Understanding the Limitations of Water Wells Before You Dig One

Posted on: 6 December 2018

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Water wells have long been a source of fresh water. The water taken from the aquifer in the ground will contain moderate amounts of sediment, soil, and minerals you may not expect. That is why it is a good idea to find an underground aquifer that contains as few minerals and chemicals as possible. There are also some other limitations regarding water wells that you should be aware of before you develop plants to dig wells and use the water in an industrial setting. 

Water Wells Are Finite Resources

Water wells are great for homeowners in rural areas because they will have water for several years. However, this water should always be expected to be finite (i.e., it will end eventually). Wells are sometimes fed by underground rivers, but if the water does not rise in those underground rivers, whatever water exists in the pocketed aquifer will dry up. Even homeowners know that they should have more than one location to dig a well so that they have another area of water to tap when the first well dries up years down the road. 

Taking this into consideration, you will need to face the fact that an industrial or manufacturing plant is going to use up all of that water much faster than just a residence would. Your plant is using it for its daily operations, restrooms, and more, and it uses hundreds of gallons more each day than a single homeowner does. A single water well for your plant should always be viewed as finite so that you can develop a backup plan or dig additional water wells.

In a Factory, You May Need to Purify the Water

Homeowners with wells have the option of purifying their well water. While it is recommended that they do, they do not have to. However, in a factory setting, you will definitely want and need to purify the water. The many impurities and added minerals or chemicals in well water can alter the chemicals you are creating in the plant. They can also alter the manufacturing processes and create flaws in products. It sometimes costs companies millions, even billions, of dollars more to purify well water than it does to have water shipped in from elsewhere. 

Your Well Pump Is Going to Need Some Serious Energy

A well pump for residences is a fairly simple piece of equipment. A well pump for an industrial or manufacturing plant, on the other hand, is more complex. You are talking about a pump that can quickly pull massive volumes of water out of the ground and move the water to an equally massive holding tank. This type of well pump requires an incredible amount of electrical energy, which could impact the expense of your plant's monthly electrical bill. You might be able to save a little money by investing in a solar-fueled well pump, but that is up to you.

Speak to businesses like Uni Tech Drilling Company Inc. for more information about drilling water wells.