Surface Water Intrusion in Water Supply Wells
We see many cases of well problems that are directly attributable to surface water intrusion in the wells. These problems can range from coliform bacteria (including E. coli) to nitrates…
Where Does The Sulfur Come From in Tennessee Groundwater?
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation estimates that 20% of all wells in the Central Basin area of Middle Tennessee contain varying levels of sulfur, readily recognizable to the…
Tools of the Trade: Historical Topographic Maps
Why historical topo maps? The U.S. Geological Survey started their topographic map program in 1879 with the first maps produced in 1884. Over the years, the USGS has produced topographic…
Maintenance of Agricultural Wells
Although agricultural wells are often constructed in similar ways to municipal wells, their operational pattern is likely to be seasonal, which can result in maintenance issues caused by plugging, especially…
Tools of the Trade: Online Geologic Maps
Geology is vitally important in selecting a location for a new well, determining how deep the well needs to be, estimating potential yields and identifying potential water quality problems. While…
Tools of the Trade: Google Earth
When we are siting locations for new wells, we have a variety of tools we use to increase our chances to drill a productive well. One of my favorite tools…
Water Exploration in Karst
They say that the only thing certain about karst is its uncertainty, and that definitely holds true in Middle and East Tennessee. Even though karst geology does present some challenges…
Wellhead Protection and Source Water Assessment
When locating a new well, finding the water is only part of the challenge. Making sure that water that the well produces is clean – and is likely to stay…
Vertical Profiling of Wells
Vertical profiling of wells for both flow and water quality characteristics can be an extremely useful technique when it comes to dealing with ongoing well issues, or in final design…
Well Video Logging: A Key Diagnostic Tool
It is hard to overestimate the value of video logging when it comes to diagnosing problems with a water supply well. While various diagnostic tools and chemical tests are available,…