Well or well - which is better? Detailed comparison review

Issue price

The cost of the well is the lowest. One reinforced concrete ring is estimated at about 1.5 thousand rubles, excluding delivery. Usually they need about 10 pieces. You also need to add the price of waterproofing. If it is planned not to manually raise the water, then the price of the pump is added, which is about 10 thousand rubles.

A ready-made kit for an Abessinian well without water-lifting equipment will cost 5-10 thousand rubles, depending on the depth.You can prepare all the elements yourself, which will slightly reduce the cost. A turnkey well-needle is estimated at about 25-30 thousand rubles.

The main costs for installing a sand well are:

• drilling, which is determined by the type of soil and is estimated at about 1.5 thousand rubles per linear meter;
• submersible pump, which can cost 10,000 rubles or more.

Turnkey filter well costs about 200 thousand rubles

For drilling each running meter of an artesian well, you will have to pay an average of 2.5 thousand rubles, and you will have to go deeper by 100 meters or more.

Obtaining permits and licensing is expensive, which can amount to 300 thousand rubles.

Thus, the final price of an artesian can exceed 500 thousand rubles.

Wells - expensive, but high quality and convenient

Compared to a well, a well is more technologically advanced and has several advantages:

• greater productivity;
• closeness of the source from external influences;
• smaller footprint.

Otherwise, the characteristics of the well depend on its type.

Abyssinian well

"Abyssinka" is actually not a well, but a well-needle. Her last name is associated with the form. The well has an inch shaft, which narrows downward, where it eventually passes into a filter and a pointed tip.

Water lifting equipment is installed at the top. It can be an electric or manual pump.

The arrangement of such a source can be done with your own hands. The process is the clogging of the mine with its gradual build-up until reaching the aquifer.The depth of such a source does not exceed 12 m, which is associated with the capabilities of a surface pump.

The Abyssinian well has several advantages:

• simplicity and low price of installation;
• the possibility of arranging inside the house in the basement, as well as transferring to another place in case of silting;
• good performance, allowing you to provide a small house with water;
• the ability to work without electricity in the presence of a hand pump.

The negative characteristics of the well-needle include:

• the impossibility of driving in rocky soils;
• depth limitation (water mirror should not be lower than 8 m).

filter well

If the aquifer is located at a depth of 10 to 50 m in the sandy layer, then a filter, or sandy, well is equipped. It consists of several elements:

• casing pipe, which simultaneously plays the role of water supply;
• bottom filter;
• submersible pump;
• head.

Such a source can be arranged independently, but it is better to trust professionals. This is especially true for pump installation.

The source performance is suitable for a small house. But the sand well has several negative qualities:

• decrease in debit in the case of using the same aquifer with a neighbor;
• the need for annual filter cleaning and year-round operation;
• service life does not exceed 15 years.

Artesian well

"Artezianka" is the most debit well. The water in it is maximally protected from the negative effects of the external environment. But this does not mean that the quality of the liquid meets the standards.Often, water treatment is necessary in the form of softening, iron removal and demanganization, which requires additional costs and allocation of space for the installation of filters.

Another disadvantage is the need to obtain permits for drilling, which, by the way, cannot be done on our own, since you have to go deep.

Therefore, this source is also the most expensive. In addition, the well, namely the pumping equipment, needs annual maintenance.

Sometimes an artesian well is the best option. For example, for large houses. You can connect a whole group of houses, while significantly reducing the cost of drilling and development. In addition, this source will last a long time.

Pros and cons of wells

The popularity of arranging and using wells in suburban areas is explained by a number of advantages that these functional structures have:

Minimum setup costs.

Due to the low cost of digging without the use of heavy drilling equipment, most of the villagers, summer residents and gardeners can afford to install wells. The price of a pump for a well is also an order of magnitude lower than the relative cost of pumping equipment for a well.

The well, as one of the most ancient ways of extracting water from the bowels of the earth, is still a popular and sought-after water supply option.

This is especially true for areas where power outages are not so rare.

The well is a universal design, since it is possible to get water to the surface both with the help of an electric pump and in the traditional manual way.

Long service life.

A well-equipped well will regularly serve as a source for more than half a century, giving fresh and tasty water that does not taste like “rust” and chlorine.

