Share:

Although some homes receive water via a connection to a city water service, it’s common for some homes to get their water via a private well located on the property. Wells draw their water from an aquifer, an underground water source. If you’ve ever wondered how your well works, here’s a breakdown of the key components and what they do to bring you clean, fresh water. 

3 Key Components of Wells

1. Casings

Once a well is dug (sometimes by a backhoe or shovel, but more commonly by driving a pipe into the ground or drilled using rotary or percussion drills), it needs a mechanism for transporting water. The casing is typically a PVC pipe, 4-6 inches in diameter, placed into the well hole to accomplish this. The casing not only provides a path for the water to travel from the aquifer to the surface, but it also helps keep the water free of sediment, soil, and rocks. The casing typically extends above the surface and is capped to prevent contaminants, insects and small animals from getting into the well.

2. Pumps 

wellsWater can’t travel from the aquifer to the casing on its own. Therefore, private wells are equipped with pumps to force the water from the source up to the pressure tank and on to the home. The size of a pump and motor is determined by the household, including the size of the home, typical water demand, how many plumbing fixtures the home has, and how much water is used. Shallow wells typically have a jet pump, which is located on the surface and uses suction to draw water up the casing. Deeper wells have submersible pumps, which are well below the surface and connected to a power source above the surface.

3. Pressure Tanks 

To ensure you have water every time you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet, your well also includes a pressure tank which stores water under pressure. When the tank reaches a certain pressure level, the pump turns off until the pressure goes down again; for example, when you turn on the shower, the pressure tank sends water through the pipes into the home, and the pump turns on to draw more water into the tank, maintaining the pressure. When you turn off the water, the pump will shut off once the pressure tank reaches the appropriate level. 

 

 

For more than 40 years, residents of Midland, NC, and the surrounding areas have turned to Oehler Pump & Well Service for help with all of their well drilling and repair needs. They handle everything from filling brand new wells to installing water purification systems, all to provide the cleanest drinking water possible. To learn more about their services, visit their website or call (704) 875-2209 to schedule an appointment.

tracking