If you have perforated casing and the formation no longer produces enough, you must seal the open perforation with cement before you drill down to the next aquifer.
PVC casing is inexpensive, reliable, never rusts and, used within limits, will make a lifetime well. However, PVC has one major drawback: It is not as strong as steel pipe.
Almost every well constructed, and virtually all drilled wells, use casing to support the hole and allow access to the producing horizon, be it oil, gas, water or most anything else under the ground.
Last month, we discussed “nominal diameter” as the term (incorrectly used by drillers) relates to augers, sonic pipe, casing, bits and borehole diameters.