property, your health, and your long-term water security. With the right team, you can ensure that your well is safe, efficient, and built to last.
Ready to start your well drilling project?
Contact Shoreline Well Drilling today for a free consultation. We’re proud to serve communities throughout Western Nova Scotia, including the Annapolis Valley, Halifax, and Dartmouth—one well at a time.