A Cautionary Tale
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…
It’s Just a Well!
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…
A Good Driller’s Log Can Be One of Your Best Diagnostic Tools
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
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…
Where Is That Contaminant Coming From In My Well?
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…
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…
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,…
Using Specific Capacity to Monitor Well Performance
Because it usually requires very little effort to collect the data necessary for the calculation of Specific Capacity, it is an extremely useful measurement that can be used to identify…