Well: Definition, Types, Benefits, Problems, and Maintenance
A well is a hole or shaft that is dug or drilled into the ground to access water from an underground aquifer. Wells are one of the oldest and most reliable sources of water for human use. Wells provide clean and safe drinking water for millions of people around the world, especially in rural areas where piped water is not available. Wells also have many benefits for health, agriculture, industry, and the environment. However, wells can also face some problems that affect their quality and quantity of water. Therefore, regular maintenance of wells is essential to ensure their proper functioning and longevity.
Types of Wells
There are different types of wells depending on how they are constructed and what kind of aquifer they tap into. Some of the most common types of wells are:
well
Drilled wells: These are wells that are constructed by either cable tool (percussion) or rotary-drilling machines. Drilled wells can penetrate unconsolidated material (such as sand or gravel) or bedrock (such as granite or limestone). Drilled wells require installation of casing and a screen to prevent inflow of sediment and collapse. They can be drilled more than 1,000 feet deep and have a diameter of 4 to 12 inches.
Driven wells: These are wells that are constructed by driving a small-diameter pipe into shallow water-bearing sand or gravel. Usually a screened well point is attached to the bottom of the casing before driving. Driven wells are relatively simple and economical to construct, but they can tap only shallow water and are easily contaminated from nearby surface sources because they are not sealed with grouting material. Driven wells are usually around 30 feet deep and have a diameter of 1 to 2 inches.
Dug wells: These are wells that are excavated by hand shovel or machine to below the water table. The well is lined with stones, bricks, tile, or other material to prevent collapse, and is covered with a cap of wood, stone, or concrete. Dug wells are the oldest type of wells and can be found in many parts of the world. However, they are also the most vulnerable to contamination from surface runoff or flooding. Dug wells are usually less than 50 feet deep and have a diameter of 3 to 6 feet.
Other types of wells: There are also other types of wells that have specific purposes or features. For example:
Artesian wells: These are wells that tap into confined aquifers that are under pressure. The water in these aquifers rises above the level of the aquifer without pumping.
Bored wells: These are wells that are drilled with an auger into unconsolidated material. They are similar to dug wells but have a smaller diameter and can go deeper.
Jetted wells: These are wells that are constructed by using high-pressure water jets to create a hole in the ground. They can be used in soft or loose soils.
Multilateral wells: These are wells that have more than one horizontal branch from a single vertical wellbore. They can increase the productivity and recovery of oil or gas from a reservoir.
Benefits of Wells
Wells have many benefits for human and environmental well-being. Some of the benefits of wells are:
Health benefits: Wells can reduce the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis. These diseases can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and death, especially among children and the elderly. Wells can also improve the nutrition and immunity of people by providing water for growing crops and raising livestock.
Environmental benefits: Wells can conserve water resources by using groundwater that is naturally replenished by rainfall and snowmelt. Wells can also reduce the need for surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, which can be polluted by agricultural runoff, industrial waste, or urban sewage. Wells can also prevent soil erosion and land degradation by providing water for irrigation and vegetation.
Economic benefits: Wells can increase the income and livelihood of people by providing water for various productive activities such as farming, fishing, manufacturing, and tourism. Wells can also reduce the cost and time of fetching water from distant or unreliable sources. Wells can also create employment opportunities for well drillers, pump installers, water testers, and maintenance workers.
Problems with Wells
Despite the benefits of wells, they can also face some problems that affect their quality and quantity of water. Some of the problems with wells are:
How to drill a well in your backyard
Best well water filtration system for home
How to tell if your well pump is bad
How to increase well water pressure in house
How to get rid of sulfur smell in well water
How to test well water for bacteria
How to shock a well with bleach
How to find a water well on your property
How much does it cost to dig a well
How deep should a well be for drinking water
How often should you test your well water
How to install a submersible well pump
How long does a well pump last
How to prime a well pump after power outage
How to seal an abandoned well
How to clean a well screen
How to fix a dry well
How to make a wishing well
How to build a hand pump for a well
How to lower the pH of well water
How to raise the pH of well water
How to soften hard well water
How to treat iron bacteria in well water
How to get rid of iron in well water
How to remove manganese from well water
How to remove arsenic from well water
How to remove fluoride from well water
How to remove nitrates from well water
How to remove radon from well water
How to remove sediment from well water
How to aerate well water
How to chlorinate well water
How to filter well water for irrigation
How to use hydrogen peroxide for well water treatment
How to sanitize a new well
How does a jet pump work for a well
What is the best pressure tank for a well
What is the best generator for a well pump
What is the best solar powered well pump
What is the best shallow well pump
What is the best deep well pump
What is the difference between a dug and drilled well
What is the difference between a bored and driven well
What is the difference between a sand point and a driven point well
What is the difference between an artesian and a submersible well
What are the signs of a bad pressure switch on a well pump
What are the benefits of alkaline ionized water from a wellness filter system
Sediment: This is the solid material that is suspended or dissolved in water. Sediment can clog the well screen or pump, reduce the water flow, and damage the well equipment. Sediment can also make the water cloudy, gritty, or discolored. Sediment can come from natural sources such as soil erosion or rock weathering, or from human activities such as construction, mining, or drilling.
