Drilling A Domestic Well In South Pattaya

[Noel]

At about this time of year, the captioned subject is predictably added to my 'To Do' list, and then equally predictably moved to my 'Oh, that can wait' list a short while later.

Suffice it to say, in over a decade I have never carried out even the most basic research, so this post is a mighty step forward.

Does anyone have any knowledge of drilling a new well to supply a house in Pattaya?

I should imagine there must be local contractors around that could do it (or claim they can), but I would obviously prefer to hear from someone with firsthand experience/knowledge before I get to that stage.

Any pointers in terms of do's and don't's would be most welcome.

I would also like to get an indication of the total likely cost for the complete task, including pump, filter, plumbing and so forth.

Can anyone advise and/or recommend someone whom I could contact?

T.I.A.

Edited February 17, 2006 by Noel

[CGW]

I had a well done late last year, best thing I did last year, well - apart from the double "act" from the Buff bar!

Anyway:-

1. Find "Driller - cost 80k to 125k

2. Obtain permit from Chonburi - 20k - well driller should help or get this. (If you wont to be "legal")

6. Decide where you wont well, then work out if there is room for "Rig' to get to this area.

5. Prepare for a lot of Mess.

11. Inclusive in cost of well should be drilling, liner (2" 6"?) dependant on what you decide upon, submersible pump, which will pump water to Your holding tank - Plumbing to your tank, (you need a filter on the fill up line, wells produce a fair amount of sand) Electrical "auto-Fill for Your tank, the rest you supply, and should already have. eg pump for the house.

Note. I can confirm the wires going to Auto Fill device are Live! mine needed moving\adjusting, after picking myself up, I swore \I would never touch the ******g thing again

Cheers

[stoneman]

I had a well done late last year, best thing I did last year, well - apart from the double "act" from the Buff bar!

Anyway:-

1. Find "Driller - cost 80k to 125k

2. Obtain permit from Chonburi - 20k - well driller should help or get this. (If you wont to be "legal")

6. Decide where you wont well, then work out if there is room for "Rig' to get to this area.

5. Prepare for a lot of Mess.

11. Inclusive in cost of well should be drilling, liner (2" 6"?) dependant on what you decide upon, submersible pump, which will pump water to Your holding tank - Plumbing to your tank, (you need a filter on the fill up line, wells produce a fair amount of sand) Electrical "auto-Fill for Your tank, the rest you supply, and should already have. eg pump for the house.

Note. I can confirm the wires going to Auto Fill device are Live! mine needed moving\adjusting, after picking myself up, I swore \I would never touch the ******g thing again

Cheers

How deep is the well and how long does it take to complete the drilling?

Stoneman

[CGW]

My well is 43m, depends where you are, as to what depth you will need to go. You do need to get a guarantee from them that they will get water, that may involve two holes if the first is dry, then they need to test it for a couple of hours at least to be sure it will continue flowing and they are in the "Water Table'

Drilling - around two days, I was lucky enough to have them on premises for 9 days as they broke down and had to get parts shipped in

[allexx]

I dug my well 1992. Its 14 meter deep using cement rings.The digging cost 16000 Baht.It took 10 days to complete.The pump submersible,Made in Italy, cost 8000 Baht. Wires and PVC cost circa 2000 Baht. Don’t need any filters. So total cost 26k.The water is “Namkin” quality. Produce about 2000 liter/day. I guess I’m lucky.

[patsfangr]

I dug my well 1992. Its 14 meter deep using cement rings.The digging cost 16000 Baht.It took 10 days to complete.The pump submersible,Made in Italy, cost 8000 Baht. Wires and PVC cost circa 2000 Baht. Don’t need any filters. So total cost 26k.The water is “Namkin” quality. Produce about 2000 liter/day. I guess I’m lucky.

I haven't yet moved to Pattaya (April). Can you clarify for me what "Namkin" quality water is?

[monty]

Namkin would be drinkable water.

I would however stronly doubt this unless you have a very strong stomach

A 14 meter well will get a lot of unfiltered surface water which I for one will not consider drinking in Pattaya. Maybe out in the boonies but not in this overpopulated city...

As CGW mentioned, a deep well has to go straight into the water table, which means normally drilling until they meet a very hard layer (mostly rock) and then slowly penetrate that rock layer.

Under that rocklayer you'll normally find the water table with very clean water, since the dirty surface water will not penetrate that rock layer, or whatever can penetrate will be quite good filtered by the tens of meters sand/clay/rock above it...

Depth is mostly between 40 and 80 meters. Price including lining, submersible pump and basic plumbing should be around 80-90 thousand Baht...

Indeed another 20K is required for the permit which you need for any well over 20 meter deep...

[kurgen]

I have several friends in the Maprachan area who have used the same people to drill their wells.The company aren't local , they just travel down as and when.

They charge 30k for a small bore well which is a 4' hole (not to sure).They don't get paid till they find water. They were at one house for nearly 2 weeks , drilling and re-drilling till they struck gold.

