Types of Water Well Systems: Some Commonalities
According to Groundwater Foundation, “Wells come in different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of material the well is drilled into and how much water is being pumped out.”1 While there are different types of water well systems, many modern wells, and even some ancient ones, have the same basic components. Regardless of the system used, water in the underground aquifer must be reached and somehow drawn to the surface for everyday human use. Types of wells include irrigation, shallow, geothermal, artesian and sand point.2
Water Well Lining
In ancient times, wells were dug by hand. Once the excavator reached the water table, “the well was lined with stones, brick, tile, or other material to prevent collapse, and was covered with a cap of wood, stone, or concrete,” according to United States Geological Survey.3 Though this method limited the depth of the well, similar concepts are used in modern wells.
While driven wells are established by driving pipe into soft earth, most modern wells are drilled wells, for which rotary bits are used to excavate the surrounding earth.4 Like ancient wells, the bored hole is lined with some type of casing to prevent collapse, but modern casing is typically made of carbon steel, plastic or stainless steel, which also helps prevent contaminants from seeping into the well water.5
“The casing also provides housing for a pumping mechanism and for the pipe that moves water from the pump to the surface. Below the casing, the lower portion of the borehole is the intake through which water enters the well.”6
Well Cap
Many wells also include a well cap—commonly made of aluminum or thermoplastic—fit snugly on top of the casing to keep out debris, insects and small animals.7
Screen Filter
On the other side of the casing, at the bottom of the well system, is some sort of screen filter, which allows water through while filtering out unwanted particles.8 Some well systems also have a gravel pack outside the screen “to prevent sand from entering the well or clogging the screen and to stabilize the well assembly.”9
Water Pump
The central component of the system is the water pump.10 This is the critical mechanism that draws water from underground to the surface for usage. Today’s most popular types of pumps—jet pumps and submersible pumps—rely on centrifugal force to draw the water upward.11
These are some of the common components of water wells. In some areas, public wells provide drinking water to municipalities; private wells “do not serve the public water supply and are largely unregulated,” said the Texas Groundwater Protection Committee.”12
Unfortunately, many of the world’s poor lack any type of proper water system, public or private. Some water wells, installed by various charities in response to this need, provide clean water to impoverished people who would otherwise suffer without. Jesus Wells, for example, are part of GFA World’s clean water initiatives that have helped more than 38 million people gain access to clean water. These wells are dug up to 2,000 feet to reach aquifers deep below the surface, ensuring access to water year-round. Heavy-duty handpumps, typically the India Mark II model, draw the water to the surface.
1 “What is a Well?” Groundwater Foundation. https://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/basics/wells.html. November 8, 2021.
2 “Well Drilling Costs.” Central Valley Flood Protection Board. http://cvfpb.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/8b.-EIS-Attachment-Well-Drilling-Costs.pdf. Accessed November 9, 2021.
3 “Groundwater wells.” USGS. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/groundwater-wells?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects. Accessed November 9, 2021.
4 Groundwater wells.” USGS. https://www.usgs.gov/special-topic/water-science-school/science/groundwater-wells?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects. Accessed November 9, 2021.
5 “Well System Components.” Wellowner.org. http://wellowner.org/resources/basics/well-system-components/. Accessed November 9, 2021.
6 “What is a Drilled Well?” Wellowner.org. http://wellowner.org/resources/basics/what-is-a-drilled-well/. Accessed November 9, 2021.
7 “Well System Components.” Wellowner.org. http://wellowner.org/resources/basics/well-system-components/. Accessed November 9, 2021.
8 “What is a Well?” Groundwater Foundation. https://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/basics/wells.html. November 8, 2021.
9 “What is a Well?” Groundwater Foundation. https://www.groundwater.org/get-informed/basics/wells.html. November 8, 2021.
10 Castelo, Jeremiah. “How Does a Well Pump Work: Well Water Basics.” https://worldwaterreserve.com/potable-water/well-water-pumping/how-does-a-well-pump-work/. February 27, 2019.
11 Castelo, Jeremiah. “How Does a Well Pump Work: Well Water Basics.” https://worldwaterreserve.com/potable-water/well-water-pumping/how-does-a-well-pump-work/. February 27, 2019.
12 “Water Wells.” Texas Groundwater Protection Committee. https://tgpc.texas.gov/water-wells/. Accessed November 8, 2021.