Artesian Wells

Artesian wells, more abundant in southern North Carolina than in the state's northern counties, consist of ground water sufficiently concentrated and under enough natural pressure to flow to the surface through fabricated pipes without need of artificial pumping. Through these pipes, inserted at precise locations, steady streams of water flow at rates of 8 to 400 gallons per hour. The depth of artesian wells ranges from 50 to 350 feet; the temperature of the water is constant year round, but the quality of the water varies. In North Carolina, examples of successful artesian wells may be found in Brunswick, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, New Hanover, Pamlico, Pender, Richmond, Sampson, and Wayne Counties.