If you live on a farm or in an area that doesn’t have access to municipal water, you may consider installing your private well. A drilled well is an excellent way to access groundwater for household use. However, there are some things that you should consider before undertaking this important project. Let’s look at the three most common types of wells—drilled wells, driven wells, and dug wells. After reading this article, you will know more about these options and what they can do for your home!
Drilled Wells
You may have heard the term “drilled well” before, but what does it mean? A drilled well is a type of water supply that is created when a borehole (a narrow shaft) is drilled into the ground. Drilled wells are Indiana’s most common type of water source, with more than 40 percent of households relying on them as their primary water source.
Drilled wells are usually deeper than dug wells and driven wells. Because they must reach so far underground, drilled wells require much more expensive equipment to drill and build than other types of private wells.
There are essentially three types of drilled water wells.
- Bored or shallow wells are usually bored into an unconfined water source, generally found at depths of 100 feet or less.
- Consolidated or rock wells are drilled into a formation consisting entirely of a natural rock formation that contains no soil and does not collapse.
- Unconsolidated or sand wells are drilled into a formation consisting of soil, sand, gravel, or clay material that collapses upon itself.
Dug Wells
A dug well is another common type of private water well. You can use a backhoe to dig a hole in the ground, then line it with concrete. The casing will be inserted into the concrete lining and capped with a well cover.
This type of well is very common because it’s relatively easy to install and maintain. Backhoe wells are typically used for shallow water tables, between 30 and 150 feet below ground.
You can also use a backhoe to dig a well lined with plastic pipe instead of concrete. This type of well is called an open-cut well because concrete walls don’t seal off the sides of the hole. It’s important for homeowners who live near aquifers to install an open-cut well so that they don’t disturb the water table.
Additionally, drilling or digging a well by hand is generally more appropriate for wells that will be used exclusively for light irrigation or landscaping. This is because contamination is less of a concern if the water isn’t going to be consumed by humans or animals—although you should still ensure your well is properly tested, especially if you will be eating vegetables and fruits grown with the water. You will also likely need professional equipment to drill a large enough well to meet your household needs.
Driven Wells
Driven wells are another common type of private water well that we come across in Central Indiana They can have a narrow diameter that makes them suitable for use in areas with high water tables.
Driven wells are usually made of steel and they do have to be driven through the ground until they reach a suitable aquifer. Driven wells are often used for household water supplies because they are very simple and inexpensive to install, but are generally unsuitable for commercial or industrial water supplies because they are too shallow and may run dry in certain conditions.
C&J Well Company are experts at drilling and maintaining water wells
There are many things to consider when choosing a well for your home. The drilling company you decide to go with should investigate the quality of your water and be able to tell you what type of water supply will best suit your needs. Also, ensure they have years of experience working on wells and dealing with private wells, as many factors could affect how long it takes to finish installing it.
C&J Well Co. is an expert at drilling and maintaining water wells. We have over 25 years of experience in the well drilling industry and have completed thousands of wells for our customers.
If you’re interested in learning more about our services, call us today! Our friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our company or the process of finding and installing a private water well on your property.
