Artesian water, sourced from artesian wells, stands out as a unique form of groundwater. What sets it apart is its distinct geological characteristics and the natural filtration process it undergoes, resulting in an unparalleled level of purity and quality. In today’s article, you’ll explore everything about what is artesian water.
In contrast to regular groundwater, which necessitates pumping or external assistance to emerge, artesian water naturally flows upward, driven by its internal pressure, originating from confined aquifers located deep within the earth. In this quick guide, I will delve into what is artesian water, exploring its origins, benefits, and why it has become a sought-after choice for those seeking a truly exceptional drinking experience.
What Is Artesian Water: Introduction
Artesian water is an exceptional variety of spring water from underground aquifers. It can flow effortlessly to the surface, independent of any mechanical assistance, due to the force exerted by the impermeable rocks or clay surrounding it.
This internal pressure compels the water to traverse the confined aquifer and emerge as an artesian well.
FIJI water is a well-known illustration of artesian water, as it originates from an artesian aquifer in the secluded Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu, the largest island in Fiji.
The inherent natural pressure of artesian water makes it an enticing water source. It leads to a commonly held belief that this water type provides health benefits owing to its purity. Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that the composition of artesian water exhibits little difference compared to other forms of groundwater.
The key differentiation lies in its method of surfacing without reliance on pumps. This approach can lead to water with fewer contaminants in certain instances, although it is not a guaranteed outcome.
Although artesian water may not possess specific health benefits, it can still serve as an environmentally conscious and sustainable water source, primarily due to its lower energy requirements for extraction.
When responsibly sourced, artesian water can offer a consistent and dependable supply of revitalizing, pure water that caters to both human consumption and ecological requirements.
What Is Artesian Water: Source Of Artesian Water
Artesian derives from the freely flowing “artesian wells” built in the 12th century near Lillers, recognized as the Roman city of Artesium during the Middle Ages.
Artesian water is available in stores today and can originate from various locations worldwide—Georgia & Florida house two prominent artesian wells within the United States.
Nevertheless, globally, Australia’s largest and deepest reservoir of artesian water is renowned as the Great Artesian Basin.
What Is Artesian Water: Benefits Of Artesian Water
Here are the benefits of Artesian water:
Drink tasty water
Due to its mineral composition, artesian bottled water tastes delightful and appeals to many individuals who prefer it over tap water. If you have an aversion to tap water, transitioning to artesian bottled water could increase your water intake and enable you to relish the associated benefits.
High Mineral Content
The primary advantage of artesian bottled water, supported by scientific evidence, is its high mineral content.
Artesian bottled water is notably rich in essential minerals, with calcium being a prominent component of developing strong bones and teeth. Additionally, fluoride, known for its oral health benefits, is abundant in artesian water.
Moreover, the presence of naturally occurring electrolytes in artesian bottled water aids in maintaining the body’s pH balance.
Filter Contaminants
There is a belief held by some individuals that the internal pressure within artesian wells facilitates the natural removal of contaminants, such as nitrates, from the water.
Artesian bottled water is generally subjected to a different level of filtration than tap water treated with a filtration system. However, artesian water contains a higher mineral content and is often preferred for its pleasant taste than tap water.
Exceptional Purity
Artesian water has gained a reputation for its remarkable purity. As it journeys through layers of rock and soil, the natural filtration process, it undergoes aids in eliminating impurities, resulting in clean, fresh, and invigorating water.
What Is Artesian Water: Formation Of Artesian Wells
Artesian wells form when water descends onto land and permeates porous rock materials such as limestone, sand, or gravel. However, this process alone does not generate upward pressure to push the water to the surface.
Nonetheless, the water source encounters significant pressure when a compacted rock surrounds the porous ground. This pressure is the driving force that propels the water upward, resulting in its emergence from the ground resembling a modest geyser, albeit without steam.
Some of these artesian wells are remarkably robust, generating sufficient water pressure to supply multi-storied buildings. The larger wells can provide water to numerous households within apartment blocks, demonstrating their impressive strength and capacity.
Creating an artesian well involves harnessing the existing source itself. Consequently, drilling companies worldwide have successfully constructed artesian wells to tap into this unique spring water form.
Technically speaking, it is possible to create an artesian well by drilling into rock formations, thereby releasing the built-up pressure and establishing a pathway for the water to emerge forcefully.
