What type of well is considered a shallow well?

A shallow well is typically defined as one that is relatively close to the surface, usually reaching depths of about 25 feet or less. Dug or driven wells fit this definition perfectly because they are commonly constructed by manually digging into the ground or driving a pipe into the surface layers of soil and rock until groundwater is reached. These methods can easily access the water table without needing extensive equipment or deep drilling techniques.

Dug wells are often excavated by hand and can vary in diameter, while driven wells utilize a smaller diameter pipe that is pushed into the ground. Both types are generally associated with shallower water sources, making them ideal candidates for shallow well classification.

Conversely, drilled wells and bored wells are typically deeper and are often used to access water that is found in bedrock or at greater depths. Deep wells, by their nature, extend far beyond the depths associated with shallow wells and are designed for substantial water yield from deeper aquifers. Thus, while those options are valid forms of well construction, their characteristics do not align with what is defined as a shallow well.