What is the purpose of well casing and pressure cementing?

The purpose of well casing and pressure cementing is primarily to protect against collapse and surface contamination. Well casing is a series of pipes installed in a borehole to form a protective barrier between the groundwater and the surrounding soil, rocks, and potential contaminants at the surface.

Cementing the casing in place serves several critical functions: it secures the casing, preventing it from buckling or collapsing under pressure or due to geological movements, and it ensures the annular space between the casing and the borehole wall is sealed. This sealing is vital to prevent surface water or contaminants—such as pollutants or pathogens—from entering the well and reaching the aquifer. Therefore, this combination of well casing and cementing is essential for maintaining the integrity of water supplies, ensuring safety, and protecting water quality.

While increasing water flow, enhancing purity of water, and regulating pressure are important factors in groundwater management, they are not the primary functions of well casing and pressure cementing. The emphasis is mainly on structural support and contamination prevention.