Blog - Southeast Hydrogeology

A Cautionary Tale

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:September 22, 2020
Post category:Well Diagnostics

Well problems usually fall within predictable patterns, so the tendency is to jump immediately to a solution once you know what the problem is. Every now and again, though, we…

The Art of Water Wells Review

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:August 21, 2020
Post category:Well Construction

There has not been a good book on the construction of water wells since, in my mind, the Second Edition of Groundwater and Wells by Fletcher Driscoll. The Art of…

It’s Just a Well!

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:July 20, 2020
Post category:Well Construction / Well Diagnostics

I don’t normally discuss ongoing projects here, but this time I wanted to share a current well project that might be of interest to a lot of people. The well…

It’s Not Business As Normal!

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:April 20, 2020
Post category:Well Health / Well Rehabilitation

Even if at the time you read this post quarantine restrictions have been loosened, it is likely that the unprecedented shut down of the nation’s economy is going to have…

Stainless Steel Wells

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:October 15, 2019
Post category:Well Construction / Well Health

Recently, I talked about why a well constructed with more expensive, but durable, materials, may be the least expensive well over its lifespan. This is due the fact that some…

The True Cost of a Well

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:October 15, 2019
Post category:Well Construction / Well Health / Well Rehabilitation

When most people think of the cost of a well, they usually only consider the cost to drill and construct the well and contracts for new wells are often bid…

A Good Driller’s Log Can Be One of Your Best Diagnostic Tools

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:January 19, 2019
Post category:Well Diagnostics

One of my first stopping points when I am trying to figure out what ails a well is the driller’s log. There can be a lot of clues there as to…

Water Level Measurements – A Simple But Useful Diagnostic Tool

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:December 9, 2018
Post category:Well Diagnostics

I’m always amazed at how many small water systems, not to mention domestic well owners, do not keep track of water levels in their wells. Measuring water levels is simple…

Sometimes, There Is Just Not Enough Water

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:October 24, 2018
Post category:Hydrogeology

I recently got a phone call from a colleague of mine whom I team up with on well projects from time to time. He had an interesting dilemma that he…

Where Is That Contaminant Coming From In My Well?

Post author:Thomas Ballard
Post published:September 22, 2018
Post category:Hydrogeology / Well Diagnostics

I talked to the operator of a small water district in California several years ago about an issue they were having with arsenic in their main supply well. Water samples…