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New in 2026 — Dedicated Well Division
Licensed Well Contractor · Eastern Ontario

Dug & Drilled Wells
Done Right.

At the start of 2026, Frank's Drilling & Blasting launched a dedicated well division — a full-time crew focused on residential, commercial, and agricultural water wells across Eastern Ontario. Dug wells, drilled wells, blasted wells — 30+ years of rock expertise, now with a team built around getting your water supply in the ground.

Book a Site Visit → How It Works
What You Need to Know

It's Called a
"Dug Well"

Most people in Eastern Ontario call them "blasted wells" — and that makes sense, because the process involves drilling into hard rock and using controlled blasting to fracture the bedrock and allow water to flow. But the Ontario Ministry of the Environment officially classifies these as "dug wells" under O. Reg. 903.

The distinction matters because the regulations, setback distances, and construction standards for dug wells are specific. In our region — Lennox & Addington, Frontenac, Hastings, Prince Edward County, Leeds & Grenville — the Canadian Shield bedrock sits close to the surface. That's where blasting comes in — the standard method for creating dug wells in hard rock.

Frank's has been blasting rock across Eastern Ontario for over 30 years. We understand the geology, the permits, and the process — and in 2026, we dedicated a full crew to wells so you're not waiting behind quarry jobs. You get a team that does wells, every day.

Quick Facts
Official Name: Dug Well (O. Reg. 903)
Common Name: Blasted Well
How It Works: Controlled blasting fractures bedrock to reach groundwater
Best For: Properties with shallow bedrock (common in Eastern ON)
Depth: Typically 10–25 feet into rock
Regulated By: Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MECP)
Contractor License: Required — Frank's is fully licensed
From Call to Water

How It Works

We keep the process simple. One call gets it started — from there, we handle everything through to a finished, producing well.

1
Initial Call
You call us. We discuss your property, timeline, and water needs. If it sounds like a fit, we book a site visit.
2
Site Visit
Someone from our team walks your property, assesses the terrain, checks bedrock conditions, and identifies the best well location using water witching and geological knowledge.
3
Booking & Deposit
Once you're ready to proceed, a refundable deposit secures your spot in our schedule. We'll confirm your date within 2 weeks.
4
Digging & Blasting
Our crew arrives with equipment, digs into bedrock, and uses controlled blasting to fracture the rock and open water channels. Typically completed in 1–2 days on site.
5
Completion
Well is cased, capped, and tested. We submit all required well records to the Ministry. Your water supply is ready for pump installation.
Transparent Pricing

Well Pricing

Straightforward pricing, no hidden fees. Additional services like trenching, water lines, and tree removal are quoted separately based on your property.

$16,500
Per well — digging and blasting included
  • Controlled blasting into bedrock
  • Well casing and cap installation
  • Ministry-compliant well record submission
  • Site visit and well location assessment included
  • Refundable deposit to secure your booking
  • Balance due at completion
  • Payment plans and credit card accepted
Book Your Well →

Does not include pump installation, trenching, water lines, or tree removal. These are available as add-on services — see below.

Add-On Services

Extra Services

Most well projects need more than just the well itself. We offer these additional services so you can get everything done with one contractor — no coordinating between multiple trades.

Tree Removal
Need to clear trees from the well site or access path? Our crew handles tree removal as part of the well project — no need to hire a separate arborist. We clear what's needed for safe equipment access, and clean up before we leave.
Inquire for details →
Trenching & Water Lines
Once your well is complete, you'll need water lines run from the well to your home or building. We dig the trench, lay the water line at proper depth below the frost line, and backfill — connecting your new well to your property's plumbing. Especially important in rocky terrain where standard excavation won't cut it.
Inquire for details →
Pump Installation Coordination
While we don't install pumps directly, we work closely with licensed pump installers in the region and can coordinate the handoff so your pump is installed shortly after the well is complete. One less thing for you to manage.
Inquire for details →
Rock Excavation & Site Prep
If your property needs additional rock removal beyond the well itself — for a driveway, foundation, septic bed, or building pad — we're already on site with the right equipment. Bundle it with your well project and save on mobilization costs.
Inquire for details →
Residential & Commercial Water Wells

Dug Wells vs
Drilled Wells

In Ontario, there are two primary types of water wells: dug wells (also called blasted wells) and drilled wells (also called bored wells). The right choice depends on your property's geology, depth to bedrock, and water needs.

Dug Wells are the most common type in Eastern Ontario's Canadian Shield region. They're excavated using heavy equipment and controlled blasting to fracture shallow bedrock (typically 10–25 feet deep). Water collects in the fractured rock. These are ideal for residential properties, cottages, rural homes, new construction, and lot severances where bedrock sits close to the surface.

Drilled Wells use rotary drilling equipment to bore deeper into the earth — sometimes 50 to 200+ feet. These are common in areas with deep overburden or where higher-yield water supply is required, such as commercial properties, farms, agricultural operations, multi-unit residential buildings, or industrial facilities.

Not sure which type your property needs? That's what the site visit is for. Our team will assess your terrain, bedrock depth, neighbouring well records, and water needs — then recommend the right approach. No obligation.

