Serving the mid-Island
Water wells in Nanoose Bay
Electoral Area E features aquifers that shift as elevation changes.
Nanaimo Well Drilling drills water wells in Nanoose Bay in Electoral Area E of the Regional District of Nanaimo. We look up GWELLS records for your property to see if you sit on Benson Formation bedrock on Nanoose Hill or sand and gravel below. Bedrock wells we look at here show a median depth near 80 m and a median yield of 5 US gallons a minute. We manage flowing artesian flow properly if we encounter it near the peninsula.
Where your property sits on the hill tells us what's under it. The hill consists of bedrock while the flat areas hold sediment, calling for two completely different well designs. Both zones sit near salt water, so we evaluate coastal risks before choosing your well location.
Bedrock or sand and gravel — which is under you?
Aquifer 218 under Nanoose Hill is bedrock with a median depth around 80 m, median yield near 5 US gallons a minute, and water table around 6 m. Depths on provincial record run from 14 m down to 186 m. Below the hill, sand and gravel aquifers sit above bedrock, which sits around 45 m deep on average. We check how high on the hill your property sits before we tell you which of those you're drilling into.
Could your well flow on its own?
Flowing artesian wells that reach the surface without pumps exist in this area. Five wells near Nanoose Peninsula show flowing artesian conditions on one aquifer, two on another, and three on Nanoose Hill. Artesian flow comes with its own rules. Under the Groundwater Protection Regulation, artesian water must be controlled and fitted with backflow prevention gear by trained drillers. If your well flows, we build it to that standard.
How close is your well to salt water?
Coastal gravel aquifers face saltwater intrusion risks, and regional tracking showed one surficial aquifer much below normal in June 2026. Shoreline proximity affects where we place your well and how fast you pump, as over-pumping pulls salt water into the casing.
What do you get when we finish?
Your water supply well needs a surface seal at least 5 m long and at least 2.54 cm thick, production casing standing at least 0.3 m above ground, and a secure cap to keep out surface water. We sanitize the well thoroughly once drilling is complete. We attach a visible provincial ID plate at completion and file your construction report with British Columbia within 90 days for GWELLS. We submit official reports for well alterations and decommissioning following the same provincial procedure. Buyers, lenders, and inspectors check these records later, so completing paperwork properly up front saves hassle down the road.
Where can we actually put your well?
Key rules require your well to sit 30 m from any septic system and 15 m from existing water wells. Your wellhead must remain accessible while staying safe from floodwaters and physical impacts. On smaller lots with existing septic systems, we measure these distances on site before booking the drill rig. We check rig access, driveway slope, trees, and discharge areas along with property line setbacks.
What do we charge?
We drill by the foot: $90 per foot with steel casing installed, $65 per foot for open bedrock below the casing, and $10 per foot for PVC liner where rock conditions require it. The surface seal is $1,650 and the casing shoe $350. Well development runs $550 per hour and usually takes two to four hours. Prices exclude GST, and we confirm your final cost in writing after reviewing your property.
How does the season change your well here?
Bedrock water tables shift seasonally in Nanoose Bay, ranging from 1 m to 8 m below the surface. Artesian wells near the peninsula might overflow in winter but still require a pump during dry summer months. Near the coast, pumping faster than the aquifer recharges can draw salt water into your water supply.
Whether you are up the hill or near the beach, drilling conditions vary across short distances in Nanoose Bay. To find out which applies, get your property looked at.
Nearby service areas
Find out what is under your property.
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