Having your own private water well gives you almost unlimited access to fresh drinking water. Familiarizing yourself with the different parts will help you articulate to your drilling contractor what’s going on if you encounter a problem. Below are some of the main components of a private water well system.

5 Key Parts of a Water Well

1. Casing

After the well drilling is completed, the casing is installed to keep the hole open, soil out, and the water at the right level. It’s made of steel or plastic, like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), depending on the soil composition. In areas where the ground is primarily hard rock, steel is used to prevent damage to the casing.

2. Drop Pipe & Distribution Line

The drop pipe is the water line that’s connected to your well’s pump and runs up the casing to the distribution line. The pump sends water upward through the drop pipe, and the distribution line sends that water into your home.

3. Cap

The well cap covers the top of the casing to keep bugs, dirt, rocks, and other debris out of your water supply. The cap is made from aluminum or thermoplastic and is usually vented to promote proper pressurization as water is being pumped. 

The cap should reach 8 inches above the ground, or higher than the local flood level to prevent overflowing streams and creeks from contaminating the water supply. If you’re experiencing issues with the well, the cap can be removed to inspect the pump and drop pipe for problems. 

4. Screen

The screen is placed at the bottom of the casing to keep out small sediment. In areas where there’s a lot of sand, a slotted pipe screen is used. These plastic or steel pipes have tiny machine-cut slits that filter out debris as water is pumped.

Other options include continuous slot screens, where wire or plastic is wrapped around rods. Perforated pipe screens are made of the same material as the casing and have holes that are uniformly drilled into it.

5. Pump

Perhaps the most important component of your well is the pump. It is attached to the drop pipe and sits above the screen. The pump draws water from the aquifer, through the screen, and sends it up the drop pipe to the distribution line.

If you need a water well installed or repaired, trust the professionals at Mauldin Drilling LLC in Williamsburg, NM. They have over 40 years of experience serving the Sierra County area. Their drilling contractors have efficient equipment, lasting parts, and competitive skills to perform new or replacement well drilling. They also offer repairs, maintenance, and irrigation systems. Learn more about their services online. Call (575) 894-3192 to schedule an estimate or consultation.