One of the first essential steps on our journey toward building a self-sufficient farm in Chumphon Buri was securing a permanent water supply. While village water and rain catchment have their place, we wanted a reliable deep well we could control. This post documents how we found groundwater at 25 meters, drilled a 6-inch bore, and installed a 4-inch submersible pump with a 1.5-inch outlet.
Hitting Water at 25 Meters
We hired a local well-drilling crew who brought in a rotary rig mounted on a truck. Based on nearby wells, we expected to hit water between 20 and 30 meters. Drilling started early in the day and went smoothly through layers of clay, sandy soil, and compacted earth.
At 25 meters, the signs were clear: drilling speed increased, the slurry returned with moisture, and the water flow stabilized — all solid indicators of a viable aquifer. The team drilled a little deeper to around 28 meters to ensure a clean zone and reduce sediment risk.
Installing a 6-Inch Well Casing
We chose to install a 6-inch PVC casing — a step above the common 4-inch size. The extra diameter gives more flexibility for pump servicing, reduces friction, and allows greater flow potential in the future if we ever upgrade. The bottom section of the casing includes slotted screens, allowing water to enter while keeping out sand and silt.
After inserting the casing, the annular space was filled with coarse gravel to act as a natural filter. The top was sealed with concrete to protect against surface runoff and contamination.
Submersible Pump: 4-Inch with 1.5-Inch Outlet
Once the well was flushed and settled, we installed a 4-inch submersible pump designed for deep wells. The pump delivers water via a 1.5-inch outlet, offering a solid balance between volume and pressure — perfect for filling tanks, irrigating crops, and general farm use.
Installation Steps:
- Electrical Setup
A dedicated line was run from our main panel to the well, using waterproof conduit. A safety breaker and surge protection were installed near the control panel. - Pipe & Fittings
We used high-pressure 1.5-inch PVC pipe to handle the output, with proper threaded fittings, rubber gaskets, and stainless clamps to ensure long-term reliability. - Cable Management & Safety
The power cable was zip-tied along the pipe every meter. A separate nylon safety rope was tied to the pump and secured at the well cap to act as a retrieval backup in case the riser pipe fails. - Lowering the Pump
The pump was lowered carefully to a depth of about 22 meters, keeping it 2–3 meters above the bottom of the well to avoid sediment intake. We used a pulley system and took our time. - Well Cap
The well head was sealed with a custom-fitted cap with grommets for the pipe, cable, and rope. A small air vent was added to prevent vacuum lock during pumping.
Testing and First Run
After wiring up the controller and priming the output line, we flipped the switch. Within seconds, clean, strong water surged from the pipe. We ran the pump for 30 minutes to clear any remaining drilling debris and check output.
The result: consistent flow, no noticeable silt, and solid pressure. We routed the pipe to a series of water tanks that now feed the entire property via gravity or pressure pumps as needed.
Lessons and Final Thoughts
Drilling a deep well is a major milestone for any rural property. Here’s what we learned:
- Go with a 6-inch casing if you can. It gives you room to upgrade or service the pump easily.
- Choose a high-quality submersible pump with enough head pressure to handle your specific depth.
- Don’t skip safety details like the nylon rope, surge protection, or proper venting.
This one-time investment gives us total independence from outside water sources — a crucial step toward resilience on our land.
If you’re in Thailand and considering your own well, I’m happy to share contractor details, pump specs, or lessons learned. Just drop a comment or message.