Published On: November 20, 2024By Mike PriceCategories: Drilling, The Art of Water Wells
The success of the well project can depend on selections made by the groundwater professional.
By Marvin F. Glotfelty, RG
Figure 1. Generalized diagram of the direct mud rotary drilling method. Drilling fluid is pumped by the mud pump down the center of the drill string to circulate cuttings (blue arrows) from the drill bit back to the land surface.
There are a lot of drilling methods that can be used for installation of a water well, and each of those drilling techniques are appropriate for some, but not all, hydrogeologic conditions and well designs.
Similarly, there are numerous tools and techniques that can be applied for well development, and just as with drilling methods, some methods will be successful, and others will be ineffective, to develop the well under certain conditions.
Most groundwater professionals will select the drilling method and development method for a particular well based on their prior experience. However, as Will Rogers said, “Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.”
We all learn from our past successes and failures, but as we install wells at various locations with differing hydrogeologic conditions and well performance expectations, our previous experience may no longer be applicable.
Consideration of the selection process is worthwhile because the success or failure of a well installation project will turn on the groundwater professional’s initial selection of the drilling method and well development technique that will be compatible with the specific location and purpose of that well.
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