Iron: This is a metal that is naturally present in some groundwater sources. Iron can cause the water to have a metallic taste, a reddish-brown color, and stains on plumbing fixtures, laundry, and dishes. Iron can also promote the growth of iron bacteria, which can form slimy deposits and foul odors in the well. Iron can be removed by using filters, softeners, oxidizers, or aeration.
Bacteria: These are microscopic organisms that can contaminate the well water and cause illness or infection. Bacteria can enter the well from surface runoff, septic systems, animal waste, or human activity. Bacteria can cause the water to have a bad smell, taste, or appearance. Bacteria can also produce toxins or gases that can corrode the well equipment. Bacteria can be eliminated by using disinfectants such as chlorine or ultraviolet light.
Hard water: This is water that has a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. Hard water can cause scaling or deposits on pipes, faucets, heaters, and appliances. Hard water can also reduce the effectiveness of soap and detergent, and make the water feel sticky or slippery. Hard water can be softened by using ion exchange units or reverse osmosis systems.
Acidity: This is a measure of how acidic or alkaline the water is. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral. Water with a pH below 7 is acidic, and water with a pH above 7 is alkaline. Acidity can affect the taste and corrosiveness of the water. Acidic water can have a sour taste and damage metal pipes and fixtures. Alkaline water can have a bitter taste and cause scaling or deposits. Acidity can be adjusted by using neutralizers such as limestone or soda ash.
Maintenance of Wells
To prevent or solve the problems with wells, regular maintenance of wells is essential to ensure their proper functioning and longevity. Some of the maintenance tasks for wells are:
Annual inspection: This is a visual check of the wellhead, casing, cap, seal, vent, screen, pump, wiring, piping, valves, and pressure tank. The inspection can detect any signs of damage, leakage, corrosion, or contamination. The inspection can also verify the proper operation and settings of the well equipment. The inspection should be done by a licensed well contractor or a qualified well owner.
Testing: This is a laboratory analysis of the well water for various parameters such as bacteria, nitrate, iron, hardness, pH, and others. The testing can reveal any changes or problems in the water quality that may affect the health or taste of the water. The testing can also help to determine the best treatment options for the water. The testing should be done at least once a year or more often if there are any noticeable changes in the water or if there are any nearby sources of pollution.
Filtering: This is a physical or chemical process that removes unwanted substances from the well water such as sediment, iron, manganese, sulfur, chlorine, and others. Filtering can improve the clarity, color, odor, and taste of the water. Filtering can also protect the well equipment from clogging or corrosion. Filtering can be done by using various devices such as cartridges, media tanks, reverse osmosis units, or distillers.
Disinfection: This is a chemical or physical process that kills or inactivates harmful microorganisms in the well water such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and others. Disinfection can prevent or treat waterborne diseases that can cause illness or infection. Disinfection can also eliminate bad smells or tastes caused by organic matter or gases in the water. Disinfection can be done by using various methods such as chlorine, iodine, ultraviolet light, or ozone.
Other maintenance tasks: These are other tasks that may be needed depending on the condition and performance of the well. For example:
Cleaning: This is a mechanical or chemical process that removes deposits or biofilms from the well screen, casing, pump, or piping. Cleaning can restore the water flow and pressure of the well. Cleaning can also prevent bacterial growth and corrosion in the well. Cleaning can be done by using various techniques such as brushing, jetting, surging, bailing, or acidizing.
Repairing: This is a process that fixes any damage or malfunction of the well equipment such as cracks, leaks, breaks, or wear. Repairing can ensure the safety and reliability of the well. Repairing can also extend the life span of the well. Repairing should be done by a licensed well contractor or a qualified well owner.
Abandoning: This is a process that permanently closes and seals a well that is no longer used or needed. Abandoning can prevent contamination of groundwater from surface sources or other wells. Abandoning can also prevent injury or liability from an unused or unsafe well. Abandoning should be done by a licensed well contractor according to state and local regulations.
Conclusion
A well is a valuable asset that provides clean and safe water for human and environmental use. However, a well also requires regular maintenance to ensure its proper functioning and longevity. A well owner should perform annual inspection and testing of the well water and equipment. A well owner should also use appropriate filtering and disinfection methods to improve the water quality and prevent diseases. A well owner should also perform other maintenance tasks such as cleaning, repairing, or abandoning as needed. By following these maintenance tips, a well owner can enjoy the benefits of wells for many years.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about wells:
Question
Answer
How much does it cost to drill a well?
The cost of drilling a well depends on many factors such as location, depth, diameter, type, and quality of the aquifer, and the equipment and labor involved. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of drilling a well in the US is about $6,000, ranging from $1,500 to $12,000.
How long does a well last?
Operate your well with care and caution that prevent any damage or intrusion to the wellhead, casing, cap, seal, vent, screen, pump, or piping.
Maintain your well regularly by inspecting, testing, filtering, disinfecting, cleaning, repairing, or abandoning as needed.
Educate yourself and others about the importance and responsibility of well water protection.
44f88ac181
Comments