Many people who have a well or drink well water in Indianapolis wonder where the water comes from. There are a number of benefits to drinking well water; however, some precautions need to be taken. Understanding how well water works can help you make smart decisions that protect the health, safety, and well-being of your family.
The History of Well Water
To better understand modern wells and how they work, it’s important to have a brief understanding of the history of the well water system. It has been around for thousands of years. Some of the oldest wells date back more than 6,000 years.
Before the 19th century, wells were dug by hand. In the early 1800s, the first mechanical well drill was a success. This invention and its successors made it easier for people to drill faster and maintain the purity of the water as it traveled through steel pipes. Even though most Indiana municipalities, especially in Indianapolis, have access to municipal water, wells still play a vital role in the suburbs and rural areas.
Like their ancient counterparts, modern well water comes from underground aquifers. These aquifers sit under a layer of water-permeable rocks. When it rains, water seeps through the soil, is filtered, and resurfaces in springs or natural wells. Some of the water creates aquifers that end up becoming rivers and lakes and even end up making their way to the ocean.
How Deep Does a Well Need to Be to Work?
The depth of the well will vary based on the depth of the aquifer. It is recommended that your well be a minimum of 100 feet deep. At this level, you know that the water that comes to your faucet will be pure enough for you to drink. About 100 feet is a minimum depth. The deeper the well, the more filtered and potentially healthier the water will be.
Deeper well water has a higher level of minerals and fewer contaminants. Still, our water purification professionals at Cooper’s Water recommend that you use a well water filtration system before drinking or cooking well water to remove any potential impurities or contaminants.
What Are Dug Wells?
These are wells that are dug in the ground using a shovel. They are typically shallow, ranging between 10 and 30 feet. The inside is cased with stone, tile, or brick to prevent the well from collapsing. Because of how shallow they are, it is likely that the water is contaminated. It is not recommended that you drink water from shallow dug wells. If you do, it should be purified using a well filtration system before consumption.
How Do Driven Wells Work?
A driven well is a little bit deeper than a dug well. It is constructed by forcing or driving a pipe into the ground. Although they are a little bit deeper than a dug well, they are still not deep enough to provide clean drinking water. You should use a well purification system before consuming water from these wells.
How Deep Is a Drilled Well?
These are the deepest residential wells available. They can reach depths of thousands of feet. They must be dug by professionals and require casing installation. A drilled well is very expensive to make. However, the water from these wells is usually very pure. Because the water is filtered through different soil layers, it is a rich source of micronutrients and healthy minerals.
Even though a drilled well pulls water from the deepest water sources, it can still have some contaminants. Before drinking the water without purifying it, it’s best to test its contamination level. From there, you can determine the type of filtration system needed to keep the water safe for you and your family.
The Parts That Make a Well Work
A well will collect groundwater that is then moved through your home’s plumbing. Several parts work in tandem to make this process happen.
At the bottom of your well, there is a screen or a filter system. This filters out any debris or sediment from the water you are pulling up from the well. As the water travels through the screen, it enters the well casing. The casing connects the underground water from the well to your home’s plumbing system.
With modern wells, the casing will have a submersible pump. If you have an older well, it may have a ground pump. Either way, the pump is responsible for pushing water through the casing into your home’s plumbing network. From the well, the casing travels to a pressure tank that sends pressurized water into your home’s plumbing system. This way, you know that you will have sufficient water pressure through any of your plumbing fixtures or faucets.
The final part of the system is the wellhead. This is the tip of the casing that sticks out of the ground. This is an access point that allows you to sanitize the water in the well using water sanitization products. It has a cap or a cover to protect it from wildlife, pets, or debris.
How Long Does Water Last in a Well?
Wells typically last between 25 and 100 years, depending on their location. If there is a lot of rain and snow in the area, the well will last longer. Once all the water in the well has been used up, additional drilling may be required.
If the underground water level drops below the intake level, well water will run out. Although this is not a frequent occurrence, it can happen when there is a drought.
Since well water is rainwater that filters through the soil down to the aquifer, it is not treated or tested by the municipality. As the water travels through the soil, it can collect contaminants. Therefore, it’s a good idea to test your well water regularly and install a well filtration system.
Well water is usually hard. In addition to a filtration system, you may need a water softener. Some filtration systems also serve as water softeners.
Well water is known for its high iron concentration and its unpleasant smell. Iron can make water taste metallic, and it can stain your plumbing fixtures. By properly filtering your water, you can improve its taste and make it safer for your family to drink.
Enjoy Water Quality and Plumbing Services in Indianapolis, Indiana
At Cooper’s Water, we are proud to be the number one choice for water quality and plumbing services in Indianapolis. Our team has led the way in water quality and plumbing services since the 1980s. We boast an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation, we only hire experienced technicians, and we offer extra training to our team members as they need it.
Our services include water heater, sump pump, and garbage disposal installation and repair services. We offer water softeners, water filtration, and general plumbing installation and repair services as well. If you are looking for anything plumbing or water filtration-related, look no further. We have you covered. Contact Cooper’s Water today to learn more about the services we offer to Indianapolis residents.
