How long does it take rain water to reach an aquifer?

The rainfall that seeps into the ground on your property moves through the soil at a rate of only 10 feet per year. Since aquifers (where your well gets its water supply) are hundreds of feet below ground, it might take more than a decade for that rain to reach an aquifer or water-bearing strata!

How fast do aquifers refill?

Depending on its permeability, aquifers can gain water at a rate of 50 feet per year to 50 inches per century. They have both recharge and discharge zones. A recharge zone usually occurs at a high elevation where rain, snowmelt, lake or river water seeps into the ground to replenish the aquifer.

Does rain help refill aquifers?

Groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and snow melt and to a smaller extent by surface water (rivers and lakes).

Do underground aquifers refill?

Natural refilling of aquifers at depth is a slow process because ground water moves slowly through the unsaturated zone and the aquifer. In contrast, a shallow aquifer in an area of substantial precipitation may be replenished almost immediately. Aquifers can be replenished artificially.

How long does a well take to refill?

Some shallow wells that are in a sand and gravel geological formation will recharge within 24 hours. Some that recharge by a nearby stream or river will also recharge quickly. However, some deep wells with a small and semi-impervious recharge area may take many months or years to fully recharge.

How far does rainwater go into the ground?

An inch of rain will wet the soil to a depth of 1 foot, if there is no runoff and the soil is a sandy loam. If your soil trends to more sand it will penetrate further, and it will be more easily absorbed, but it won’t be retained as long.

How do you recharge an aquifer?

The two main approaches used to recharge aquifers are surface infiltration and deep injection. Surface infiltration can enhance natural aquifer recharge in several ways: Creating artificial streams and ponds (“spreading grounds”) in fast-draining soil. Creating local catchment systems for rainwater and stormwater.

Can you pump water into an aquifer?

Injecting or pumping water into an aquifer for storage and use at a later time is known as Aquifer Storage and Recovery, or ASR. This is the concept of ASR: during times of plentiful water, extra water can be withdrawn from a river (or other source) and then injected and stored within an aquifer.

How does water get into an aquifer?

An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater. Groundwater enters an aquifer as precipitation seeps through the soil. It can move through the aquifer and resurface through springs and wells.

How does an aquifer get filled?

When a water-bearing rock readily transmits water to wells and springs, it is called an aquifer. Wells can be drilled into the aquifers and water can be pumped out. Precipitation eventually adds water (recharge) into the porous rock of the aquifer.

Can you run your well dry filling a pool?

The only time that it can run your well dry is if you fill your pool with a hose using well water. Not to mention, it could impose a risk of damaging your well pump. However, the use of well water is not encouraged by experts since it contains a high level of minerals and metals.