Types of Wells

Driven - A driven well is a pipe with a special point that is driven into the ground to a source of water.  Driven wells are normally less than 25 feet deep, although they can be as deep as 100 feet.  Driven wells are limited to areas of sandy, rock-free soils that allow the pipe to be driven without significant interference.

Drilled - Drilled wells are the most common and are either shallow (25 feet or less) or deep (more than 25 feet). Well pumps typically cannot lift water higher than 34’, and because air may be introduced by leaks or design, and the altitude of the pumping site above sea level creates limits, shallow wells are limited to 25’. When wells are deeper than 25’, a venturi is a necessary part of the ejector and lift pipe. Some of the water from the pump is diverted through the venturi, which creates a low-pressure zone. The well water that enters the low-pressure zone and the velocity of the water coming through the venturi nozzle pushes it upward, where it is captured and lifted by suction to the pressure/storage tank. The presence of the venturi gives the pump the ability to lift water hundreds of feet.

If a jet pump (not a submersible pump) is present in the basement or crawl space, and it has one pipe, it is a shallow well. If there are two pipes, it has a venturi that will allow it to draw the water up from deeper wells. Submersible pumps are located in the well, near the bottom of the drilling.

Dug - Dug wells are open bodies of water, normally 2 to 3 feet in diameter.  Dug  wells are not allowed any more due to their vulnerability to pollution from surface sources.