Open wells are basic cylindrical wells dug by hand tools, usually in developing countries due to their low cost. They pose health risks due to water contamination and the possibility of animals and children falling in. Inexpensive pumps can increase safety, and efforts are being made to cap or fence in wells.
An open well usually refers to the most basic type of well, which is a cylindrical well dug into the ground using hand tools, with an opening that is not covered by a permanent plug. Open wells are almost always groundwater wells, meaning they are drilled just deep enough to reach the water table, allowing groundwater to fill the bottom of the well. This type of well is commonly at least 3 to 4 feet (0.9-1.2 m) in diameter, making it large enough for at least one person to stand in the well while it is being built, and is usually no deeper than 200 m. feet (60 meters). Open wells are common in developing countries because they are cheap and easy to drill. However, they can pose health risks due to possible water contamination and because animals and children can fall into the well and die of injuries or drowning.
Many other types of wells require expensive drilling or drilling as well as the installation of pumps. An open well requires only hand tools and manual labor and does not require a high level of technology to operate and maintain. However, if the ground is very hard or rocky, constructing an open well may be difficult or impossible. Additionally, these wells commonly access shallow groundwater that can be susceptible to contamination from various sources such as sewage, animal waste, and polluted runoff. This type of well is commonly lined with brick, stone, concrete, or tile to prevent collapse of the well and minimize the risk of contamination.
The water in these wells is accessed by lowering a bucket on a rope or chain into the water. An open well submersible pump can also be installed to bring the water to the surface. There are various types of such pumps, including pumps powered by wind, gas or electricity. Rope or hand pumps are another alternative, especially in poor areas with few economic and technological resources.
Installing inexpensive pumps, such as hand or rope pumps, can increase well safety by making it possible to access water without leaving the well shaft open. This reduces the risk of water contamination and accidents. Other efforts are being made in many developing countries to make wells safer. These efforts include recommendations and requirements that every open well be capped or lidded, or fenced or walled in to prevent livestock, wildlife, and children from falling into the well.
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