Hydrogeological Assessments
Igne’s hydrogeological assessments evaluate groundwater availability, yield, and impact, supporting borehole feasibility, abstraction licensing, and sustainable water supply design.
Water Wells: The Ultimate Guide to Borehole Water Supply
A water well is a drilled borehole that taps into subsurface groundwater sources, providing a private and independent water supply.
About
Water Wells
As mains water bills continue to rise and concerns grow over water security and quality, more people are turning to private water wells as a cost-effective, reliable alternative.
From individual homeowners looking for off-grid water independence to major corporations like Coca-Cola requiring high-volume abstraction, borehole water supply is a proven solution for reducing costs and ensuring access to clean water.
At Igne, we are the experts in every aspect of water well drilling. Whether you need a borehole for domestic use, agriculture, industrial operations, or commercial applications, we provide a full-service solution - from initial hydrogeological assessments to drilling, licencing, pump installation, water treatment, and long-term monitoring.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about water wells and why choosing Igne as your drilling partner ensures a seamless, professional, and cost-effective solution for your private water supply needs.
Explainer
What is a Water Well and How Does it Work?
A water well is a drilled borehole that taps into subsurface groundwater sources, providing a private and independent water supply.
The well consists of several key components:
- Borehole: the drilled hole that reaches the water-bearing strata (aquifer).
- Casing & Lining: protects the borehole structure and prevents contamination.
- Pump System: abstracts water from the well and delivers it to where it's needed.
- Storage Tanks: hold water for use during high-demand periods.
- Water Treatment: ensures water quality meets safety and regulatory standards.
- Monitoring Systems: allows real-time tracking of water levels, usage, and system performance.
The Benefits
What are The Benefits of a Private Water Well?
- Cost Savings on Water Bills
Water rates continue to rise, making mains water an increasingly expensive resource. With a private borehole, you control your own water supply, reducing or even eliminating your reliance on the mains. - Water Security & Reliability
Recent issues in the UK, including contamination scares and supply disruptions, highlight the vulnerability of mains water. A well-designed borehole system provides a consistent and uninterrupted water source, even in times of drought. - High-Quality Water
Unlike mains water, which undergoes chemical treatment, borehole water is naturally filtered through rock formations, resulting in a purer, more mineral-rich water supply. - Environmental Sustainability
A borehole reduces reliance on large-scale water infrastructure, cutting down on energy consumption and lowering your carbon footprint.
Everthing in one place
Igne’s Complete Water Well Services
Licencing Applications
Igne supports abstraction and discharge licensing applications with expert hydrogeological insight ensuring your water supply is fully compliant, sustainable, and approved wherever you are in the UK.
Drilling & Lining
Igne delivers precision drilling and professional lining installations for water and geothermal boreholes - protecting yield, water quality, and long-term performance.
Water Treatment
Igne provides tailored water treatment solutions for boreholes and private supplies ensuring clean, compliant water for drinking, irrigation, production, or process use.
Water Analysis
Igne’s water sampling and analysis service identifies chemical, biological, and physical properties ensuring your borehole supply is safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.
Test Pumping
Igne’s test pumping services assess groundwater yield and aquifer performance providing the data needed for abstraction licensing, borehole design, and long-term reliability.
Borehole Pumps
A borehole is only as effective as the pump that extracts water from it. Choosing the right borehole pump is essential for ensuring a consistent, efficient, and sustainable water supply.
Borehole Design
Igne’s expert borehole design service ensures your system is tailored to site conditions, demand, and regulation, thus supporting sustainable, high-performance water supply.
Abstraction Borehole Real Time Digital Monitoring Systems
Igne designs and installs real-time digital monitoring systems for abstraction boreholes enabling accurate data tracking, compliance reporting, and smart water management.
Drilling Consultancy
Igne’s drilling consultants provide expert guidance on borehole design, feasibility, compliance, and delivery reducing risk and improving outcomes from day one.
Pump Installation
Igne supplies and installs borehole pumps for homes, farms, and industry ensuring consistent water pressure, system longevity, and expert aftercare from day one.
Private Water Systems
Igne designs, drills, and maintains private water systems delivering reliable, sustainable water supply solutions tailored to your land, usage, and long-term needs.
Who they benefit
Is a Water Well Right for You?
A borehole is an excellent investment for any heavy water using business. It can also benefit:
- Homeowners seeking off-grid independence.
- Farmers needing irrigation or livestock water supplies.
- Industrial and commercial users requiring high-volume water abstraction.
- Businesses and estates looking to cut water costs and improve sustainability.
- Schools, leisure facilities, or hotels wanting control over their water quality.
If in doubt about whether you can benefit, contact us today. We can give you estimated costs as well as the timeframe until you’re cost neutral - and then saving significant sums. If the numbers don’t add up in favour of a private supply, we will tell you. However, if you can save and benefit with your own sustainable supply, you’ll have the information you need to move forward.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Wells
- How deep does a borehole need to be?
Depth varies depending on geological conditions, but most boreholes range between 30m and 200m deep.
- Do I need planning permission for a borehole?
Generally, no planning permission is required, but larger abstractions may need an Environment Agency permit.
- How much does a water well cost?
Costs depend on drilling depth, pump requirements, and water treatment needs. We provide tailored pricing based on site-specific factors.
- How long does it take to drill a borehole?
Most projects are completed within one to two weeks, depending on ground conditions and depth.
- Can a borehole run out of water?
Proper hydrogeological assessments, pump testing and suitable pump installations ensure sustainable yields. Igne also offers monitoring solutions to prevent over-abstraction.
- How often does a borehole need maintenance?
Annual servicing keeps borehole pumps, treatment systems, and monitoring equipment running efficiently.
Trust Igne
The Water Well Experts Trusted by Industry Leaders
Igne is the go-to name for water well drilling in the UK. We have delivered private borehole solutions to off-grid homeowners, large agricultural sites, and multinational brands like Danone, Mueller and Coca-Cola. Our expertise spans everything from small domestic wells to high-capacity commercial boreholes, ensuring every client gets a high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable water supply.
Ready to explore a private water supply? Contact Igne today for a consultation and start your journey towards independent, reliable water.
Water Wells
A water well is a drilled borehole that taps into subsurface groundwater sources, providing a private and independent water supply.
Advanced Drilling & Installations
From angled and deep boreholes to instrumentation and monitoring wells, Igne delivers advanced drilling and installations for critical infrastructure and complex sites.
Maintenance Contracts
Protect your investment with a tailored borehole maintenance contract from Igne. Regular servicing, emergency repairs, and expert support to keep your system flowing.
Well Cleaning & Rehabilitation
Restore performance and extend the life of your water well. Igne’s cleaning and rehabilitation services tackle blockages, biofouling and declining yield with proven results.
Borehole Geophysics & CCTV
Gain detailed insight into borehole condition and performance. Igne’s geophysical logging and CCTV inspections support design, troubleshooting, and compliance with confidence.
Wireline Geophysics
Igne’s wireline geophysics services deliver high-resolution downhole data — supporting groundwater studies, geothermal design, borehole condition assessment and more.
Geothermal
From feasibility to final installation, Igne delivers expert geothermal drilling for homes and businesses, unlocking reliable, low-carbon ground source heat. Minewater geothermal experts.