Who Needs a Well?
Residential: New home builds, rural properties, cottage lots, existing homes with failing wells, lot severances, building permit requirements
Commercial: Retail, office, and mixed-use buildings in rural areas without municipal water
Agricultural: Farms, livestock operations, irrigation supply, rural estates
Institutional: Churches, community centres, campgrounds, parks, schools in unserviced areas
Recreational: Cottages, seasonal properties, hunt camps, off-grid cabins
Common Reasons to Call
✓ Building a new home and need a well
✓ Buying rural property — need well assessment
✓ Severing a lot — new well required for planning
✓ Existing well running dry or contaminated
✓ Deepening or replacing an old well
✓ Commercial or farm water supply needed
✓ Cottage or seasonal property water
✓ Building permit requires proof of water supply
Where We Work

Well Drilling Across
Eastern Ontario

Based in Newburgh, Ontario, Frank's Drilling & Blasting serves residential and commercial well customers across the Eastern Ontario region. Our well division covers the following areas:

Lennox & Addington
Napanee, Newburgh, Tamworth, Centreville, Camden East, Yarker, Enterprise, Roblin, Cloyne, Northbrook, Denbigh, Kaladar
Frontenac County
Kingston, Sydenham, Verona, Sharbot Lake, Harrowsmith, Inverary, Elginburg, Battersea, Godfrey, Plevna, Arden
Hastings County
Belleville, Tweed, Madoc, Marmora, Stirling, Bancroft, Deseronto, Thomasburg, Actinolite, Maynooth, Eldorado
Prince Edward County
Picton, Wellington, Bloomfield, Consecon, Cherry Valley, Milford, Waupoos, Ameliasburgh, Hillier, Rossmore
Leeds & Grenville
Brockville, Smiths Falls, Perth, Westport, Gananoque, Delta, Elgin, Athens, Kemptville, Merrickville, Lansdowne
Greater Kingston Area
Kingston, Glenburnie, Joyceville, Seeleys Bay, Wolfe Island, Amherst Island, Bath, Odessa, Loyalist Township

Not sure if you're in our service area? Call 613-378-2178 — we'll let you know right away.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm looking into buying a property and need to know about water supply. Where do I start?
Great question — and one we get a lot. If you're buying a rural property in Eastern Ontario, the first thing to find out is whether the property has an existing well, and if so, what type and condition it's in. Many properties in Lennox & Addington, Frontenac, and Hastings County sit on Canadian Shield bedrock, which typically means a dug (blasted) well is the best option. We recommend getting a well inspection as part of your home inspection. If the property doesn't have a well, or the existing well is insufficient, give us a call — we can walk the property with you (even before you close) and give you an honest assessment of what it would take to get water on the lot.
I'm looking into severing my property. What do I need to know about wells?
If you're severing a lot in Ontario, each new lot will typically need its own independent water supply to satisfy municipal planning requirements and Ontario Regulation 903. That usually means a new well for the severed parcel. The municipality and the county planning department will want to see that the new lot can sustain a functioning well before they approve the severance. We can help early in the process — a site visit to assess where a well could go on the severed lot, and a letter confirming feasibility, can strengthen your severance application. Many of our customers come to us at exactly this stage.
How long does the process take from first call to water?
Once you call us, we typically schedule a site visit within 1–2 weeks depending on the time of year. After the site visit, if you'd like to proceed, a refundable deposit locks in your date. The well itself is usually completed in 1–2 days on site. From first call to a completed, producing well, most projects take 3–6 weeks. Peak season (spring through fall) books up faster, so calling early in the year gets you the best scheduling options.
Do I need a permit for a well on my property?
In Ontario, the well contractor (that's us) must be licensed by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and we handle all required well record submissions. As the property owner, you don't need a separate permit — but the well must be constructed by a licensed contractor using licensed well technicians, and it must meet all siting and construction requirements under O. Reg. 903. Frank's is fully licensed and insured, and we handle all the regulatory requirements on your behalf.
What if you don't hit water?
It's a fair concern. In our region, with 30+ years of experience reading the rock and geology, our success rate is very high. We use water witching (dowsing) and geological assessment during the site visit to identify the best location before any work begins. If there are concerns about water availability on a particular property, we'll be upfront with you during the site visit — we'd rather tell you the risks honestly than take your money and hope for the best.
Is the blasting safe? Will it damage my house or neighbouring properties?
Controlled blasting for wells uses very small, precisely calculated charges — nothing like what you'd see at a quarry. We set up seismograph monitoring to measure ground vibration and airblast, ensuring we stay well within safe limits. We've been doing this for decades in residential areas across Eastern Ontario. Pre-blast surveys of nearby structures are available on request. Safety is the foundation of everything we do at Frank's.
How deep will my well be?
Dug wells in Eastern Ontario typically range from 10 to 25 feet into bedrock, though this varies depending on the geology of your specific property. The depth is determined by where we encounter sufficient water flow in the fractured rock. During the site visit, we can give you a better estimate based on the terrain, neighbouring well records, and our experience in your area.
Can you dig a well in winter?
We can, though most customers prefer spring through fall for scheduling and site access reasons. Winter work is possible when ground conditions allow equipment access, but frozen ground and snow can add complexity. If timing is critical, give us a call and we'll assess whether a winter job makes sense for your property.
What area do you serve?
Our well division serves all of Eastern Ontario, with a focus on Lennox & Addington, Frontenac County, Hastings County, Prince Edward County, and Leeds & Grenville. We're based in Newburgh, ON, which puts us central to most of the region's Canadian Shield bedrock where dug wells are the standard. If you're unsure whether your property is in our service area, just call — we'll let you know right away.
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Get In Touch

Need a Well?

Call us or send an email. We'll get back to you within one business day to discuss your property and schedule a site visit.

Call 613-378-2178 info@fdbltd.com
Based in Newburgh, ON
Serving Eastern Ontario
Response within 1 business day