The disadvantages of this water supply system include primarily:

Risk of water pollution.

The unfavorable ecological situation in cities and nearby territories also affects the quality of water.

The aquifer, which acts as a source of filling the well, is from 5 to 30 meters. At this depth, groundwater is located, which, after rain or flood, does not always have high quality characteristics.

The need for regular use and care.

In the case when the well is used irregularly, after 3-4 years the water in it silts up. In addition, it is advisable to clean and rinse the walls of the well twice a year. As necessary, treat with disinfectants and change the bottom filter.

Small water intake.

Due to the fact that the well is filled with surface water, the volume of water supply is limited to an average of 150-250 liters per hour. If such an amount of water may be enough to serve a small cottage, then there will be clearly not enough water for watering green spaces in the garden and garden, arranging the pool, as well as many other household needs of larger plots of this volume.

Well on the sand

Typically, the depth of a filter well does not exceed 30 m. If you are looking for which wells will be cheaper to drill, then a filter water intake is exactly what you are looking for. However, the service life of such a hydraulic structure is short - no more than 15 years. At the same time, the service life is directly related to the correct execution of the well.

The advantages of a sand well include the following points:

• the choice in favor of this facility should be made if the speed of work is important to you (a filter well can be drilled in a day);
• to complete the construction, it will be necessary to involve only small-sized equipment;
• a sand well produces water with a minimum iron content.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth mentioning the following points:

• in winter, the water intake debit may decrease;
• if several wells are made nearby for sand, then the water level in the horizon can drop significantly;
• if the well is not used for a long time, siltation of the structure may begin. As you can see, all wells and wells that are used irregularly are subject to silting.

What structure can be built?

For individual water supply, several options are possible:

• well;
• Abyssinian well;
• filter well;
• artesian well.

Well - a cheap option for arranging water supply

A well is the simplest design for water supply. The depth of such a structure varies from 5 to 15 meters, depending on the depth of the aquifer. Building a well is considered the cheapest option for arranging water supply. However, the quality of the water in it depends on climatic conditions and proper construction.

Advantages:

• relative cheapness of construction;
• water supply is uninterrupted;
• accessibility and ease of use;
• there are no problems with the extraction of an accidentally dropped object;
• With timely cleaning and proper operation, it can last up to 50 years.

Flaws:

• the possibility of contamination with top water;
• small amount of water supplied;
• the ingress of foreign objects into the water, which can lead to its infection with bacteria and microbes;
• the need for constant water withdrawal to avoid silting;
• regular cleaning and disinfection is required.

Unlike a well, electricity is not required to get water from a well.

Abyssinian well or well needle

In fact, this is a well with a depth of 4 to 12 meters. From such a structure, the same water is obtained as from a conventional well. The difference is in the method of construction, in which a pipe with a sharp end is manually hammered into the ground to the required depth.

The water from the Abyssinian well is cleaner due to the fact that there is no access to foreign objects and perched water in the structure. However, the device of such a structure is not possible everywhere. In addition, you will have to buy a self-priming pump.

Advantages:

• construction will not take much time;
• it is possible to equip a well in the basement or other room;
• the tightness of the structure prevents foreign objects from entering the water;
• with rare exceptions, water from the Abyssinian well can be consumed without purification;
• sufficiently high performance;
• in favorable conditions, the service life is up to 30 years;
• it is possible to restore the well after its failure due to clogging of the filter.

Flaws:

• due to the geological features of the area, the device of the Abyssinian well is not possible everywhere, but only on soft and loose soils;
• the water layer must be at least 8 meters, since the self-priming pump used to extract water is not able to lift it from a greater depth;
• the impossibility of connecting several water points without reducing the pressure;
• the need for constant use of the well due to the threat of silting.

An Abyssinian well equipped in a basement or other room does not need to be insulated for the winter

Filter well (for sand)

Its depth does not exceed 30 meters. Drilling such a well will cost less than an artesian well, but it will last a maximum of 15 years. This is provided that the work will be carried out by professionals.

Advantages:

• drilling is done in one day;
• for the arrangement of the well, small-sized equipment is used;
• iron content in water is minimal.

