Overcoming Water Supply Restrictions

Overcoming Water Supply Restrictions

Optimizing and maximizing existing groundwater wells to provide safe and ample supply of drinking water.

Providing an ample supply of safe drinking water is essential to all water suppliers. However, regulatory restrictions and environmental concerns have severely restricted water suppliers from developing new drinking water sources. As a result, water suppliers are turning to their existing groundwater wells to optimize and maximize approved or permitted regulated volumes for each source.

Many of the existing wells have lost capacity due to plugging of the well screen and gravel pack, relining with smaller diameter pack and screen, and due to structural problems with the screen and casing caused by corrosion.

Historically in New England, well redevelopment has utilized phosphates in the cleaning process. However, this chemical is a food source for biofouling bacteria. Removing 100% of this chemical from the aquifer and pack is impossible and a residual remains. The biofouling bacteria utilize this food source and rapidly re-grow and the well yield decreases. Often, the pH is not adjusted to proper levels to ensure effective “shock and disruption” of biofouling bacteria occurs. New well cleaning products are available to increase well redevelopment success and longevity.

Innovative well construction technology
Often existing well sites can be optimized by better placement or configuration of the well screen. Innovative angle or horizontal well designs can optimize the location of the screen in the highest water bearing area of the aquifer.

Often installing screens at shallower depths results in better water quality lower in iron and manganese. Also, directing the well screen away from sources of recharge that contribute elevated iron and manganese and total organic carbon can extend the duration between cleanings and increase yield.

Regaining lost supply at already permitted or approved well sites is a very cost effective approach to ensure water suppliers have ample sources of supply for the future. Usually no additional land acquisition is required, permitting is streamlined, duration between cleanings is extended, and chemical costs are reduced along with pump repairs.

Wright-Pierce provides a full range of hydrogeologic and water engineering services. We have experience optimizing existing well systems in addition to locating new groundwater supplies both in sand and gravel, and bedrock aquifers.