But ending the groundwater shortage and the hardship on some well owners may not come with a mere six inches of rain. Bob Pulfrey, a geologist with Fortson's Well Drilling, said it may take several years before the county replenishes its groundwater supply. Pulfrey said that downpours are not the answer. What the county needs are soaking rains over long periods. County extension agent Carl Varnadoe said Madison County has long posed problems for those owning bored wells.
Bored wells are shallow wells that tap into groundwater beneath the soil.
Drilled wells are deeper and more expensive. These wells may run several hundred feet beneath the surface, beneath granite. Drilled wells don't go dry as quickly as bored wells. Varnadoe said he often gets calls from citizens who have dug new wells to replace old, dried out ones. Varnadoe said another concern with low groundwater levels is possible contamination of wells.