Puits

Puits is the French term for a well, a vertical access to liquids that is typically used to reach groundwater. In common usage, a puits is a structure dug or drilled to supply water for drinking, irrigation, or industrial use. In mining and civil engineering, the word also designates a vertical shaft used to access a subterranean space, for ventilation, ore extraction, or escape.

A puits usually comprises a bore or excavation lined to prevent collapse and contamination. Common components include a casing or lining, a screen or perforated section near the intake, a wellhead at the surface, and a pumping device or other means to raise water. Wells may be shallow or deep, manually accessed or mechanically pumped. Artesian wells, or puits artésien, rely on groundwater confined under pressure in an aquifer, allowing water to rise above the water table without pumping.

Types include dug wells, which are shallow and often lined with stones or brick; drilled wells, which reach deeper aquifers; and artesian wells, which exploit pressurized groundwater. The choice of type depends on local geology, water demand, and safety considerations.

Water quality and sustainability are key concerns. Wells can suffer from contamination by surface runoff or leaching, require regular maintenance, and may deplete aquifers if extraction exceeds recharge. Throughout history, puits have been essential for settlement and agriculture, particularly in regions with limited surface water.

See also: borehole, aquifer, groundwater, artesian well.