Ximena Ramirez

Water wells the key of our future

The average lifespan of a water well ranges from 25 to 40 years if it has carbon steel piping. Other steel alloys can increase the well's durability; however, a crucial point is sustainability. This means that over the years, the well continues to provide a constant and sustainable flow of water. To achieve this, it largely depends on the underground aquifers not being overexploited and on the recharge rate being greater than or equal to the extraction volume. However, today most aquifers are overexploited due to the large amount of water extracted each year. Another important factor that will ensure the sustainability of water wells is the periodic maintenance that the user must perform to keep them free of sediment and at their full depth. This includes minimizing corrosion of the steel casing pipe, thus extending its lifespan. Continuous monitoring of static and dynamic water levels in the well is also crucial, as is annual water quality analysis to identify any potential partial or total aquifer contamination.