It helps to know the different underground water well types before you decide on the best one for your residential property. According to the EPA, there are three different private water well types used in the United States. King Water Wells explains what they are below so you understand better what it takes to have them installed and how well they will serve you and your family.
Bored or Dug Wells
Construction of this water well begins with a backhoe. A hole is dug into the ground to accommodate the well’s structure. In some cases, contractors might dig the hole with shovels for smaller wells. Once the hole is dug, contractors line it with brick, stones, or tiles to define the well’s structure and prevent dirt collapse. A bored or dug well is only about 10, 20, or 30-feet deep but it does have a large diameter. This well is not cased, or lined with the above-listed material, continuously.
Driven Wells
Driven wells are called this because contractors build them by driving pipes as far as 50 feet beneath the ground’s surface. Rather than dig a hole, line it, and then fill it with water or let the rain fill it with water naturally, driven wells draw water to the home through this ground piping. The piping is cased and then it draws water from nearby sources such as local aquifers. Consequently, this means the water could be contaminated if not treated before it reaches the home if the aquifer is contaminated.
Drilled Wells
A drilled well is constructed using a percussion or rotary-drill machine. The rotary drill digs thousands of feet underneath the ground’s surface to construct the well. These wells are cased and offer homeowners fewer contamination risks because they are drilled so deep and use continuous casing to keep the water safe. Although more expensive than the other options, a drilled well is an excellent option for private use and avoids the eyesore of a standing water well.
Standing Water Well
As an aside, you can also have a standing water well on private property provided the local authorities approve it. Many residential property owners don’t necessarily want a standing well because it’s out there for the whole world to see. This said, they offer water effectively and do not require drilling, so this might work for you if you’d prefer to keep everything above ground.
This information is general in nature. Call King Water Wells in Rockford, MI, for more information about private or commercial water well options and installation. We are experts in all things water wells and have the experienced personnel and equipment to install your new well.