The National Ground Water Association estimates that 44% of the U.S. population is currently dependent on well water. If your home relies on a well for water it is important that you understand the source of that water and what to do if your well is running dry.
Water wells are drilled into the ground through various layers of dirt, rock and clay. The hole must be drilled deep enough to reach a producing aquifer. What is an aquifer? Good Question! According to the USGS an aquifer is a geologic formation that is water bearing and stores and/or transmits water to wells and springs. Use of the term is usually restricted to those water-bearing, formations capable of yielding water in sufficient quantity to constitute a usable supply.
A borehole for one well may drill through several different aquifers. The water in an aquifer is recharged or refilled by rain or melting snowpack, flowing down through the earth toward rivers and creeks. Porous rocks allow for quicker recharge rates and higher pumping capacity. Rain water can take months or years to seep into the useable aquifer level. The dry, compacted surface caused by drought further complicates the replenishment rate by causing more water runoff instead of absorption. In areas which are experiencing drought conditions, aquifers are not being replenished at a sufficient rate to support their continued use.
If the aquifer is strained or depleted it could cause your well water levels to drop below the position that your pump was installed which can result in damage to the pump. For example, if the well was drilled to 200 feet and the pump was installed at 180 feet, but the water levels are dropping below the location of the pump at 180 feet. If you are not monitoring your water levels, then by simply taking a shower you could unwittingly burn up your pump resulting in an expensive phone call to a well maintenance professional.
Prices for professional water well component repairs will vary depending on your location and the extent of damage. Replacing the submersible pump could cost anywhere from $500 to $5000 depending on the size of the pump and the complexity of your system. If your aquifer is not recharging and your well needs to be drilled deeper this could cost $15-$50 per foot. If you are in a drought stricken location, you could be placed on a waiting list for service. Either way, it is an expensive venture could have possibly been prevented by watching your well levels!
Be a responsible well owner by monitoring your well water levels and usage all year long. Know what a normal water level is in each season because the levels change. This will allow you to understand the well's behavior and use your water appropriately. It is up to you to protect your water!
Fun Water Facts
Interested to know which aquifer you are on on? Find yourself on this map offered by the USGS.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that 69% of the planet's freshwater is contained in glaciers and ice caps.
For a more detailed account of the hydraulic cycle click here.
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