What is the difference between a drilled well and a dug well?

The distinction between a drilled well and a dug well primarily revolves around the method of construction, depth, and the use of equipment. A drilled well is typically deeper than a dug well because it is created using specialized drilling equipment that can penetrate deeper into the ground to access aquifers that may not be reachable by a dug well. Dug wells, on the other hand, are generally shallower since they rely on manual excavation or simple digging methods.

Dug wells are often limited to the water table's surface or upper aquifers and can be significantly less capable of reaching deeper water sources, which drills are specifically designed to access. Drilling allows for both deeper and more precise targeting of water sources, leading to more successful and consistent yield.

In terms of costs, dug wells can often be less expensive initially, but they may require more maintenance over time and might yield less water if not deep enough. Moreover, dug wells are typically constructed by hand, while drilled wells use mechanized processes that automate and speed up the construction. Therefore, acknowledging that drilled wells tend to be deeper than dug wells highlights a key characteristic differentiating the two types of wells.