What defines a water well?

A water well is defined as a drilled excavation specifically designed to extract groundwater from underground aquifers. Wells are constructed to access water that is stored below the surface and may be used for various purposes, including drinking, irrigation, and industrial applications. This definition emphasizes the reliance on drilling techniques to reach groundwater, distinguishing wells from other sources of water.

In contrast, surface water collection systems do not involve drilling into the ground; instead, they gather water from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Similarly, irrigation systems are primarily designed to deliver water from surface or groundwater sources to agricultural fields, but they do not necessarily involve the extraction of water from a well. Lastly, natural springs are points where groundwater naturally flows to the surface without the need for human excavation, thus differing fundamentally from man-made wells.