Drilling a Well for Your New Home Build: What Homeowners in Nova Scotia Need to Know
Building a new home is an exciting milestone—but it also comes with many critical decisions. One of the most important for rural homeowners across Nova Scotia is securing a reliable water supply. If your dream property is located outside of municipal service areas in places like the Annapolis Valley, Halifax outskirts, Dartmouth, or along the South Shore, drilling a private well will likely be part of your home construction process.
At Shoreline Well Drilling, we’ve worked with countless new homeowners to ensure they start life in their new home with safe, clean, dependable water. Here’s what you need to know before, during, and after drilling a well for your new build.
Why Private Wells Are the Standard in Rural Nova Scotia
In most of rural and semi-rural Nova Scotia, municipal water systems don’t reach every property. From the Valley’s scenic farmland to coastal communities from Shelburne to Yarmouth, private wells are the primary source of drinking water.
A properly drilled well provides:
Clean, high-quality groundwater
Water independence (no monthly water bills)
Long-term reliability when properly maintained
Working with an experienced and fully certified well driller like Shoreline Well Drilling ensures your new well meets both your immediate and future water needs.
Step 1: Planning Your Well Before Building Starts
If you’re buying vacant land or planning construction, it’s essential to include well drilling early in your timeline. In fact, securing a water source is often necessary before obtaining final building permits in many municipalities.
Important considerations:
Location: Wells must be set back a safe distance from septic systems, property lines, fuel tanks, and other potential contaminants.
Access: Make sure there’s enough space for drilling equipment to reach the site.
Water Needs: Consider the size of your household, irrigation plans, future expansion, and any special requirements like livestock or pools.
At Shoreline Well Drilling, we work closely with homeowners and builders to evaluate the best location for your well, balancing convenience, groundwater access, and regulatory compliance.
Step 2: Understanding Nova Scotia’s Well Regulations
Nova Scotia has strict rules to protect groundwater and ensure wells are constructed safely.
Key points include:
Wells must be drilled by a certified well driller.
Proper setbacks from septic systems, barns, and chemical storage must be maintained.
Wells must be grouted and sealed to prevent surface water contamination.
Well logs must be submitted to Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change after construction.
Shoreline Well Drilling handles all permitting and reporting requirements, ensuring your new well is fully compliant with provincial standards.
We’re also fully insured with Commercial General Liability and WCB coverage, providing peace of mind throughout the construction process.
Step 3: The Drilling Process Explained
Once planning is complete, drilling your well typically follows these steps:
Site Setup: Our drilling team brings specialized equipment to your property and prepares the site.
Drilling: We bore a hole into bedrock, installing a steel casing as we go to support the well.
Grouting: A protective seal is applied around the casing to prevent contamination from surface water.
Testing: We measure water flow (yield) and check for sediment or other issues.
Pump Installation: After successful testing, we install a submersible pump system to deliver water to your new home.
Typical timelines:
Drilling itself usually takes 1–3 days depending on depth and ground conditions.
Additional time is needed for water testing, pump setup, and system commissioning.
Step 4: Water Quality Testing and Safety
Before you move in, it’s essential to test your new well for:
Bacteria (coliforms and E. coli)
Nitrate and nitrite
Iron, manganese, and hardness
Other potential contaminants depending on local geology
In regions like the Annapolis Valley, natural minerals can affect taste and color, even if the water is safe. Shoreline Well Drilling offers full water testing coordination and guidance on any necessary filtration or treatment systems.
Tip: Regular testing is recommended even after move-in—especially in spring and fall—to ensure your water stays safe year after year.
Step 5: Protecting Your New Well for the Future
After your well is operational, protect your investment with good practices:
✅ Keep the wellhead clear of debris, runoff, and chemicals.
✅ Maintain proper grading around the well to prevent flooding.
✅ Schedule periodic system inspections to catch any pump or pressure issues early.
✅ Test your water regularly.
✅ Document your well construction and water test results.
At Shoreline Well Drilling, we’re always available for ongoing support—including seasonal inspections, water testing, pump maintenance, and repairs if ever needed.
Special Considerations for Coastal or Challenging Properties
If you’re building near the ocean, on a rocky bluff, or in areas where groundwater salinity could be a concern (such as parts of the South Shore), special drilling techniques or deeper casing may be needed.
Our team has extensive experience working on diverse terrain across Western Nova Scotia, including coastal builds, farm developments, and rugged inland properties. We’ll assess conditions carefully to ensure your well produces safe, freshwater without intrusion from salt or surface contamination.
Why Choose Shoreline Well Drilling?
Building your dream home deserves a water system you can trust. Here’s why homeowners across Nova Scotia choose us:
Certified Well Drillers with deep local expertise
Experience across residential, commercial, agricultural, and fishing operations
Fully insured (Commercial General Liability and WCB)
Clear communication with your builder or project manager
Full-service approach — from planning to drilling to final water testing
Local knowledge of geology from Shelburne to Yarmouth and everywhere in between
When you choose Shoreline Well Drilling, you’re investing in safe, reliable water—and a stress-free experience backed by professionals who understand every detail.
Final Thoughts
Water is life, and ensuring a steady, clean supply is one of the most important parts of building a new home in Nova Scotia. By partnering with a trusted, certified well drilling company like Shoreline Well Drilling, you can start your new chapter on solid, secure ground.
Ready to discuss your new home’s water needs?
Contact Shoreline Well Drilling today for a free consultation and a personalized site evaluation. We’ll help you make the right start—with the right water.
