What are the two most common types of shallow wells?

Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Shallow wells are most often built by digging or driving. A dug well is created by excavating a wide cavity down to the water table and lining it to keep the sides stable. It’s quick and inexpensive in areas with a high water table, but it’s more exposed to surface contamination because the opening is near the surface. A driven well uses a small-diameter pipe with a point or perforated section that is driven into sandy or loose soils to tap the shallow aquifer. This method is also fast and relatively low-cost in suitable soils. These two methods are typical for accessing water close to the surface, which is why they’re the most common for shallow wells.

Drilled or bored wells reach deeper groundwater and require more equipment and installation time. Artesian refers to water pressure conditions in the aquifer, not how the well is constructed, and a well having a screen is a feature that can be part of various well types, not a separate construction category.