If you want their number let me know.

[Noel]

I had a well done late last year, best thing I did last year, well - apart from the double "act" from the Buff bar!

Anyway:-

1. Find "Driller - cost 80k to 125k

2. Obtain permit from Chonburi - 20k - well driller should help or get this. (If you wont to be "legal")

6. Decide where you wont well, then work out if there is room for "Rig' to get to this area.

5. Prepare for a lot of Mess.

11. Inclusive in cost of well should be drilling, liner (2" 6"?) dependant on what you decide upon, submersible pump, which will pump water to Your holding tank - Plumbing to your tank, (you need a filter on the fill up line, wells produce a fair amount of sand) Electrical "auto-Fill for Your tank, the rest you supply, and should already have. eg pump for the house.

Note. I can confirm the wires going to Auto Fill device are Live! mine needed moving\adjusting, after picking myself up, I swore \I would never touch the ******g thing again

Cheers

Thanks very much for your nippy and informed response, CGW. and to all other responders of course.

Just a few basic questions, if I may:

1. The most convenient place for the well to be sited in my case would be at the rear of the house, as that would minimise pipe runs etc. However, there is only limited access at the sides of the house. Roughly how much room would be required to set up and operate the rig?

2. What are the pros/cons of having a submersible pump? Would I be right in assuming that a submersible would require a far larger bore? Maintenance considerations?

3. Probably a daft question, but does the level of the water table remain constant all year or will it vary according to the season?

4. Do your drillers like dogs?

Thanks again.

[David James]

From what I understand it is best to use a driller that has drilled in the area before - that way he has more idea of where to locate the best water supply rather than using an outsider who may have to drill several times.

Also he should be employed on the basis of no water no pay as underground water is widely available.

[CGW]

1. The most convenient place for the well to be sited in my case would be at the rear of the house, as that would minimise pipe runs etc. However, there is only limited access at the sides of the house. Roughly how much room would be required to set up and operate the rig?

2. What are the pros/cons of having a submersible pump? Would I be right in assuming that a submersible would require a far larger bore? Maintenance considerations?

3. Probably a daft question, but does the level of the water table remain constant all year or will it vary according to the season?

4. Do your drillers like dogs?

Noel.

1. If you can reverse a medium truck around should be no problem?

2. Different bore - different size submersible. "Should get years of service out of Submersible pump.

3. The water table is present all year, hopefully! if your well is into the table you would never know if its level was dropping.

That's the problem with the "ring" dug wells, they can dry up or produce minimal quantities when you get into the dry season.

5. Dogs like Drillers, sure you can work it out from there?

Cheers

[Noel]

1. The most convenient place for the well to be sited in my case would be at the rear of the house, as that would minimise pipe runs etc. However, there is only limited access at the sides of the house. Roughly how much room would be required to set up and operate the rig?

2. What are the pros/cons of having a submersible pump? Would I be right in assuming that a submersible would require a far larger bore? Maintenance considerations?

3. Probably a daft question, but does the level of the water table remain constant all year or will it vary according to the season?

4. Do your drillers like dogs?

Noel.

1. If you can reverse a medium truck around should be no problem?

2. Different bore - different size submersible. "Should get years of service out of Submersible pump.

3. The water table is present all year, hopefully! if your well is into the table you would never know if its level was dropping.

That's the problem with the "ring" dug wells, they can dry up or produce minimal quantities when you get into the dry season.

5. Dogs like Drillers, sure you can work it out from there?

Cheers

Thanks CGW, much appreciated.

The immediate potential problem appears to be access, but I will continue investigating the alternatives regardless.

I am about to attend an informal gathering of local Bar Room Barristers; they claim to know all there is know about any subject, so I will see what they have to say.

Just for fun, I will make no mention of what I have gleaned so far.

Worst case should be a silent (or not) chuckle and, after all, nothing ventured...

Will report back if there is anything worthy of mention.

Thanks again.

[Patex]

South Pattaya?

Oceanside?? There is a possibility your well will taste a little "salty" .

BTW every well can fall dry.

Patex

[allexx]

Namkin would be drinkable water.

I would however stronly doubt this unless you have a very strong stomach

A 14 meter well will get a lot of unfiltered surface water which I for one will not consider drinking in Pattaya. Maybe out in the boonies but not in this overpopulated city...

As CGW mentioned, a deep well has to go straight into the water table, which means normally drilling until they meet a very hard layer (mostly rock) and then slowly penetrate that rock layer.

Under that rocklayer you'll normally find the water table with very clean water, since the dirty surface water will not penetrate that rock layer, or whatever can penetrate will be quite good filtered by the tens of meters sand/clay/rock above it...

Depth is mostly between 40 and 80 meters. Price including lining, submersible pump and basic plumbing should be around 80-90 thousand Baht...

Indeed another 20K is required for the permit which you need for any well over 20 meter deep...

You have to boil it first of course.

Monty, you are welcome to have a sip.