We drilled a well on our rural property in fall 2024 and hit 12 gallons per minute after hydrofracking. Here's what we learned about drilling a well on rural property, water testing, and recovery tests before building our farmhouse.
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When we bought our 80-acre property in January 2024, we knew water would be one of the most important—and uncertain—parts of building our dream farmhouse. Out here in the country, there's no city hookup or water meter. If you want water, you drill for it and hope for the best.
We had heard stories from nearby landowners struggling to find a good water supply—some hitting dry holes, others dealing with low flow rates or poor water quality. So, when it came time to drill our well in fall 2024, we were cautiously optimistic—but definitely nervous.
Hitting Water: The First Big Win 💦
After a few days of drilling, our well company struck water. Our initial yield was 8 gallons per minute—a good start, but we wanted more peace of mind for a growing family and future garden or livestock use. That’s when we decided to invest in well hydrofracking (also called well stimulation), which is a common technique to increase water flow by opening up cracks in the bedrock.
After the fracking process, our flow rate jumped to 12 gallons per minute—a huge relief and a solid flow rate for rural living.
Water Testing: What We Found
Once the well was drilled, we sent a sample off for well water testing. Our biggest concern was contamination, especially after hearing so many mixed stories from nearby properties.
Thankfully, the test came back clean and safe to drink, with just one small note: a slight presence of sulphur. It wasn’t enough to be harmful or even particularly noticeable, but it’s something we’ll keep an eye on and may address with filtration down the road.
Learn more about well water testing standards in Ontario.
One-Hour Recovery Test: Another Check Mark
Before wrapping things up, we had a 1-hour recovery test done. This is a standard procedure that measures how quickly the well can replenish itself after being drawn down. It helps verify the sustainability of your water supply over time.
Ours passed without issue—yet another reassuring sign that this well will serve our family well (pun intended) for years to come.
Lessons Learned While Drilling a Well on Rural Property
Drilling a well is one of those foundational pieces of rural living that doesn’t get a lot of attention—until it goes wrong. Here are a few tips we learned along the way:
- Do your research: Talk to neighbors and well drillers in your area to understand local conditions.
- Be prepared for uncertainty: You won’t know what’s underground until you start drilling.
- Hydrofracking can be worth it: If your initial yield isn’t what you hoped, this step can make a big difference.
- Test your water early: Don’t wait until move-in day to find out what’s coming out of your tap.
- Budget for it: Between drilling, fracking, testing, and pump installation, this part of the build adds up fast—but it’s worth every penny.
💡 Pro Tip: Always drill your well before you start building.
It’s the only way to confirm you have a reliable water source—and it could save you thousands in unexpected costs down the line.
Why Drilling Your Well First Matters
When you're building on raw land, it can be tempting to jump straight into house plans and permits—but putting in your well first is one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because without water, you don't have a build site—you have a very expensive piece of land with limited use.
In rural areas, there are no guarantees when it comes to water. Just because your neighbor has a strong well doesn’t mean you will. We’ve seen properties nearby that hit dry wells, extremely low flow rates, or water with serious contamination issues. In those cases, solutions like drilling a second well, hauling water, or installing a cistern system can be incredibly costly—and frustrating.
Drilling your well early means:
- You’ll know if the land is viable for a home.
- You can size your water system and pressure tank properly.
- You avoid the nightmare of building a house and then realizing your well isn't reliable.
- You can plan landscaping, irrigation, or livestock needs based on actual flow rates.
It’s also worth noting that permits and financing may depend on proving you have a working water source. Some mortgage lenders or building inspectors won’t move forward without a verified water supply.
For us, hitting 8 gallons per minute was good—but getting to 12 GPM after hydrofracking gave us the confidence to move forward with everything else. Water is foundational—literally and figuratively.
FAQ: Drilling a Well on Rural Property 💧
A good residential well typically produces 5–10 gallons per minute (GPM). We were happy to end up with 12 GPM, which provides plenty of water for our family, gardening, and future needs.
Hydrofracking (or well fracturing) is a process that uses high-pressure water to open up fractures in the bedrock to increase water flow. In our case, it increased our yield from 8 GPM to 12 GPM—definitely worth the investment.
A 1-hour recovery test checks how quickly the well replenishes water after pumping. It helps ensure your water supply is sustainable. Our well passed, which gave us peace of mind.
Test for bacteria, nitrates, sulphur, and heavy metals at minimum. Our water came back clean, with only a slight trace of sulphur.
Costs vary depending on depth, location, and whether you need hydrofracking or extra filtration. Budget between $10,000–$20,000 for drilling, testing, and setup in rural areas. Ours cost $9,000 plus $4,000 for fracturing.
Final Thoughts on Drilling a Well on Our Rural Property
Getting a well drilled on our rural property was one of the most nerve-wracking steps in our homestead journey so far, but it turned out better than we hoped. With 12 gallons per minute, clean test results, and a passed recovery test, we now have a reliable water source to build our life around.
If you're thinking about drilling a well on rural land, know that it's a leap of faith—but one that can pay off big when done right.
👉 Stay tuned — or subscribe so you don’t miss the next post: Building a Rural Driveway: Our 700-Metre Path to Our Forever Farmhouse
Thinking about drilling a well on your own rural land? Drop your questions in the comments or subscribe to follow our farmhouse build from raw land to finished home!
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