Differences Between a Dug And Drilled Well

Dug vs. Drilled Well

Groundwater wells play an important role in every society. In a number of places and communities, wells can supply people with an ample and dependable amount of water. The water supply from the well is mainly important and helpful for different household usages, in irrigation activities, and for industrial needs. It would be hard for people to survive without access to groundwater, especially in places where there is scarcity in surface water. Basically, there are two common types of well – the dug wells and the drilled wells.

Dug Wells

Traditionally, dug wells are formed and built by initial excavation of the land area through the use of a hand shovel until it reaches lower than the water table and when the incoming water surpasses the bailing rate of the digger. After the digging, when the water has begun to seep out, the well will be lined using tile, stones, brick or any other material that can prevent the well from collapsing. It also needs to be covered with a cap of stone, wood or concrete materials. Moreover, during these modern times, there are also wells with significantly larger diameters which are bored or dug using power equipment. Usually, concrete tiles are used to line them. Since bored wells make use of more efficient equipment, they can be much deeper than the water table, compared to the depth that hand-dug wells can reach.

Dug wells are highly susceptible to contamination because they only obtain water from shallow aquifers. Usually, contaminants are thriving in areas nearer the surface. It is also a challenging task to make dug wells vermin and pest resistant. To make sure about the safety of a dug well, it would help to test it every fall and spring, especially if inadequate water supply is experienced.

Drilled Wells

This type of well is built with machines for rotary or percussion drilling. There are drilled wells that go deeper than dug wells, penetrating unconsolidated materials which can affect the quality of the water. Drilled wells can be more than 1000 feet deeper. Being this deep, there can be chemical or mineral additives present in the water that comes from drilled wells. Due to this possibility, drilled wells need to be installed with screens and casing. This is to avoid the collapse and influx of sediments and other particles. For new drilled wells, it is a must to get chemical testing to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the water supply. Furthermore, people planning to have drilled wells should research first about laws and ordinances of the city pertaining to the construction of this kind of well.

Even though drilled wells have lower chances of getting contaminated, it is still necessary to stop possible contamination of the well through draining of the water, starting from the surface down around the outer side of the casing. Sealing the space surrounding the casing will also help in keeping the well safe and clean. Generally, drilled wells can stay out of pollution and contaminant problems if the construction is made properly and the materials used are of top-caliber.

Summary:

Traditionally, dug wells are formed and built by initial excavation of the land area through the use of a hand shovel until it reaches lower than the water table and when the incoming water surpasses the bailing rate of the digger.

A drilled well is a type of well is built with machines for rotary or percussion drilling. There are drilled wells that go deeper than dug wells, penetrating unconsolidated materials which can affect the quality of the water. Drilled wells can be more than 1000 feet deeper.

Dug wells are highly susceptible to contamination because they only obtain water from shallow aquifers. Drilled wells have lower chances of being contaminated.

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