sys nstalling a well is the most commoniy used method ot obtaining a sOurce of

wact prings may be used when available. Most private water systems use weils to
tap
ncunderground water source. Manyindustries and buSinesses that dravw ther
wa rom community systems have alternative private systems that can be put into
opel atioh in case of a water shortage from breakdown of the community system or a

proioged drought Experts (usually consulting mechanical engineerS. geoiogicai

engiieerS, Or water suppiy and treatment specialists) shouid be consuited early in the
pla g Tor any large project requiring its own private water system. Such specialists
can make tests, interpret what the tests mean to the project, and make
recommendations as to the quality and amount of water availabie Permits from s tate
or local
governmentai entities are also required
Well Systems
A modern weli system consists of a weli, a motor-driven pump, and a storage 1afik in
most systems, the pump draws water from the well where it is stored in a storage tank
A SWIich activated by water pressure controis the pump As water is consumed the
building, it is drawn from the storage tank and the piessure in the tank decieases
When tank pressure drops to a preset cut-in pressure level. the switch activates the
well pump. Pumped water replaces the water drawn from the tank. The pump is
SWitched off when the tank pressure rises to a preset cut-out pressure

Types of Wells
Wells are classified according to their depth and the method used to construct the wel
Classification Depth Construction Method
Less than 25 ft (7.6 m) in Dug, drven, and shaliow
Shallow depth bored
25 ft (7.6 m) or more in
Deep depth
Driiled and bored

19
The depth of the well is determined by the depth of the water table and the ambunt
t
water that be pumped from that
can depth.Where the water table is high.
may be
water table 1s
nece odry to go less than 25 ft (7.6 m) into the earth. Where a suitableThere are three
deep. t is not unusual for a well to be 1000 ft (305 m) or more deep
12 3) 1oday
comin types ofwaterwells. dug, driven, and bored/drilled (See Figure
the driled well is the most common type for private water Supply

Dug Wells
Dug vels are shallow wells, generally not more than 25 ft (7.6 m) deep and typically
backnoe
3 to (1 to 2 m) in diameter. They are typically made by excavation v/ith a
6 ft
used tor
or excavator but can be hand shoveled, as this was the method typicalfy
hundreds of years. (See Figure 12.4.) The excavation of a dug well is ined Witn rotK,|

material or angtner
masonry, cast concrete, prefabricated concrete pipe, ceramic
steel or concrete
Substance. Water enters the well through joints in the top 20 ft or so of
the well should nave a
casing.o minimize the chances of surface contamination,
the ground or sioped so that
walertight top and walls. The top should be either above
walls shoulid extend
surtace water will run away from it and not over it. The watertight
flow into the weli through
at ieast 10 ft (3 m) into the earth. Generally, groundwater vill
about the level of the water
the bottom of the weli and the water in the weli will rise to
the walls by using porous
table. Some wells also aliow water to seep through
construction materials near the bottom of the wall.
This porous Construction may be
without mortar. The placing of
perforated seepage pits or concrete masonry placed
and on the siIdes of the weli when porous
washed gravel in the bottom of the dug wel,
or discoloration in the weil water.
Washed
walls are used, will reduce the sand particles
that has been put through a wash (water sprayed
gravel is gravel (rounded river stone) To further protect
over the stone) to remove
much of the sand or clay from the stone.
seal is required around the suction ine
the water from possible contamination, tight
a
vuinerable
Because they are shallow, dug wells are
where it passes through the wall. trash
sources such as cattle manure, fertilizer,
to contamination from surface poliution
rivers and streams can also carry poilutants into
and so forth. Surface flooding from
wells are typically no ionger permtted to
the well. Because of this susceptibility, dug and
areas. They can be used for irrigation
provide potable water in developed
industrial appiications