What Is Artesian Water: Artesian Wells vs Flowing Artesian Wells
Every artesian aquifer creates good pressure, although certain aquifers lack sufficient natural pressure to bring water to the Earth’s surface independently. In such cases, a pump becomes necessary. Referred to as an artesian well, this type is widely prevalent in residential drilling.
A flowing artesian well or natural artesian spring is characterized by its connection to a high-pressure, enclosed aquifer. In these cases, water naturally ascends to the Earth’s surface without requiring a pump.
Flowing artesian wells are commonly utilized in agriculture to provide water for crops and livestock. These wells are drilled explicitly for this purpose, and obtaining special permits is necessary to ensure their proper construction, aiming to minimize soil erosion and prevent the wastage of groundwater.
An actively flowing artesian well that maintains a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute has the potential to result in an annual wastage exceeding 5 million gallons.
What Is Artesian Water: Pros & Cons Of Artesian Wells
Here are the pros and cons of the Artesian water:
- Comes with a brisk flow rate
- Never runs dry
- High cost
What Is Artesian Water: Problems With Artesian Wells
Here are the risks and problems associated with Artesian wells:
- By exclusively consuming artesian bottled water, you will spend a substantial amount of money annually on disposable water bottles. Suppose your goal is to drink clean mineral water. In that case, numerous cost-effective & environmentally friendly alternatives are available for you to explore within the comforts of your home.
- Certain artesian water sources may exhibit subpar quality, potentially leading to adverse effects on the ground surface or contamination of the enclosed aquifer. Poor-quality water may contain hazardous contaminants that pose risks to human health.
What Is Artesian Water: Treatment Of Artesian Well Water
When consumed, specific geological formations can harbor arsenic, a well-known, highly hazardous substance. Generally, deeper wells pose a higher risk of encountering poor-quality water.
Additionally, the construction of the well itself can contribute to water quality issues. Corrosion of the well casing can lead to the leakage of contaminants into the artesian aquifer.
Furthermore, if the surface seal of the well fails, sand and sediment can infiltrate the spring water, causing further degradation in quality.
There is a possibility of encountering other naturally occurring mineral ions, like sulfur, nearby. Additionally, pathogens may have the potential to seep into the well.
It is crucial to treat water sourced from a natural well; the same applies to artesian water. Artesian bottled water undergoes treatment processes to ensure its safety before making it available for consumption. If you have your well, using a water filter becomes necessary to achieve a similar level of safety.
Drinking Artesian Water
Artesian water comes from deep underground aquifers and is naturally filtered through rock layers. Due to this natural filtration process, artesian water is generally known for its high quality and purity.
It is often naturally rich in minerals like calcium and magnesium, which can benefit our overall health. However, like any other type of water, the quality of artesian water depends on the specific source and how it is collected.
While artesian water can be safe to drink, it is essential to ensure that it has been appropriately tested for contaminants and meets the necessary safety standards.
Some potential issues include bacterial growth, agricultural or industrial runoff chemicals, and natural impurities like arsenic or radon. In most cases, reputable brands follow strict regulations and regularly test their sources for drinking water safety.
What Is Artesian Water: Comparison With Spring & Bottled Water
Let’s look at Spring water and Bottled water –
Spring Water
Spring water is derived from natural springs and is generally recognized for its fresh flavor and abundant mineral composition. Similar to artesian water, the excellence of spring water can fluctuate based on the origin and collection process.
Since springs may be susceptible to surface impurities, it is crucial to guarantee thorough testing and filtration to ensure water safety.
Bottled Water
Bottled water can be obtained from diverse sources, such as artesian wells, springs, or municipal water systems. The caliber of bottled water is contingent upon both the origin and the treatment procedures implemented by the bottling company. Examining the label to acquire details about the water source and any supplementary treatment or filtration techniques is essential.
To summarize, while artesian water is recognized for its purity and abundant mineral composition, it is essential to consider factors such as testing, adherence to safety standards, and the unique characteristics of the water source.
Both spring and bottled water can be viable choices when considering your options, provided that their source and treatment methods are considered. The crucial aspect is to guarantee that the water you consume meets the required standards for quality and safety.
Artesian Water Test
Conducting a thorough test is the only reliable approach to ascertain the composition of well water or artesian bottled water.
