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paysagement

dry well (usage note)

In French: puits perdu

Definition

In everyday landscaping usage, a clear-stone pit or perforated chamber that takes clean rainwater (downspouts, drains) and lets it soak in: a dry well. Note: the OQLF reserves "puits perdu" for a well that receives wastewater to purify it in the soil, and calls the grated well that collects runoff a "puisard" (catch basin). A yard dry well must take only rainwater; how well it works depends on the soil, and a city may regulate it.

Also called

  • soakaway
  • infiltration pit

Other names in French

  • puits percolant
  • puits d'infiltration
  • puisard d'absorption (sens OQLF)

Sources

  1. The OQLF defines the puits perdu, or puisard d'absorption, as a well that receives wastewater so it is purified by percolation into the soil.

    puisard d'absorption, puits perdu (fiche du Grand dictionnaire terminologique) · Office québécois de la langue française

  2. The OQLF defines a puisard as a shallow concrete well with a grate and a settling basin that carries runoff to the sewer.

    puisard (fiche du Grand dictionnaire terminologique) · Office québécois de la langue française

  3. Calgary recommends consulting a professional before building a dry well, because topography and soil decide how well it works. (section 5.3, Dry Wells)

    Guide to Lot Drainage · City of Calgary