A dry well is most commonly used as part of which type of system?

A dry well is primarily associated with open loop systems. In an open loop system, water is drawn from a natural source, such as a well, pond, or river, used for cooling or heating, and then discharged back into the environment after use. The dry well serves as a disposal point for stormwater or excess water that needs to be managed, allowing it to percolate into the surrounding soil. This is important for maintaining groundwater levels and ensuring water quality.

In contrast, closed loop systems recirculate water without discharging it back to the environment, whereas hybrid or recycling loops involve a combination of practices but do not typically utilize a dry well in their standard configurations. This differentiation reinforces why the dry well is fundamentally tied to open loop systems, as its primary function aligns with the principles of using and managing water directly from a source and returning it in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.