In the case of consuming municipal water, the annual water quality report provides information regarding the source of your drinking water—whether it is derived from ground or surface water—and details the levels of potentially harmful contaminants. However, you must conduct a water test if you rely on well water.
Evaluating the quality of artesian water is a simple process. You can take a sample to a laboratory or utilize a home test kit.
Test strips obtain for as low as $15, but I suggest adopting a comprehensive approach if it has been a significant amount of time since your water was last analyzed.
They provide testing panels catering to different water sources, including city, well, and bottled water. If you have ever desired to uncover the contents of your preferred brand without solely relying on the manufacturer’s claims, a convenient solution now exists to fulfill that curiosity.
Conducting tests on artesian well water is important, mainly due to potential nuisance contaminants like sediment that necessitate filtration. Acquiring knowledge regarding water safety and making informed decisions about filtration equipment empowers you to ensure water quality.
Artesian Water Filtration
Confined aquifers frequently harbor sulfur compounds, and as water ascends to the surface of the aquifer, it tends to accumulate sediment and other contaminants from the ground, potentially impacting the quality of the water.
The elevated mineral content found in artesian water can contribute to the formation of limescale within your plumbing system, leading to expensive issues.
You can utilize a water softener or a TAC water conditioner to address this concern. Implementing filtration measures can help safeguard your home and enhance the taste of artesian water.
Finding Artesian Water
A fortunate few possess the privilege of having a high-quality, private artesian well directly linked to their residence. However, most individuals must actively search for and transport artesian water to their homes.
Online platforms and select stores specializing in premium water offer the option to purchase bottled artesian water from various locations worldwide. However, being prepared for a higher price tag associated with these products is essential.
Discovering a public well where you can freely collect water using your containers is possible in your vicinity. However, it is crucial to verify the water quality before consuming it.
Storing & Using Artesian Water
If a manufacturer bottled the artesian water, it is advisable to maintain the original seal until you are ready to consume it. Similarly, if you collect the water, store it in a glass or ceramic container and consume it within a 24-hour timeframe.
If you intend to consume only some artesian water at a time, store it in the refrigerator and consume it within 72 hours.
It is crucial to avoid storing artesian water in plastic containers or allowing it to come into contact with metal, as both can potentially contaminate the water. Opting for glass containers is ideal to ensure the water remains uncontaminated.
Artesian water is not only ideal for home consumption but also serves as a wonderful option for on-the-go hydration. If you want to ensure its quality, carry artesian water in a glass or ceramic bottle when taking it with you.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) On What Is Artesian Water
1. What is the difference between artesian water and regular water?
Artesian water is the unrestricted spring water flow derived from an artesian well or spring. Unlike conventional wells that necessitate a pump, artesian wells rely on the natural upward movement of water from an underground aquifer, propelled by internal pressure, to reach the surface.
2. Is artesian water good for you?
Artesian water offers exceptional benefits for your body! It naturally contains essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium, vital in supporting adrenal function.
3. What are the disadvantages of artesian water?
Here are the disadvantages of artesian water:
- The continuous flow of water can cause harm to pipes and other mechanical components.
- The pressure of the water supply may exhibit consistency or need to meet the desired volume requirements.
- The location may need more convenience or be vulnerable to contamination.
Conclusion: What Is Artesian Water
Artesian water from natural springs or wells provides a revitalizing choice renowned for its abundant minerals and pleasant flavor. Nevertheless, it is crucial to carefully evaluate variables such as the water source, treatment methods, and rigorous testing to guarantee its excellence and safety.
Irrespective of whether you acquire artesian water from a reputable bottled brand or a private well, adhering to appropriate storage and handling procedures is vital.
Artesian water offers many advantages, including essential mineral content. Still, it is crucial to remain aware of potential obstacles such as contamination hazards, fluctuating pressure, and the need for regular maintenance.
If your primary goal is to relish in the consumption of uncontaminated drinking water, invest in a home water filtration system.
Numerous filtration options allow you to eliminate prevalent contaminants from water while preserving its inherent minerals (as tap water does contain calcium, magnesium, and fluoride).
Opting for a filtration system is a wise and environmentally conscious decision that saves you money in the long term and ensures a smarter approach to water consumption.
I hope today’s article on what is artesian water sounds helpful!