Flaws:

• winter decrease in water loss is possible;
• the arrangement of several similar wells in the neighborhood can lead to a decrease in the aquifer;
• regular use is necessary to prevent silting.

Artesian well - expensive, but reliable

Its depth is more than 30 meters. Drilling an artesian well is expensive. In addition, the pressure under which the water is not always sufficient, so the use of a pump will entail additional waste.

Nevertheless, the quality of water and the durability of such a structure are an indisputable advantage. To reduce costs, you can drill a well for several houses.

Advantages:

• high productivity due to the high water loss of limestone;
• uninterrupted water supply regardless of the season;
• the ability to connect several water points without reducing the pressure, which allows you to use one well for several owners;
• surface water pollution is excluded;
• regularity of use is not important;
• the life of an artesian well is about half a century.

Flaws:

• high cost of building a structure;
• high mineralization of water is possible, especially saturation with iron;
• the need for permits for drilling a well.

Well installation

Previously, such systems were installed quite simply. A piece of water pipe of the appropriate diameter was taken. One of the ends was sharpened and additional holes were made on the same side. Further, the sharp edge was driven into soft soil and continued to be hammered until the construction abutted against the aquifer underground layer. The rise of water to the surface was carried out due to the operation of hand pumps. This design is simple and practical to use, but not very effective.

At the moment, the well has a more advanced design, which gives it great advantages in comparison with other systems:

• simple and quick arrangement of water supply at home;
• a set of necessary materials will allow you to independently provide water supply within a few hours;
• the needle system allows installation in a small space and even indoors;
• the volumes of water supplied are large enough (per minute they can reach 50 liters), if a kit with a powerful pump and a filter is installed;
• the water supplied through the pipe system is of high quality, despite the fact that the needle does not penetrate very deep into the ground;
• the service life is significantly increased due to the use of modern materials: plastic pipes, durable pumps. In cases where a high-quality filter is installed, the well can last up to 50 years.

Water filtration

In this type of water intake, the filtration system is considered to be a weak point. With poor-quality water purification, a significant amount of impurities gets into it, making it unsuitable for use.Poor filtration can lead to sludge at the source. In addition, if the filter system loses capacity due to silt, rust or lime deposits, then the system will have to be cleaned, and this is not an easy process.

There are several ways to clean the pipe filter:

• purging the system from the compressor. Pressurized air pushes all accumulated debris out of the pipe, but this method will not help with lime deposits or rusty growths;
• pipe cleaning with water. If you direct a stream of water under pressure into the well pipe, then the pressure will wash the contaminants back into the ground. This is a temporary measure and not always effective, since the collected dirt rarely goes further along the aquifer, as a rule, it remains in place and clogs the filter again after a while;

• chemical processing. This is an extremely dangerous cleaning method. The acid will wash away all impurities, remove rust and lime deposits, but it will not be possible to use water from this source for a couple of months, in addition, you need to warn the neighbors, as their water sources can also become clogged through groundwater and cause damage to health or the economy;
• professional cleaning. To clean the filter, it would be best to call a specialized team that will do the work on their own, preventing all negative consequences. You can find such specialists in the same companies that carry out drilling work.

A good and simple way to prevent this problem is to perforate the pipes. For water supply, the use of plastic pipes pre-wrapped with mesh or wire is suitable. A modern well kit uses a filter with a sharp end, this design is called a needle.A pump is provided for the other end. The length of the pipes of the system does not exceed 10 meters, but in rare cases, with soft porous soil, it can reach 30 meters.

Well

Abyssinian well

1. Well needle or "Abyssinian well"

A pipe with a sharp end is hammered into the ground by hand to a depth of four to twelve meters into the groundwater layer. A self-priming pump is installed for water supply.

pros

• From a well, the needle will be cleaner than from a well of equal depth, since perched water and debris do not get into it.
• Usually, the water from the "Abyssinian well" can be used for drinking without treatment, which reduces costs.
• Construction is proceeding quickly.
• Such a well can be punched in the basement of a house or barn. This will make it convenient to use it for domestic needs, eliminate the need to insulate it for the winter.
• The needle well provides a greater flow of water than a well.
• If the well fails due to clogging of the filter, the well can be restored.

• The service life is up to three decades.

