What is the main purpose of a well?

The main purpose of a well is to penetrate an aquifer within the saturated zone, allowing access to groundwater. This is crucial because wells are designed to reach deeper underground water sources, tapping into aquifers that are naturally replenished by precipitation that has percolated through the soil and rock layers above.

In contrast, extracting surface water would not involve the construction of a well since surface water bodies, like rivers and lakes, can be accessed without drilling. Storing rainwater pertains to different practices, such as rainwater harvesting, which does not require penetrating the ground to reach an aquifer. Creating artificial lakes involves significant land alteration and water management practices, which diverges from the specific function of a well. Therefore, the design and function of a well are specifically aligned with accessing groundwater through aquifers in the saturated zone.