Working Wells and Septic Systems

What is a Well?

A well is a hole in the ground drilled to access groundwater stored in aquifers. Aquifers are underground layers of porous rock. A pipe and a pump are installed into the drilled hole to pull groundwater out of the aquifers and into homes. There are three basic types of wells; shallow/bored, consolidated/rock, and unconsolidated/sand. Shallow or bored wells are usually bored into an unconfined water source and are about a maximum of 100 feet deep.

Consolidated wells are drilled into a formation consisting only of natural rock and have an average depth of 250 feet. Unconsolidated wells are drilled into formations consisting of sand, soil, and other materials that will collapse upon themselves.

Figure 1.

A simplified diagram of what a residential well could look like.

Image from: https://www.water-right.com/homeowner-resources/how-does-a-well-work/

How do Wells Work?

When wells are drilled, pipe casing is installed into the hole. Pipe casing can be made of a variety of materials including PVC pipe, and steel. A concrete or clay sealant will surround the casing to protect from outside contaminants. There is a pump installed at the bottom of the well that allows water to travel through the casing and into the home.

Well Water

The water in wells is untreated groundwater stored in aquifers. This water is rainwater that has moved through the air and soil before reaching these aquifers and then eventually your home. Due to these processes, the water entering your home often will have more to it than water. Well water is more likely to contain minerals, classifying it as hard water. These minerals can cause build up in pipes which can result in expensive repairs. There are also other contaminants that can make their way into well water. These include things such as iron and nitrates. If the casing is faulty or damaged, things like dirt and bacteria can enter the well. These contaminants are why it is important to hire a professional to test your well water at least yearly.

Common Issues with Wells

Reduced yield, sediment or dissolved gases in the water, and changes in quality are all common issues with well water. These can be caused by initial construction issues and failures or a variety of other factors. Biofilm buildup, corrosion, and over-pumping are a few potential causes. Some of these problems can be fixed by the well owner themselves, others require the help of a contractor. In specific cases where there is bad well construction, the well may need to be plugged and a new one drilled. To learn more about what to look out for and how to fix your well issues, sign up for a working well workshop on the Government of Alberta website (https://www.alberta.ca/working-well-overview).

Septic Systems

Septic systems treat wastewater on site on rural properties. They have multiple components that help to ensure the safe and proper treatment and disposal of waste. All wastewater will enter your septic tank from your home. In conventional septic systems, liquids will pass through a filter and into the drain field. The wastewater will seep through perforated pipes into gravel. Naturally occurring bacteria will break down any contaminates as the wastewater percolates through the soil layers. 

Figure 2

Diagram of a common septic system.

Image from: https://www.premiertechaqua.com/en-ca/wastewater/what-is-septic-system

Different septic systems would be recommended depending on the layout of your property. Each system will have a different price for installation. There are also several types of materials that can be used for the septic tank. Each material will have pros and cons as well as different prices.         

Septic System Maintenance

Septic systems can last between 15-40 years. Proper maintenance is important to extend the lifetime. Be careful not to dump materials down the drain that are not decomposable. Dumping chemicals down the drain can also have negative effects on the bacteria within the septic tanks. The septic system should also be pumped by a professional regularly. To find out more about septic systems and how to properly care for yours, you can look for a Septic Sense workshop on the WCOWMA website or keep an eye out for future Parkland County events.  

Sources

https://www.water-right.com/homeowner-resources/how-does-a-well-work/

https://groundwater.org/wells/

https://www.peaksewer.ca/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-septic-systems-in-alberta/

https://aowma.com/septic-sense-for-homeowners/

https://www.premiertechaqua.com/en-ca/wastewater/what-is-septic-system

https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/%24department/deptdocs.nsf/ba3468a2a8681f69872569d60073fde1/b235a3f65b62081b87256a5a005f5446/%24FILE/WaterWells_module7.pdf