  The well can be equipped even in the house

Minuses

• It is possible to pierce a well with a needle only in soft and loose soil. The peculiarities of the local soil may make its construction impossible.
• Additional costs are required for the purchase and operation of the pump.
• The groundwater layer must be located at least eight meters. A self-priming pump will not be able to lift water from a greater depth.
• The needle well, as well as the well, must be constantly used to avoid silting.
• Without reducing the pressure, several water intake points cannot be connected.

Filter well for water

2.filter well

It is drilled in sandy soil to a depth of thirty meters. Works are carried out by professionals on special equipment.

pros

• Drilling a filter well is cheaper than an artesian well.
• Drilling is carried out within one day. For its construction, small-sized equipment is used.
• The water from such a well has a low iron content.

Minuses

• During the cold season, water inflow may decrease.
• The construction of several filter wells in the neighborhood can lead to a decrease in the level of groundwater.
• To avoid silting, the well must be constantly used.
• The service life of such a structure, even if it is built by specialists and properly operated, is no more than fifteen years.

Artesian well - the most reliable source of water

pros

• The high quality of water that comes from the artesian water layer and does not depend on local circumstances. Surface contamination is excluded.
• Water can come from the aquifer under the pressure of higher layers. In this case, it will be possible to do without a pump.
• Uninterrupted water supply at any time of the year.
• High performance.
• Several water intake points can be connected to one well. At the same time, the water pressure does not decrease, it flows to each of those connected in the same amount as with a single user. Therefore, it is realistic to build one well for several owners, which will reduce the costs of each of them.
• It is not necessary to use an artesian well regularly. Silting does not threaten her.
• The service life is approximately 50 years.

Minuses

• Clean water is worth any cost and effort

  The highest construction cost in comparison with other options.

• Artesian water can be highly mineralized, with a high iron content.
• It is necessary to clarify its composition, and decide whether it is acceptable in your particular case. A high percentage of iron can damage appliances, so the water may need to be further purified.
• To drill a well, you need to obtain permits. Using artesian water without an official permit may result in a fine.
• With a low pressure, additional costs for the purchase of a pump and the connection of electricity are possible, which is not possible everywhere.
• With a large pressure, an artesian well can gush.

Which well is best?

It is also worth looking at the option of installing a well in a private house, especially when it comes to permanent residence. This option will provide the owners of the house with a high-quality and clean source. There are several types of wells and each of them has its own characteristics.

Well-needle or Abyssinian well - the depth reaches from 4 to 12 meters. Water is practically no different from a well. There are no insects or foreign objects in the well. It can be scored in just 1 day. To do this, a sharp pipe is driven into the ground, which will not be able to miss the top water. For the construction, you will need a suction pump for water intake. The well is often equipped in basements. In such a place, the source will be under constant pressure. It does not need additional cleaning. Not all types of soil are suitable for successful drilling. Constant use is necessary, otherwise silting will occur.

The depth of the filter well for sand reaches 30 meters. Work is carried out on sandy soil. Its service life is limited to 15 years.In fact, very often its service life is only 5-7 years. In order for it to work as long as possible, all work must be performed by professionals. The disadvantages also include a small supply of water - 500 liters and rapid silting. A sandy narrow well can have a diameter of only 3.6-5 cm or more. Among the advantages are low cost of work, low iron content, fast drilling process, use of small-sized equipment.

The most expensive way is an artesian well. To drill such a well, you will need to purchase a deep pump. High material costs are compensated by high quality water and durability with a large supply of water. It is quite enough for 2-3 cottages, so you can share the costs with your neighbors and use one artesian well in a private house. The pros and cons will help you decide.

The benefits include:

• the highest water quality and high productivity;
• the volume and quality of water will depend on the sources of pollution located nearby and the time of year;
• the service life is 50 years and is not affected by regular use;
• rapid replenishment of water resources.

To drill an artesian well, a special permit is required and this fact cannot be neglected. Also among the disadvantages:

• high mineralization;
• expensive construction;
• very often in such sources there is a lot of iron.

Well or well: pros and cons

Wells are a very popular option for water intake in a summer cottage. This is due to several important benefits:

• minimum cash costs;
• universality;
• long service life.

