What is the legal definition of a water well?

The legal definition of a water well focuses on its primary purpose, which is the recovery of groundwater. This definition encompasses structures specifically designed to access underground water sources, providing critical resources for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.

While the other options describe types of excavations or activities related to water, they do not accurately capture the essence of what constitutes a water well. The second option pertains to excavations for stock watering or irrigation specifically deeper than a certain depth, which is too restrictive and does not capture wells that may be shallower or used for purposes beyond stock watering. The third option refers explicitly to wells constructed for oil drilling, which falls outside the definition of water wells meant for accessing fresh groundwater. The fourth option discusses excavations for surface waters, which again diverges from the intent of accessing groundwater.

Thus, the definition as "a structure designed for the recovery of groundwater" is comprehensive and aligns with the legal standards for what constitutes a water well.