Welcome to our new Cascadian Drilling blog, where we’ll be discussing all sorts of topics related to the word of drilling and wells!
To start with, we’ll answer a question that people ask a lot: what’s the different between shallow and deep wells?
So what is the Difference Between Shallow & Deep Wells?
The depth of a well depends on the water table in your location. Below we outline the differences between the two types of wells – shallow and deep.
Shallow Wells
A shallow well is used when the water table is close to the surface. Shallow wells only go down to around 20 to 30 feet, and while that may sound like a deep well shaft, it is much less than deep wells that can go down to hundreds of feet.
Since a shallow well has a much higher water table than a deep well, they are easier to drill, which makes them much less expensive than deep wells. However, this also means that your water is at a higher risk of contamination from surface runoff, especially if you have livestock.
Shallow wells typically use non-submersible jet pumps that are housed in a pump housing to protect them from the elements.
Deep Wells
Deep wells on the other hand are much further underground, ranging from around 50 feet deep, down to 400 feet. They are labor-intensive to drill, requiring specialized equipment, drilling extensions, and much more time. This makes them more expensive than shallow wells.
The flip side though is that deep wells are much less susceptible to contamination since bacteria and metal must filter through the topsoil and many layers of dirt and rock to reach your water supply. Deep well pumps are submersible, with the pump installer placing them near the bottom of your well with controls on the surface, making them much less of an eyesore on the landscape.
But if you ever encounter problems with the pump, it needs to be pulled back up to the surface for inspection and repair or replacement.
Contact Cascadian Drilling for more information on shallow and deep wells.
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