Wells

Water in aquifers is brought to the surface by wells, which are holes drilled into an aquifer. Pumps provides the force necessary to push water up from the earth below. A screen filters out unwanted particles that can clog the pipe.

How deep are wells?

The depth of a well depends on how far the “saturated zone” is below the surface (or you may call this the “depth to the water table”). Wells can be a few feet or several hundred feet deep. Shallow wells that are less than 50 feet deep draw water that is close to the surface. In areas where the soil, sand and rock above the aquifer is permeable, pollutants can sink into the ground water. This is contamination, and can be dangerous. An aquifer can be contaminated by a well if it is improperly constructed, or if toxic materials enter the well.

Private Wells

Find out how to protect your source of drinking water.

• Private Drinking Water Well Information – EPA provides information to the private well owner
• Washington State Department of Health -Drinking Water Division – Everything you want to know about your drinking water from the state perspective, such as regulation, compliance, source water protection, contaminants, and publications.