Wells are a great addition to your property for both decoration and utility savings, but there are a few things to know before you “start digging.” Although the most common method people have used for millennia to dig wells is simply … digging them, easier said than done. Most of the time it has been a community effort in which all the healthy men in the village got together to dig.

In other words, it’s not exactly a one-man job if you know what I mean. Digging your well by hand is probably the safest and cheapest way, but the time and effort it takes to do so can make these benefits seem ridiculous. Other alternatives use drills, hammers, and various machines. But let’s say you have some long-term fun waiting for you and you want to give it a try. Its fine if you say so. In any case, now is not the time to be short on friends. Call all your friends and put a sword in their hands!

But before you start getting your hands dirty, you’ll need to know the more technical side of digging a well. The general concept is to dig down to the nearest groundwater or aquifer. But how do we know where and if there is groundwater? Good question. In theory, there is some kind of groundwater almost everywhere in the world – the catch is how deep it is! In your case, you better pray to God that it is not too deep.

There are 2 broad classifications of wells:

1. Shallow or unconfined. This is most likely the first aquifer you encounter while excavating. Although these water reserves can be reached and extracted without too much ado, there are several potential drawbacks. Due to its shallow depth and its “unconfined” nature, there is an increased risk of contamination and / or salinity. In addition, since it is the point of greatest saturation, it is a considerably more unstable source of water and can dry out during certain times of the year depending on the location.

2. Deep or confined. These aquifers are what you would ideally look for, although digging with a pick and shovel is unrealistic. They are located between 2 impermeable layers that must be crossed before being able to access it. Due to its depth and “confined” nature, there is a considerably lower risk of contamination, although it will still be “hard water” and may need to be softened before drinking.

Deciding whether to dig a confined or unconfined pit is great and all, but find out other details like the depth of the water table at your given location, recharge area, and rate, as well as your local seasonal patterns before the survey can be done. excavation. It will save you a lot of time and effort, as not all backyards are an ideal location for water wells. This is done through geophysical imaging, and you may need to call in the cavalry for this.

Fast forward to the next step. So you’ve determined that your land is suitable for a water well and you’re eager to get started. You should select a site for your well that is conveniently located and can be accessed from the places you choose, such as your kitchen or garden. Having a storm drain of some kind nearby would be great for getting rid of the debris. Once you have chosen a good location for your well, you can begin digging.

This step is relatively straightforward and consists simply of digging, digging, and more digging. The diameter can vary, but it will need to fit comfortably on at least one excavator. The obvious safety issue is that the sides collapse onto the workers as they excavate. This is a very real danger and serious steps must be taken to ensure safety. Traditionally, various forms of bracing were used, such as wooden planks nailed against the walls with wooden rods spanning the diameter.

Modern techniques incorporate reinforced concrete “rings” made slightly smaller than the diameter of the well. These rings will sink with gravity as the hole deepens and additional rings are added until the aquifer is reached. You will need men both to excavate and to extract the excavated material. Taking turns in the hole is recommended as this will help maintain optimal digging speed. Once the pit is dug, you can fill it with a wall style of your choice.

And there you have it. Building a roof over it is a good idea to prevent contaminated rainwater from getting in, and it should also have a good airtight lid to keep it in when not in use! You don’t want anything to fall into your well that shouldn’t be there. Having this cap installed over the opening that can be opened during water extraction will prevent a curious child from accidentally falling.

And if you dig deep enough, which is highly dubious with a pick and shovel, to hit a confined aquifer, you have to take your hydraulic head into account. An “artesian well” is a well whose “hydraulic head” is higher than the level of the upper part of the aquifer. In simple terms, it is the potential pressure of the water. This means that the pressure of the water will cause the water to flow naturally creating a kind of “fountain”. Hmm, good for tourism but possibly impractical for a home.