However, there are also disadvantages with such a universal method of extracting water.The disadvantages include:

• risk of water pollution;
• regular cleaning and use of the well is necessary;
• small water supply.

Only a small house can provide such a source. For watering green spaces, gardens, household needs and other benefits of civilization, the water in the well will not be enough. The volume of water per hour averages 150-250 liters.

Spring water has always been valued for its unique composition and purity. This is due to the fact that it does not mix with the upper waters, since the fence comes from the depths of the earth. Having a well on its site, it will be possible to use clean and high-quality water. In addition to this, there are other advantages:

• hygiene;
• large volumes of stocks;
• durability;
• ease of operation.

In addition to the undeniable advantages, this method of extracting water has its drawbacks. These include:

• the smell of water;
• high price;
• if the pump fails, it is impossible to get water.

What is the difference between a well and a well?

According to experts, it is better to build a well when there are no aquifers in the country house or it is impossible to drill a well due to difficult terrain. Cases should be taken into account when clean water in some areas was at a depth of 100-150 meters. With such a water occurrence, it is easier to build a well.

A well from a well basically differs in diameter. Wells are narrower than wells. The well bottom and walls of the well are always available for cleaning. You can fill it with water at any time. The well needs electricity to operate. You will also need a reliable pump capable of supplying water to the surface.

All options have distinctive characteristics that are worth paying attention to.For a country house in which it is planned to live permanently, it is better to choose a well

At their summer cottage, any type of well is quite suitable, since it will not be used constantly.

Advantages of the well

There is no doubt that many people value spring water for its purity. In addition, such water has been considered the most useful among the people since ancient times. In this regard, the owners of city apartments can only envy the owners of private households, who have every opportunity to build a well for water production on their site. It has the following significant benefits:

• High quality water. In a well, water often has direct contact with pollutants from the atmosphere, as well as those brought by surface water. Due to the fact that the well neck area is much smaller, it is possible to avoid the ingress of leaves, branches and living creatures (insects, amphibians, rodents), which, as a result of decay and decomposition, poison the water with toxic substances.
• Life time. Professionally and qualitatively performed works on drilling and arrangement of the well guarantee its uninterrupted operation, subject to maintenance periods of at least 50 years.
• It is widely believed that there is more water in the well. The misjudgment is based on the fact that the diameter of the well is significantly larger than the diameter of the well, but in reality everything is quite different. If we compare a well dug in clay soils with a well drilled in sands, then the latter has a significant advantage in terms of the amount of water delivered, the supply of which in such soils is practically inexhaustible.If, when digging a well, diggers reach a sandy layer, then due to the buoyancy of the soil, they simply will not be able to go deep into it.
• There is no need for regular cleaning, and with the right filter design, you can completely forget about this problem, since the water will always be clean.
• The cost of operating a well is much less than operating a well. Cleaning takes much less time and money, as the work is less labor intensive. The well requires more careful maintenance - disinfection should be carried out at least 1-2 times a year, it is regularly required to clean and flush the walls, monitor the chemical composition of the water, and in some cases replace the bottom filter and even deepen.
• The purity of the water in the well is ensured by isolation from the upper melt water and effective natural filtration.
• The well has the best properties in terms of replenishment of water resources. If the well, using a powerful pump, can be quickly drained and wait several hours for filling with water, then the well is characterized by stability and constancy, naturally, an artesian well is meant.

Obviously, with the advantages, wells also have some disadvantages - if the pump fails, it is impossible to manually extract water, and with some serious blockages, it is impossible to clean the well, the only way out of this situation is to drill a new well. And, of course, the price - an artesian well will cost several times more than a well.

A casing metal pipe, without which it is impossible to arrange a well, can give the water a metallic taste.

It is also worth considering the moment that when arranging a well on sand, the amount of water for water supply to the house may not be enough; in this case, reserve tanks should be provided. When drawing up an estimate, in addition to the costs of drilling and the purchase of casing pipes, one must not forget about the costs of installing a filter and purchasing a submersible pump of the appropriate power.

Water quality

The result of technogenic pollution was the ingress of untreated groundwater into sources at relatively shallow depths. A feature of deeper aquifers is the additional protection of water by clay layers. True, even in this case, the water content may contain impurities of iron and salt.

