How to Find a Well on Your Property | SCWS

Lost track of your well location? Learn how to locate abandoned or hidden wells on California property using records, physical signs, and professional detection methods.

📋 In This Guide

Searching Public Records
Physical Signs to Look For
Professional Detection Methods
What to Do Once Found
Frequently Asked Questions

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Searching Public Records

Start with your county's environmental health or water resources department. Well completion reports filed since the 1950s include location descriptions, depths, and construction details. County assessor records may note wells as property improvements. Building department permits sometimes reference well locations. The DWR Online Well Completion Report Database covers many California wells but isn't comprehensive for older installations.

Physical Signs to Look For

Walk your property looking for: circular concrete caps (often overgrown), small sheds or pump houses, unusually green or dead vegetation circles, electrical panels with no obvious purpose, and depressions in the ground. Check near old structures—wells were typically drilled close to homes. Look for pipe remnants, pressure tanks, or valve boxes. Old aerial photos (available through historical societies or Google Earth's timeline) can reveal structures that no longer exist.

Professional Detection Methods

When records and visual inspection fail, professionals use magnetometers to detect metal casings and well equipment. Ground-penetrating radar can locate well shafts and voids. Some contractors use probing equipment to physically locate buried caps. Metal detectors help find shallower components. Professional location services typically cost $300-$800 and are worthwhile for properties with known but unlocated wells.

What to Do Once Found

Document the location with GPS coordinates and photographs. Have a professional assess the well's condition—it may be usable, need rehabilitation, or require proper abandonment. If usable, update county records with accurate location information. If abandoned, arrange for proper destruction following county guidelines. Never use water from an unknown well without testing—contamination risks are significant.

We service all major pump brands including Franklin Electric, Grundfos, Goulds (Xylem), and Sta-Rite (Pentair). Our trucks carry common parts and components for same-day repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there records showing where my well is located?

Possibly. Check with your county environmental health department for well completion reports, which include location descriptions. County assessor records, building permits, and septic permits sometimes reference well locations. The California Department of Water Resources maintains a well database, though older wells may not be included.

What are signs of an old well on my property?

Look for: circular depressions in the ground, areas where grass grows differently (greener or browner), old concrete pads or caps, unusual pipe stubs, pump house foundations, old electrical conduits leading nowhere, or windmill remnants. Ask longtime neighbors or previous owners—they often know about old wells.

Do I need to do anything about an abandoned well?

Yes. California law requires proper destruction of abandoned wells to prevent groundwater contamination. Unsealed wells can allow surface pollutants to reach aquifers. Contact your county environmental health department about destruction requirements. Costs typically range from $1,000-$5,000 depending on well depth and construction.