Water Wells and Pumps residential, commerical, geothermal systems

Water Wells & Pumps

How Water Wells Work

In a typical home water system the first step is the well itself. A
hole is drilled into the ground extending down into the water
bearing formation or aquifer. A pump system is then needed to
push the water upward out of the well to a pressurized tank,
usually located in a utility room, which is used to store water for
use when the pump is not running. A pump will only run when the
water level in the tank is low. From here the water is piped into
the homes taps and fixtures for our everyday use.

About Water Wells

Ground water is part of the Hydrological System. The Hydrological
System is the constant movement of water from the atmosphere,
to the ground, to rivers and back to the ocean. Beneath the
ground water moves through the sand, gravel and cracks or
fissures in rock formations. Saturated formations are called
Aquifers. Some aquifers can occur over long distances and to
great depths while others are small and localized. However, there
are parts of the country that ground water is scarce. A private
well system offers people the independence of owning and
controlling their own water supply. The benefits include no
monthly water bills and no fees or restrictions during periods of
drought. Planning, design and construction of a well are all
determined by the geological conditions, the purpose for needing
the water and complying with local regulations. An experienced
water well drilling company will have current information on all
state and local restrictions and permits that are required for
drilling. The driller will recommend the best place for the well, the
required distance from structures and will have records of all other
wells that have been drilled in that area. There are several
methods of drilling but most common are rotary and air drilling.
See "How Wells are Drilled" for more information. Once the well
has been drilled a pump must be installed into the well. The pump
is the system that pushes the water out of the well and into the
house. See "Pumps" for more information. Just like with anything
else, it is a good idea to have your water well system checked by
an experienced pump serviceman from time to time to make sure
everything is running properly. It is also important to test your
water annually to insure no contamination has occurred.

Choosing a Drilling Company

Choosing the right company is a crucial decision. It is important
to ask questions, get information, and to know what is expected
of you and the driller. Asking the right questions now will prevent
problems down the road. First and Foremost a Driller must have
the proper license and insurance. Ask around, get lots of opinions
of the drilling company you are interested in. Compare estimates,
if one is cheaper, find out why. The more you know beforehand,
the better you will feel when making your final decision.