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.