Definition

Noun: 1. A type of well where water flows to the surface under natural pressure: An artesian well is a well that taps into a confined aquifer (an underground layer of water-bearing rock) where the water is under enough pressure to rise above the level of the aquifer, sometimes reaching the surface without the need for a pump.

Usage

The term is used to describe a specific, naturally occurring hydrological feature. It is a technical term common in geology, hydrology, and engineering. - The farm's water supply comes from a reliable artesian well. - Drilling an artesian well requires precise knowledge of the underground geological layers. - The defining characteristic of an artesian well is the upward flow of water due to hydrostatic pressure.

Advanced Usage

• Artesian aquifer/flow/pressure: These phrases describe the specific geological conditions (the confined water source and the natural force) that create an artesian well.
  • The region is known for its extensive artesian aquifer.
  • Artesian pressure forced the water several feet above the ground when the well was first drilled.

Variants and Related Words

• Artesian (adjective): Of or relating to an artesian well or the hydrostatic pressure involved.
  • The artesian water was cool and pure.

Synonyms

• Flowing well: A more descriptive synonym that emphasizes the water's natural upward movement.
• Spring: While similar, a spring is a natural exit point for groundwater at the land surface, not necessarily created by drilling into a confined aquifer under pressure.

Noun

1. a well drilled through impermeable strata into strata that receive water from a higher altitude so there is pressure to force the water to flow upward