Groundwater vs. Surface Water

12/21/2016

A common misconception of potential well owners is the difference between surface water and groundwater, and how one can affect the other. Here is a short lesson to better educate you on where your water comes from.

Surface water is found in lakes, ponds, and streams or in wells dug just below the ground. Groundwater is found under the Earth’s surface, drilled hundreds of feet below the soil. Groundwater is commonly used for drinking, washing, and cooking, whereas surface water is generally used for agriculture and generating electricity. Groundwater, however, maintains a constant temperature year round- great for using geothermal energy to heat and cool your home.

It can also be determined that surface water is more susceptible to evaporation, leaving lakes and ponds looking low during an extremely dry season. Groundwater, on the other hand, is not directly affected. As a matter of fact, some surface water actually seeps into the ground and “recharges” the water aquifer under the bedrock and water table, where your well water comes from. Groundwater is also free of pathogens like Malaria and Salmonella, unlike some surface water sources.

A drilled well has many advantages when providing water to your home or business. Before being dispensed from a faucet, your well water is pumped through a filtration system and disinfected. However, it is not treated with harsh chemicals used in public water systems; just all natural water.

11 Comments

Khorae Olivier link

6/28/2018 01:21:05 pm

My husband and I are buying a more rural property and considering drilling a well for groundwater out there. I like what you said about groundwater being used for drinking, washing, and cooking. I was thinking we would support the home from the well and the rest of the property from surface water from a river on the back edge of the property. Thanks for the information!

Kit Hannigan link

9/26/2018 02:34:35 am

It sure is nice that you mentioned how well water will not be treated with harsh chemicals that are used in public water systems. My wife and I are looking to adapt to a more natural lifestyle starting with our diet. This informative piece about water well will definitely get her excited to have our own in our yard. It certainly looks like we'll have to start reaching out to water well contractors soon.

Amy Winters link

1/14/2019 01:40:52 pm

Thanks for pointing out that water from a well will be filtered and disinfected, but will also be free from harsh chemicals found in public water systems. My husband and I are considering having a water well drilled, so I've been doing some research on their benefits. I like the idea of having clean, chemical-free water; I think we'll look into having a well drilled as our new water source!

Dave Anderson link

4/18/2019 03:59:41 pm

That is interesting that surface water could be found in wells dug just below the ground. Maybe it would be good to have a well drilled in my backyard to bring up some surface water. That is something that I would want to have to get some different tasting water.

Bree Ward link

5/15/2019 12:30:26 am

It's true that groundwater is used for drinking, cooking, and washing while surface water is to be used for agriculture, electricity, and etc. I think your article is indeed great in educating your readers especially those who are currently planning to build a water well. At least they will knwo where the water is coming from.

Eli Richardson link

8/26/2019 02:23:17 pm

The best part is when you said that well water is not treated with harsh chemicals. My uncle moved out of the city to work on his ranch. He could really benefit from water well. that way his plants won't be harmed by the chemicals from the public water system.

Oscar Morrison link

1/6/2020 01:22:51 pm

It's helpful to know that deep wells for groundwater aren't affected by some things like evaporation or disease. My wife and I are thinking of building a home on some rural property we can retire on in a few years. Maybe drilling a well would be a better option than filtering lake water or connecting to a municipal system.

Jenna Hunter link

1/8/2020 07:07:47 pm

I liked what you said about how a water well is disinfected and pumped through a filtration system so that it is healthier. My uncle is thinking about getting a water well for his home so that he can have an independent source of water that he can control. It could be really nice for him to get it drilled by a professional.

Adam Golightly link

3/23/2020 04:17:48 pm

Thanks for explaining about how surface water is normally used for agriculture while groundwater is used for drinking, washing, and cooking. My uncle is thinking about getting a water well for his home so that he can reduce his water bills and be more self-reliant. It could be really useful for him to get the well drilled by a professional because he doesn't have the equipment for it.

Ron Booker link

4/8/2020 04:21:18 pm

My aunt has been thinking about getting a water well so that she can get cleaner water. She would really like to have the drilling and installation done by a professional so that it is done correctly. Thanks for your tips about how the water won’t have any harsh treatments or chemicals added to it.

Kate Welling link

6/15/2020 05:57:38 pm

I was surprised to read the groundwater isn't as affected as surface water. I am going to look for someone to install a well for me. I would love to have access to groundwater.

Groundwater vs. Surface Water

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