There are many misconceptions concerning water wells that have been circulating for years, one of which concerns artesian wells.  The fact that a property has an artesian well is usually touted as a quality of rare and high value, when the reality may be that it is more of a problem than a virtue.
     
An artesian well is a dug or drilled well that has so much hydraulic pressure that once the hole is punched the water gushes out of the hole on its own without the aid of a pump.  This flow can be high gallons-per-minute in volume or down to a trickle, but the fact that it flows directly up out of the hole in the ground makes it fit the definition. 

     Advertising the virtues of such a well may be sending a false message!  Yes, the water may be pure and wonderful, but that fact alone may not set it apart from any other drilled well.  If the well is located where water could be directed to a residence in such a manner that no electricity was needed, then it might be considered a benefit.  Even so, artesian wells continue to be promoted as if they have some sort of magical allure, as if their waters offer some health benefit or healing power that other waters don’t have, even though it could theoretically contain contaminants or be laden with minerals.

     It also does not mean you have an unlimited supply of potable water for an indefinite time.  Such wells can ebb and flow depending upon the time of year.  Since the State limits the usable amount for daily use of a domestic well to 5,000 gallons (that’s about 3 ½ gals per minute), it probably could not be used to its full potential anyway. 

     Another problem with artesian wells is the constant upward pressure which can create a real head ache, especially when trying to cap the well or install a pump.   The average household pressure tank assures that normal domestic water supplies maintain about 40 lbs. of constant pressure and since most artesian wells fall short of that pressure level, a pump would likely be required anyway. State law requires artesian well owners to cap excess water from escaping the well. This requires specialized packers and installation expertise.

   Of course it is a unique thing when such a well exists, but it rarely should be promoted as any sort of extra benefit to a property.