Table of Contents
A well is simply a vertical hole in the ground that extends past the water table and into the saturated zone. Water from the surrounding aquifer fills in the vertical hole, or well, which can be pumped. As water is pumped out, water from the surrounding aquifer seeps back into the well borehole.
How does water get into a well?
Most wells do not get their water from underground rivers, but instead get the water from aquifers. New water, such as from rain or melting snow, drips down into the ground through the pores and cracks in the rocks and soil.
How long does a well usually last?
While people might say well’s life expectancy should be between 25 and 100 years, there’s no way to give an exact answer. However, we can calculate a reliable estimate of your well’s life expectancy if we know more about the type of well and conditions where the well might be located.
How does a well replenish?
Groundwater supplies are replenished, or recharged, by rain and snow melt that seeps down into the cracks and crevices beneath the land’s surface. A well is a pipe in the ground that fills with groundwater. This water can be brought to the surface by a pump.
Does a well run out of water?
Like any resource, well water can run out if not monitored and managed correctly. It’s unlikely a well will permanently run out of water.
Is it OK to drink well water?
Well water can be safe for drinking and all other household needs, as long as you make sure to test your water supply regularly and select treatment solutions in line with your results. Learn more about the well water treatment options that are available for your specific needs.
Can heavy rain affect well water?
If you feel that surface water may be leaking into your well, it’s time to take a look at your wellhead. It’s very unlikely heavy rain will affect a well-built and functional water well. Contaminants may also be seeping through or along the outside of the well casing.
How deep is an average well?
Most household water wells range from 100 to 800 feet deep, but a few are over 1,000 feet deep. Well yields can be increased by fracturing the bedrock immediately around the drill hole and intercepted rock faults.
How often should I clean my well?
9. As a routine maintenance practice, clean your well at least once a year. If you have an iron or sulfur bacteria problem, clean more often.
Can a well run dry?
With even moderate declines in groundwater levels, researchers have found, millions of wells could run dry. The researchers analyzed records for about 39 million wells in 40 countries or territories and found that between 6% and 20% of wells are no more than 5 meters (16 feet) deeper than the water table.
Does rain fill your well?
YES! Rainfall has a direct impact on the local water table, which may immediately impact your residential well if it is supplied by shallow aquifers. Your well may not ‘fill up’ when it rains, but it does reap the indirect benefits.
Does homeowners insurance cover well going dry?
Generally, insurance will only cover a dry well if it ran dry because of an issue that is identified under your homeowner’s insurance policy. Insurance may make exceptions for “named perils” such as a fire, but it can also include volcanic activity, a collapsed sinkhole, or explosive events.
How do you maintain a well?
Keep hazardous chemicals, such as paint, fertilizer, pesticides and motor oil away from your well. Periodically check the well cover or well cap on top of the casing (well) to ensure it is in good repair. Always maintain proper separation between your well and buildings, waste systems, or chemical storage facilities.
How many gallons is the average well?
A typical 6-inch-diameter well will store about 1.5 gallons of water for every foot of standing water in the borehole and a 10-inch well stores about 4 gallons of water per foot. Therefore, a 6-inch-diameter well with about 100 feet of standing water in the borehole would contain about 150 gallons of stored water.
Can you run your well dry filling a pool?
Filling a Pool with Well Water: What to Consider. If it has a high flow rate, the well can most likely fill a pool, but with a low flow rate, it may run dry. You should also consider whether you’re sharing the water table with neighbors and whether you’re currently in a drought.
How fast do wells refill?
In ideal conditions, a water well will refill at five gallons per minute. It takes two hours to fill a 600-gallon well. Not all wells exist under ideal conditions. There are several factors that can speed up or delay the time it takes to refill.
Can you shower in well water?
If your water at home is from a private well or small community well, you should boil the water or use approved bottled water for drinking. Sometimes a well is more likely to become contaminated with bacteria. Bathing is not a problem using well water.
Why does well water smell?
The main reason for the smell is sulfur bacteria or hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur bacteria are found in environments that lack oxygen, like deep wells. You’ll also find such issues in areas having plumbing systems and organic matter.
What are the disadvantages of well water?
Disadvantages of well water include: Hard Water and Scale Buildup. Harmful contaminants such as bacteria, lead, and arsenic. Pumps need to be replaced every 10 or so years. Bad taste.
