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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 many years does a water well last?
The average lifespan for a well is 30–50 years. 2. How deep is the well? Drilled wells typically go down 100 feet or more.
Where does water go when you have a well?
The well system gets capped off above ground. The water then enters your home from a pipe connected between the casing and a pressure tank (generally located in your home’s basement). From there, it gets distributed to faucets throughout your home.
Is a water well a good investment?
Look into the local ground water supply in general, too, to make sure you’re comfortable with its condition. If you have a private well on your property, or if you’re looking at buying a property that has one, you can assume that the well will be an asset overall, as long as it is clean and well maintained.
Do wells run out of water?
When a well “runs dry” it doesn’t mean that the well will never produce water again. Aquifers can recharge through a combination of more precipitation and less pumps pulling water out of that aquifer. Sometimes wells can run dry permanently, but that is quite uncommon.
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.
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.
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.
How does a well get its water?
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 deep is a well for water?
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.
Can a well save you money?
Digging a well on your property can actually save you money on your metered utility water bill. A shallow well will pay for itself in about one year (cost of installation around $2400) and a deep one will reap you savings benefits in year two.
Why would you have to drill a new well?
1: A New Private Water Well Saves You Money. Once your new private well is drilled, you can say goodbye to monthly water bills. The water pumped from the ground and into your home is completely free, no matter how much you use. And, you won’t have to worry about city-wide use restrictions.
Why would you need to dig a new well?
When The Well Runs Dry. Water can never dry up, under the ground. It will only dry in a well, if there was a constant use of it, but the level was not deep enough. The water underground normally comes in layers, and if the well dries up, it will be needed to be deepened or new well drilled.
How can I tell how much water is in my well?
To determine the amount, you must measure the depth to water and the total well depth. Subtracting the depth to water from total well depth will give you length of the water column. Multiply the length of water column in feet by the gallon volume per given diameter.
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.
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.
Do I need to filter my well water?
Well water filters are highly recommended to improve the taste, odor, appearance, and health of your water. A well water filter system will protect your household from harmful contaminants that may be in the water.
What kind of maintenance does a well need?
Wells should be checked and tested ANNUALLY for mechanical problems, cleanliness, and the presence of certain contaminants, such as coliform bacteria, nitrates/nitrites, and any other contaminants of local concern, (for example, arsenic and radon).
