Resources
Building An Off-Grid Home? Upgrading Your Rural Property?
A professionally drilled well delivers reliable, self-sustaining, fresh groundwater to you and your loved ones—year-round, and on your terms.
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But before you break ground, it’s important to understand what’s beneath the surface in your local area.
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That’s where the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s well records map comes in.
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This free public database shows nearby registered wells and provides valuable information about water depth, yield, and geology—so you can make informed decisions within your budget and timeline.
How to check well records near your property
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Scroll down to the map and enter an address, lot number, or town into the “Enter a location” search bar.
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Click on the blue dots to view nearby well information.
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Open the linked PDF or HTML report.
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Review details including well depth, flow rates, bedrock material, construction method, and water yield.
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Ready to take the next step?
Contact Northland Well Drilling today for a personalized quote and expert advice. Your water independence starts here!
FAQ
Can I drill my water well anywhere on my property?
No. Improperly located wells can lead to well water contamination. We recommend that a new well be constructed 50 feet away from:
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Septic beds
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Establishments that house herbicides and fertilizers
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For livestock, we recommend that a new well be constructed 100 feet away.
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How do I know if I’m hiring a certified/licensed well expert?
You can verify if your driller is licensed by visiting this Ministry of Environment website; or contacting the Wells Help Desk at 1-888-396-9355 or wellshelpdesk@ontario.ca.
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How often should I disinfect or clean my well?
We recommend you disinfect your well once every year.
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How do I chlorinate my well?
It’s quite simple—here’s how to do it yourself!
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First, mix a half-gallon of Javex with 5 gallons of water in a pail; and pour the mixture directly into your well. Then, run a water hose from your outside faucet into the well, and let it run for 1.5 to 2 hours.
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When removing the hose out of the well, run water on the ground until the coming out of the hose is clear. This can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.
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Open all faucets inside your house and keep the water running until the chlorine smell disappears. (Do not drink or consume your water for a couple of days, as chlorine may still be present—even if there is no smell!)
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One week later, bring a sample of your water to your local Public Health unit, where they will perform a bacteria test.
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Once a well is drilled on my property, who is responsible for the mess?
Northland strives to keep messes to a minimum. However, please be aware there may be some mud, ruts and cuttings. As the homeowner, you are responsible for the area after the well is drilled.
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Does Northland drill in the winter?
Winter drilling is dependent on the weather. If you have a project in mind for the colder months, please contact us directly to discuss.
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How much will it cost to drill a well on my rural property?
Generally, the deeper the well, the higher the price. While costs can vary due to the uniqueness of each well, Northland typically charges by the number of feet drilled.
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If you’re working within a specific budget, we recommend researching nearby wells to get a sense of local depths and yields. This can help us provide a more accurate estimate tailored to your area.
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Is there a way to research local well depths before reaching out to Northland?
Yes! The Ontario government has an online map of all wells built across the province, providing details including depth, flow rates, construction details, and more. Check out our Resources page for steps on using this free tool.
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Wells in the same geographic area often run to similar depths. So, checking out nearby wells can give us both a good starting point to estimate your project—saving time while helping set realistic expectations.
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