(Natural News) Drilling companies charge thousands of dollars to access groundwater sources that you can often reach by yourself – all you need are a few common tools and a couple days' worth of manual labor. If disaster strikes, a steady supply of water will be essential. Many homesteaders install their own water supply systems, such as a well.

Before SHTF and you lose access to running water, consider learning how to build your own well on your homestead. (h/t to BeSurvival.com)

Do your homework

Your location is a key factor. If you live in the deep south — like in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, or Florida — and you are not in the hills, your drill depth may be shallow – less than 80 feet. Conversely, if you live further north and in more hilly areas, the drill depth may be significantly deeper. If your house is on a scenic hill, it may add hundreds of feet to the water level, which would require more money for drilling and installation.

The type of soil also impacts the drilling. Rocky soil or compacted clay can affect the time it would take to drill through and the type of drill bits needed to get through the ground.

Ask around the neighborhood about the wells in the area. Neighbors, particularly old-timers, often know the area well enough to give you some idea of what lies beneath the subsoil. If your closest neighbor is 10 miles down the road, the soil composition is bound to be similar and the water level is probably pretty close to what you will have.

If the property you bought has an existing well, find out when it was drilled; the depth of the drilling; and the water depth when it was drilled. If the well was drilled over 25 to 30 years ago, there may be no county records of it.

If your chosen homestead has an existing well pump, don't immediately replace it thinking it may break down on you. Find out as much as you can about it, like what type or size of pipe was used or what brand or size of pump was installed.