Why drill a water well

While some well drilling companies install the casing as it drills, others might also install the piping separately after the drilling is complete. Keeping the water source clean. To prevent debris and other surface contaminants from getting into the water supply at the bottom of the well, filters must be installed.

These filters also prevent larger particles from being drawn into the water pump. Once drilling is complete, a screen is placed at the bottom of the well casing. Gravel, a natural filtration medium, is also used at the bottom of the well.

Elsewhere, such as where clayey material directly overlies bedrock, a deep well extending into bedrock may be needed. Many people in the United States and worldwide supply their own water for their homes, often in more rural locations that don't have large public-supply water systems to supply water. Here is a basic diagram showing how these wells function.

Although this diagram shows a single home, large wells that supply more customers work generally the same. Below are descriptions of the basic components found in a private water well. Source: National Ground Water Association. Geological Survey, , by Roger M. Quiz icon made by mynamepong from www. Want to learn more about groundwater wells? Groundwater is one of our most valuable resources—even though you probably never see it or even realize it is there.

There is water somewhere beneath your feet no matter where on Earth you live. Groundwater starts as precipitation, just as surface water does, and once water penetrates the ground, it continues moving, sometimes quickly and sometimes very slowly. Eventually groundwater emerges Learn about the quality and availability of groundwater for drinking, where and why groundwater quality is degraded, and where groundwater quality is changing. How much do you know about the water below your feet?

The National Water Quality Program seeks to answer four questions regarding the quality of our freshwater resources: 1 What is the quality of the Nation's streams and groundwater? Commercial pesticide applicators, farmers, and homeowners apply about 1 billion pounds of pesticides annually to agricultural land, non-crop land, and urban areas throughout the United States.

The use of pesticides has helped to make the United States the largest producer of food in the world and has provided other benefits, but has also been accompanied by concerns about their potential Groundwater will normally look clear and clean because the ground naturally filters out particulate matter.

But did you know that natural and human-induced chemicals can be found in groundwater even if appears to be clean? Below is a list of some contaminants that can occur in groundwater. Artesian water is really not different from other groundwater, except for the fact that it flows to the land surface because pressure in the rocks underground force it to the surface. But, having water flow to the surface naturally is a handy way to tap groundwater resources.

Most of us don't have to look for water. We grew up either in big cities where there was a public water supply, or in small towns or on farms where the water came from wells. But there are some people to whom finding a new supply of water is vitally important.

As the salesmen sang in the musical The Music Man, "You gotta know the territory. Unconsolidated or sand wells are drilled into a formation consisting of soil, sand, gravel or clay material that collapses upon itself.

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. 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. Make sure that you are comparing each contractor along the same criteria, this is where your list of water needs and getting a detailed bid comes into play.

A qualified, licensed water well contractor should:. Remember that the cheapest bid is not always the best one and that references can be immensely helpful. Once the well is drilled, you can then move forward with the location placement of your onsite wastewater system and the building of your home.

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Skip to main content. Reviewing Your Water Needs Whether or not you have an existing residence or are building a new home, making a list of you known water needs is an important initial step.