My husband and I closed on our home in the country this past February, and after two solid months of renovations, we moved in on April 1. Since that time, we’ve been trying to adjust to life with a septic system – and well water.
Just to clarify, we both grew up in the country and were used to our parents having well water. But since we moved away from our parents’ homes almost two decades ago, we’ve used city water ever since.
I have to tell you, there’s something really nice about turning on your water and not really wondering about where it’s coming from.
In the country, though, well water is a completely different thing. And for the past ten months, we’ve been adjusting to it. (I admit I really appreciate city water and sewer now.) Here’s a crash course in well water:
For starters
When a house is built in the country, a well for water is constructed. Water wells can either be drilled, driven, or dug.
- Drilled wells are drilled with a tool and require casing and a screen to prevent collapse and sediment contamination. Drilled wells can be drilled more than 1,000 feet deep.
- Driven wells are made when a pipe is driven into shallow water-bearing gravel or sand. Screens and casings are also necessary to prevent sediment. Driven wells can be easily contaminated by surface sources because only shallow water is tapped. Hand-driven wells are about 30 feet deep, and machine-driven wells are about 50 feet deep.
- Dug wells are the kind of water wells that have been around for thousands of years. Once the water well was dug by hand, it was lined with bricks, stones, or tile to prevent collapse. Dug wells tend to be contaminated easily because they are fairly shallow – plus, they only have bricks and stones to act as casing. Dug wells also can dry up easily during a drought.
If you need a water well, make sure a licensed contractor will be hired for the installation.
What’s next?
Tomorrow I’ll explain when it’s important to test your well water and how you can prevent pollution to your water well.
Photo credit
Paul Brentnall/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.
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