Do wells ever get clogged with sediments that's in the groundwater system?

-- Krista-Marie Cumberbatch (cumberba@oswego.edu), November 12, 2002

Answers

Wells can get clogged with sediment. When wells are installed, there can be a lot of loose material around the well that might clog the well screen. In order to prevent this from happening, air or water is rapidly injected and withdrawn, to help clean the screen and allow more efficient flow of water. This procedure is known as "well devlopment".

-- Sharon Gabel (gabel@oswego.edu), December 16, 2002.