Well

A well is a structure created to access liquid water from an aquifer. It can be dug into the ground or drilled into rock or other geological formations. Common types include dug wells, which are relatively shallow and lined with stone, brick, or concrete; driven wells, made by driving a small-diameter tube into the ground; and drilled or bored wells, which reach deeper aquifers through engineered boreholes and casings. A well typically involves a casing or lining to prevent collapse and groundwater contamination, a sanitary cap, and a pump or lifting device to bring water to the surface. Water quality and yield depend on geology, aquifer characteristics, and proximity to contaminants. In rural and developing areas, wells have historically provided household water, livestock supply, and irrigation; drilling and installation can be regulated and require appropriate permits and sanitation measures. Artesian wells occur when groundwater is under hydrostatic pressure in a confined aquifer, causing water to rise above the aquifer without pumping in some cases.

Other uses of the word well include the concept of well-being, meaning a state of health, happiness, or prosperity; the adverb and adjective forms indicating manner—“do something well” or “healthy” as in “feeling well.” The term’s etymology derives from Old English wel or wela, connected to springs and water sources for the noun sense, and to the Proto-Germanic root for health and goodness in the sense of “well” or “good” for the adjective/adverb sense. The word appears in many place names and historical contexts, reflecting the central role of water in settlement and development.