Water rises above water table due to surface tension. Therefore, the height of capillary fringe varies with soil types and grain sizes. See Fig 6.9 on page 189 for detail. Confined between 2 aquitards. Water is recharged from recharge area.
Water table is the upper boundary.
Also called water table aquifer. Don't confuse with water table. For the latter case, it is higher than the ground surface. If not - transient flow. Refer to page 158-159.