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WHAT IS A WELL?
THE
GROUNDWATER FOUNDATION
A pipe and a pump are used to pull water out of the ground, and a
screen filters out unwanted particles that could clog the pipe.
Wells come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of
material the well is drilled into and how much water is being pumped out.
More than 42 million people in the United States use individual or
private wells to supply water for their families.
THREE BASIC TYPES OF WELLS
· Bored or shallow wells are
usually bored into an unconfined water source, generally found at depths of 100
feet or less.
· Consolidated or rock wells are
drilled into a formation consisting entirely of a natural rock formation that
contains no soil and does not collapse. Their average depth is about 250 feet.
· Unconsolidated or sand wells are
drilled into a formation consisting of soil, sand, gravel or clay material that
collapses upon itself.
WELL CONSTRUCTION
All private well construction is based on establishing the right
location for the well, sizing the system correctly and choosing the proper
construction techniques.
Only professional water well contractors should install wells. They
are familiar with the hydrology in an area and all local codes and regulations.
Proper well construction is key to operating and maintaining a well.
A well is composed of many components. The most important materials
used include:
· Casing is used to maintain an open access in the
earth while not allowing any entrance or leakage into the well from the
surrounding formations. The most popular materials used for casing are black
steel, galvanized steel, PVC pipe and concrete pipe.
· Grout is a sealant that is used to fill in the spaces
around the outside of the well. It protects the well against the intrusion of
contaminants. A grout mixture can be made of cement, bentonite, or concrete
(each used separately).
· Screen keeps sand and gravel out of the well while
allowing groundwater and water from formations to enter into the well. Screen
is available in many materials, the most popular being stainless steel and
slotted PVC pipe. Screen is used when wells are drilled into unconsolidated
materials.
· Gravel pack is placed around the outside of the screen
to prevent sand from entering the well or clogging the screen and to stabilize
the well assembly.
WELL CONTAMINATION
A well can easily be contaminated if it is not properly constructed or
if toxic materials are released into the well.
Toxic material spilled or dumped near a well can leach into the
aquifer and contaminate the groundwater drawn from that well.
Contaminated wells used for drinking water are especially dangerous.
Wells can be tested to see what chemicals, pathogens and other
contaminants may be in the well and if they are present in dangerous
quantities.
THINGS YOU CAN DO TO PROTECT YOUR GROUNDWATER AND
WATER WELL:
· Maintain your well
· Keep hazardous materials away from your well
· Install a well cap
· Use caution around your well
· Conserve water
· Learn more about well testing.
Special thanks to
the Water Systems Council for contributing information contained in this
article.
THE GROUNDWATER
FOUNDATION
CONNECTS PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGH LOCAL GROUNDWATER
EDUCATION AND ACTION, MAKING US ALL PART OF THE SOLUTION FOR CLEAN, SUSTAINABLE
GROUNDWATER.
We all rely on
groundwater in some way, and groundwater relies on us to protect it.
Learn more, get involved - collectively we make a difference!
Learn more, get involved - collectively we make a difference!
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