Aegis Groundwater Consulting

..is it time to call it something different?

Christopher S. Johnson — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:48:19 +0000

Often we are called upon to improve the performance of a well. The older (I prefer “mature”) a well is, or shall I say the more mature it is, the more likely it is to have some kind of performance issue. Often we can improve the performance of these well, and that usually involves mechanical or chemical “cleaning”, followed by some kind of additional development. If there is a need for additional, more vigorous cleaning, then we can utilize jetting, pulsing, and possibly even explosives. All of this, in my mind, falls into the category of “rehabilitation”, or the improvement of pumping performance by altering the non-structural condition of the well screen, well casing and filter pack.

There are instances where we are required to patch a hole in the casing, or cover a section of perforated casing that is leaking sand. Rehabilitation does not seem an appropriate term for efforts at reestablishing the structural integrity, and performance, of a well. I submit that we could borrow a term, and call this process, remodeling.

So give this some thought, and let me know what you think.

Chris

Small pumps in big casings…

Christopher S. Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:33:29 +0000

There are instances where installing a larger casing than is necessary is helpful in the long run. A smaller pump can be used, but when the time comes and you need more water, then there is room for a larger pump.

..a place to call our own..

Christopher S. Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:26:45 +0000

Herein we may discuss and describe our thoughts on groundwater.

We need to know….

Christopher S. Johnson — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:14:04 +0000

Too often we as groundwater scientists are faced with far too little information, even the basics. This occurs with individual wells, all the way up to complete hydrologic basins. With more people using more water more often, and the easier surface water becoming more and more scarce, groundwater is once again becoming the reliable counterweight to the demand. Unfortunately, too often there is too little data to adequately support decision making, or management of this precious resource.

New wells are often installed without adequate documentation on how they were constructed and tested, making routine maintenance and repairs far more difficult. Growth often occurs in remote areas in such a way that simple, basic groundwater information is never collected, such as yearly water levels. The result is trying to repair a well that has all of a sudden become the vital source of water for a community or industry; or trying to manage plummeting groundwater levels when you have no idea where they started, and what they have been doing for the last 20 years.