Question

which statements about wells are true? check all that apply.
wells bring groundwater from the unsaturated zone to the surface of the water.
wells need to be drilled below the water table.
if water is pumped from a well too quickly, the well may run dry.
water from wells is generally not safe to drink.
water gushes from artesian wells due to pressure.

Explanation:

1. Analyze "Wells bring groundwater from the unsaturated zone to the surface of the water": Groundwater is in the saturated zone (below water table), unsaturated zone has little water. So this is false.
2. Analyze "Wells need to be drilled below the water table": To access groundwater, wells must reach below the water table (where water is stored in pores), so this is true.
3. Analyze "If water is pumped from a well too quickly, the well may run dry": Pumping faster than recharge (water refilling the aquifer) can deplete the water source, causing the well to dry, so this is true.
4. Analyze "Water from wells is generally not safe to drink": Many well waters (especially from properly constructed wells in clean aquifers) are safe, so this is false.
5. Analyze "Water gushes from artesian wells due to pressure": Artesian wells have water under pressure (from overlying layers), so water rises/gushes without pumping, this is true.

Answer:

B. Wells need to be drilled below the water table, C. If water is pumped from a well too quickly, the well may run dry, E. Water gushes from artesian wells due to pressure