Wells, as water intake structures, are designed to collect water from the upper aquifer. And the wells are designed to draw water from the underlying horizons, which ensures better quality and more water. The purity of water depends on the aquifer in which a well is dug or a well is drilled. In terms of water quality, it is difficult to say which is better than a well or a well, because there is no absolutely clean water either in wells or in wells.

Thus, comparing the quality of water in a well or well, the following can be noted:

1. Recently, the quality of water has significantly decreased in wells, which is due to an increase in the amount of industrial and domestic waste;

2. In wells, water quality is better due to greater depth, but iron, manganese and hydrogen sulfide may be present in it.

Types of wells and their features

If, when choosing a method of extracting water, you asked yourself the question: “A well or a well - which is better for a home?”, Perhaps you should take a closer look at the second option, as it will provide better and cleaner water. If you can still save money in the country with the help of a well, then it’s not worth it for a permanent place of residence.

Let us consider in more detail the types of wells and their features.

Abyssinian well or well-needle

Its depth reaches from 4 to 12 meters, and the water is about the same as in a conventional well, maybe a little better due to the absence of various objects and insects in it. However, the biggest difference is in the construction method. To do this, it is necessary to drive a sharp pipe into the ground, which will not let the top water through and will prevent the ingress of foreign objects. A suction pump is required to draw water.

This method is good because the construction takes only one day, the well can be equipped in the basement, the water will be under constant pressure and in certain cases it can be consumed without additional purification.

However, in contrast, you can indicate the need to constantly use the well, as it can become silted. Also, not all soil is suitable for successful work, and the use of several water intake points will only lead to a drop in pressure.

Filter well for sand

Scheme of a well on sand

The depth of such a well reaches 30 meters and is carried out on sandy soil. When choosing which is better an Abyssinian well or a sand well, you need to know that the life of such a well is limited to a maximum of 15 years, but in practice it usually averages 5-7 years

And here it is very important that all work is carried out by professionals.

The disadvantages of this method are a limited supply of water (about 500 liters) and a short service life. Also, such a well must be used regularly, otherwise siltation will occur.

But in comparison with an artesian well, one can write down the advantages of lower cost, low iron content, short drilling time and the use of small-sized equipment.

Artesian well

When choosing which is better a well or a well for a cottage, it should be noted that an artesian well is the most expensive way, which will also require additional costs for the purchase of a deep pump. However, this is fully compensated by the high quality of water, durability, and there will be enough water to share with neighbors, so that you can share the costs.

This well is in a private house with the following pros and cons.

Advantages:

• High performance and highest water quality;
• Quality and volume do not depend on the season and nearby sources of pollution;
• Regular use is not required, and its service life is from 50 years;
• The water resources of the well are quickly replenished;

Flaws:

• High mineralization;
• Water can often be high in iron;
• Expensive construction.

What is an Abyssinian well (needle well)

The first thing that characterizes this type of construction is a shallow depth, ranging from 4 to 12 meters. Water of the same quality as in a conventional well.

The construction process differs in that a pipe with a sharp tip is driven into the ground to the desired depth. Despite the shallow depth, the water is in excellent condition, as it is protected from debris and other contaminants.

The disadvantage is that installation is not possible everywhere. In addition, for full functioning, it is required to install a special pump. It sucks up water on its own.

The design has both its advantages and disadvantages. We will analyze the Abyssinian well and you will be able to determine whether it is suitable or not.

The first thing that characterizes this type of well is the efficiency in installation. You can make an Abyssinian well with your own hands, which will significantly reduce its cost. A basement or other room may be suitable for drilling. It is protected from the ingress of debris and pollution, since the design is completely sealed. In some cases, the water is even drinkable without prior purification. If properly used, it can last for decades. Can give as much water as needed.

But there are also negative points. It is possible to install this type of structure for water intake only where there are appropriate geological characteristics. The soil must be soft and loose. The water layer must be at least 8 meters, this is necessary so that the pump can cope with its functions, since it sucks in water itself. Such a pump will not be able to take water from great depths. If you do not reduce the pressure, then there is no way to connect several water points at once. It is necessary to constantly use this well, otherwise it will silt up, and over time its productivity will drop significantly.

Abyssinian well manufacturing scheme