Anatomy of a Well
Modern wells have various components that allow people to access clean underground water.
In the past, well layouts were simple and involved using a rope and a bucket to draw water. Today, wells have more complex designs with different components. When planning to drill a well, it's necessary to understand all the parts that make it work efficiently.
Here are the key components of a modern well:
Wellhead
The wellhead is the top part of the well that's visible and above ground. It usually measures 12 inches from the ground to the top of the wellhead. It consists of durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a cap at the top to prevent debris, insects, and small animals from entering the well.
Well casing
The well casing is a tube in the ground. It houses the pump and encloses the well to prevent it from collapsing. Typically, it's positioned during drilling to protect the water supply from contaminants. The material for well casing ranges from carbon steel to PVC. However, the well's length and location influence the choice of the casing material.
Well screen
Screens are part of the casing at the bottom of the well. Their role is to prevent sand and gravel from settling. Well screens are mostly made from stainless steel or PVC. In addition, they come in various designs that suit different well layouts. This ensures a steady flow of water into the well.
Pump and distribution lines
Without a pump, it will be impossible for people to access the underground water. Typically, well pumps fall into two categories: submersible and jet pumps. The submersible models operate beneath the ground and are suitable for deep wells. In contrast, jet pumps are more fitting for shallow wells and are set above the ground.
From the pump, the water flows through high-density black plastic pipes or steel pipes into a storage tank. From here, it gets distributed to specific areas of the property.
Pitless adapters
Pitless adapters are plumbing devices that go through the well casing and attach to the pump. Their job is to provide a frost-proof seal that helps to direct water from the pump to the distribution lines. Pitless adapters are set 6 to 10 feet below the ground to protect them from freezing.
Gravel pack
Technically, the gravel pack offers additional filtration. Usually, it consists of well-graded sand and gravel and sits between the well casing and the screen.
Bentonite grout
Bentonite is an impermeable material that seals the void between the drilled area and the well casing. It prevents surface runoff from directly mixing with the underground water. This maintains the water quality in the aquifer by preventing contamination with dirt and debris.
Maintain water wells
Modern wells have various components that allow people to access clean underground water. However, this complex system requires regular inspections by a professional to keep it working optimally.
Pump Repair Services provides residential and commercial pump repair services for water well pumps, water feature pumps, transfer pumps, industrial irrigation pumps, and more, as well as custom water filtration services in the Orlando area. (Sorry, no pool pumps or sewer pumps.) We offer 24-hour emergency service. Call us at (407) 625-5499.
