Blog Layout

A Quick Guide to the 3 Main Types of Wells

Admin • Sep 11, 2020

Well Blue Water Pump — Crane, MO — Lefty's Pump & Drilling Co

Wells are excellent sources of water if dug correctly. Wells pull clean water from underground rivers, called aquifers, underneath the ground. As long as you dig your well so the hole is beneath the waterline, it will not run dry. However, a good well is slightly more complicated.

Three main types of wells exist: dug wells, driven wells, and drilled wells. Depending on your landscape, one of these types will be right for you.

1. Dug Wells

These wells are the oldest type of well. These were once made with hand shovels and went as deep as the digger could go.

Dug wells are easy and simple to build. Technically, you could build one of these wells yourself, though that is not advised.

Dug wells are usually a bad choice for any type of landscape. Because they are shallow, the water in these wells is easily contaminated by the surrounding area. If not built correctly, the well can collapse.

If you are set on digging a well, make sure to place it on a high point of your landscape, with the land sloping downwards all around it. Also, make sure to build it far away from any septic tanks or animals. If you are careful, your dug well will provide you with water frequently, though it may dry up in times of drought.

2. Driven Well

Driven wells are, on average, shallower than others on this list. To build one, you drive a small pipe into soft ground where it acts as a sort of straw to separate moisture from the soil around it.

These wells are often the cheapest to build. If you happen to be on soft ground and don't have many contaminants to worry about, this is the well for you.

They have a similar problem to dug wells. Since driven wells are so shallow, they are easily contaminated by anything else in the area. Driven wells are also restrictive in that they can only be used in select circumstances.

If you happen to live in an area that can support a driven well, then it can be a money and timesaver. However, these wells can also dry up with bad weather, so be sure to have a backup plan in case your well runs dry.

3. Drilled Well

A drilled well is the most common type of well. They can go anywhere from 100 to 1000 feet below ground and are good options for almost any type of landscape.

These wells dive far beneath the surface, meaning that you don't usually have to worry about contamination. As long as your well is sealed properly, you can build it almost anywhere.

The drills that build these wells can go through solid rock, so you don't have to worry about what kind of soil you have on your land. All you need is an aquifer somewhere beneath your feet, and a drilled well will give you access to a constant water supply.

Drilled wells are often the most reliable type of well. Because they go so deep, they can go far beyond the waterline of the aquifer. Even in times of drought, your well will usually have water.

People have used wells for centuries as primary water sources. With modern technology, wells are more efficient and more reliable than they ever have been. A good well depends on your landscape and vertical distance from an aquifer. Though drilled wells are often your best option, the other two have their own perks in the right situations.

At Lefty's Pump & Drilling, we provide quality well drilling at competitive prices. We have been working for over 50 years and pride ourselves on our superior work and dedicated service. Contact us so we can help you with your well drilling needs.

< Older Post