how drilled water wells work

2023-06-27

People have used wells for over eight thousand years to access water from deep underground aquifers. These structures are built using excavation, drilling, boring, or driving to go below the ground and extract groundwater for consumption and other purposes. Well water can be raised manually or with advanced machinery and can be re-injected into the aquifer if required. In the past, wells were the only way to access water for mankind and their animals – a vital necessity that continues to sustain us today.

When searching for a water source, pinpointing the exact location of a well involves much more than simply assessing if groundwater is available. The yield of the well, any governmental regulations that need to be adhered to, and the depth of the water must all be taken into account when making a decision. Drilling fluid is poured through the drill bit to facilitate the process when creating a well in sedimentary rock formations; this also acts as cooling agent for said bit and guides cuttings away from the site. If needed, the entire circumference of the hole can even be expanded by placing the drill bit aside and allowing reaming to take place.

After the borehole has been drilled, a pipeline known as casing is carefully inserted. Its role is two-fold – to offer stability for the well, stopping it from caving in; as well as preventing contamination from outside elements like surface water and dirt. The gap between the casing and the sides of the hole is filled in with grout, a mixture containing sand, cement, and water.

To receive water from below, the bottom of the well is left exposed. However, it can be protected with a filter like mesh or sieve which stops any sediment and clumps of debris from contaminating the water station. Once that is done, the well is ready for usage.

Reaching into depths too great for the power of gravity alone, a pump is required to draw water from the well. The pump that is selected must be appropriate for both the amount of water needed, and the depth of the well itself. Consequently, every scenario requires a delicate assessment to determine the best course of action.

When just a small amount of water is needed but it’s not far below the ground, the best option is a gravity well. This type of well requires a hole to be made and then lined with a tube like structure. The tube will have deliberate openings in it so that the liquid can get in. Following this, a rope or chain must be connected to a bucket and carefully lowered into the well. The water is subsequently lifted by tugging on the rope or chain.

Pumps provide a reliable way to source water from wells that are too murky for the use of gravity wells. Various types of pumps operate on a similar principle, creating a vacuum that pulls up water from the depths. The most commonly utilized tool for well water extraction is the submersible pump, where an electric motor which is connected to a surface power source is set within the well.

A jet pump is necessary when the desired water source is too deep to be accessed by a submersible pump. The ingenious design of these pumps uses the pressure of the water beneath to push an initially small amount up and then leverage this to propel the remaining contents up through a piping system to the surface.

Upon reaching the surface, the water can become a viable source for drinking, irrigating crops, or other intended uses. Additionally, it can be collected and stowed away in a cistern or tank to be drawn upon later.