What type of wells are typically deep wells?

Artesian wells are typically characterized as deep wells because they tap into confined aquifers, where groundwater is under pressure. This pressure allows the water to rise to the surface without the need for pumping. Artesian wells can penetrate deep layers of groundwater that are sandwiched between impermeable rock layers, and this geological setup is what contributes to their significant depth compared to other types of wells.

In contrast, vertical wells, while they can also be deep, refer more broadly to the orientation of the well and do not specifically indicate the depth in relation to the water table, nor do they require a confined aquifer. Shallow wells, as the name suggests, reach only the upper levels of the aquifer and are much less deep than artesian wells. Hand-dug wells also tend to be shallow, as they are typically excavated by manual labor and are not usually constructed to reach deep aquifers.

Thus, articling wells are specifically designed to access deeper, pressurized sources of groundwater, making them distinct among well types.