It is not possible for the living things in the world – humans, animals, plant life, and many more, to live without water. Water is a necessity in order for us to survive. In fact, humans can only live for three days without drinking water, but can survive for many days or a couple of weeks before starving.
This is why water is very important, and why humans have always looked for sources of safe and clean drinking water that can also be used for our daily tasks such as cooking, laundry, and washing the dishes. Although the world is made up of at least 97% water, this does not mean that we can easily and conveniently use them for our necessities.
One of the innovative inventions that were made by people to be able to get clean water is a well. Back in the earlier times, wells were dug using tools such as bronze, iron, and copper and are utilized in farming. Water from wells can be gathered by using buckets to scoop them out of the container. Nowadays, wells can be dug or drilled using a machine, and the water can even be conveniently distributed throughout the faucets in your home.
Where do wells get their water?
A well does not magically produce water on its own. It also has a source where it can get its water supply so that it will continue to function. Wells mainly uses groundwater as its source. Groundwater is stored by aquifers – which are the layers of rocks that stores water taken from rain and other water forms, such as rivers, lakes, and springs. Depending on your location, the water from your wells may be taken in any water form that is near your community.
Because the possibility of getting water is highly dependent on the presence of aquifers in a particular area, this is the reason why homeowners do not have the authority to decide where their wells will be installed. If a community or a private owner wants to have their well drilled in a specific place but the contractor decides to place it in another, this is likely because they have inferred that the supply will not be enough for a well to be drilled.
There can be many types of aquifers, and depending on your area, you may have only one or two aquifers that are present which can be used as your well’s water supplier. As mentioned above, an aquifer can is a water-bearing layer. When only one aquifer is in your location, your professional well contractor would dig a deeper well to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the water, as it can easily be contaminated with the rainwater that can contain pollution and bacteria.
If there are two or more aquifers in your area, there will be an upper aquifer which is also called a phreatic aquifer. The water from the phreatic aquifer may travel down to the second aquifer up to the bottom where it can stay until it has been pumped up by the well. When there are multiple aquifers present, your contractor will decide to drill your well screen (which functions as the filter and is placed at the very bottom of your well) at the deepest aquifer.
The reason why it would be best to have several aquifers in the location of your well is that the phreatic aquifer can be easily contaminated and can also be the carrier of bacteria and diseases. When the bottom aquifer is utilized, there is a higher chance that the stored water will be safer to consume.
Is it possible for a well to dry out?
Due to the fact that wells are mainly getting their water from aquifers, this would also mean that they can dry out when there is no longer enough supply of water. When an aquifer is being pumped out of its moisture before it can be recharged, there will come a time when it will not be able to provide water that it has been releasing before. If this is the case, your wells will eventually dry out, and there are several things you can do about it. Oftentimes, well owners are advised to just wait it out, as the aquifers can be replenished in a couple of days or weeks.
When there is a drought, the wells will also be affected, as there will not be enough supply to get water. In communities where wells are heavily relied on, the local government may issue an announcement of the drought and will advise the locals to use their water sparingly.
If you have a private groundwater well and you notice that it is drying out even if there is no drought, you will need to call your contractor to conduct an inspection to determine the cause.
How do you know that your well is drying out?
The water taken from wells is known to be clean and safe, especially when compared to the water from the bigger cities in the United States. However, there is a possibility of a well drying out, resulting in the owners being worried about what to do about it or if the water will return. If you are unsure of whether your well is drying out, here are the common signs:
Sputtering faucets
One of the signs that your well does not have sufficient supply is when the faucets in your house are sputtering when you try to use them, which is caused by air making its way into your pipes, instead of water.
Murky water
When the water is turning murky or cloudy, this can be due to the sediments that are being included with the water that was taken near the bottom of the well.
Higher electricity bill
Though there are many reasons why you may be having a higher electricity bill, it can also be caused by your pump working harder to get water.