Many of us don’t remember much of what we learned in eighth-grade earth science class. One of those long-forgotten subjects is the water table—more specifically, what it is and how it relates to our daily lives. But considering how the water table directly impacts private water wells, we’re going to give you a quick explainer here today.
So, let’s dive in!
What Is the Water Table?
The water table is an invisible line underground where unsaturated soil meets saturated soil.
- Unsaturated soil is soil near the land’s surface that contains oxygen and water in the empty spaces between sediments. It’s what we see when we plant gardens and dig trenches.
- Saturated soil, on the other hand, is deeper underground and contains only water in the spaces between sediments and bedrock. Here, pockets of water form, and they’re called aquifers.
Importantly, the water table fluctuates from season to season and year to year due to precipitation levels. The precipitation penetrates the topsoil and trickles down into the earth. With more precipitation, there is more saturated soil, so the water table rises. Conversely, during periods of heavy plant growth and droughts, the water table drops.
How the Water Table Affects Private Wells
If you have a private well on your property, then you know that your well water is sourced from underground aquifers (those pockets of water below the water table, mentioned above). Obviously, when the water table gets too low, aquifers will not be as plentiful. So, with the information you have now about the natural fluctuations in your local water table, you can see how your daily water usage would be directly affected.
By keeping an eye on seasonal rainfall and weather conditions, you’ll be able to predict how high or low your water table will be—and by extension, whether you’ll experience any issues with your well water supply.
Any further questions about water tables, aquifers, or wells? Goold Wells & Pumps is always happy to help. Give us a call!