Water wells in Piedmont, OK
Piedmont, northwest of OKC in Canadian County, writes private wells into its subdivision rules. When a lot is not reasonably accessible to a water main, the requirement for public water may be waived and a private well used, provided well drilling is properly approved and the well and septic location criteria are met (Piedmont Subdivision Regulations (April 2022)).
Lot size matters
The same regulations set a minimum of one-half acre for public water with septic, and 35,000 square feet for a private well with septic, or as DEQ requires (Piedmont Subdivision Regulations (April 2022)). Splitting land? Plan the well site before the survey.
Shallower wells on average
Canadian County has the shallowest wells in the metro by median, about 120 feet, with most between 72 and 150 feet. That brings the modeled complete system down to about $7,200 to $12,000 (OWRB-based cost index). Canadian County is not among the counties OWRB lists over the Garber-Wellington basin (OWRB Garber-Wellington basin order), so local formations vary more; ask drillers about nearby completion reports.
Piedmont checklist
- Ask the Community Development office what it needs for a lot split with a well.
- Request the per-foot rate and the depth estimate in writing.
- Test for nitrate and bacteria before moving in (OSU Extension: Well Water Basics).
New homes on raw land
Builders on Piedmont acreage often drill the well first so construction crews have water. Coordinate the well, the septic field and the house pad on one site plan, since the state setbacks run from the well to the tank and lateral field (OAC 785:35-7-1). Moving a well after it is drilled means paying for a second hole and plugging the first.
More: county cost table, state rules, water testing.