If the Air Force recruiter I met in high school had told me I could jump out of airplanes and drill water wells around the world, I would have signed up immediately. And that is exactly what the 820 RED HORSE is trained to do.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming 2014 “Grass Roots” South Atlantic Well Drillers Jubilee from July 26-28 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
In 2013, I had my doubts about the Jubilee after many friends told me they preferred Myrtle Beach to Virginia Beach. I suspect those drilling friends will welcome the return to Myrtle Beach.
Many times, I’ve been contracted by companies to critique their business, crews and equipment. I spend time in the office, I travel with the field crews for a few days and then I provide an evaluation to the company.
Thousands of water supply wells are drilled every year. Some of these wells are drilled for individual homeowners, new subdivisions or municipalities. The wells may also be drilled for a water source for industrial use or irrigation.
Groundwater law and water rights issues can be unique, yet challenging cases to handle. Jason Hill, a lawyer at environmental law firm Lloyd, Gosselink, Rochelle & Townsend in Austin, Texas, knows all about the complexities
that water law can include.
When drillers decide to give back to the community, it makes sense that improving access to safe water would be a cause they would support. If you read about Michael Campana’s talk at the National Ground Water Association 2013 Groundwater Expo about “hydrophilanthropy” efforts to bring water to Central America, then you know that drillers are well aware of the worldwide need for safe drinking water supplies. Not only that, they want to make a difference.
In my last several columns, I have written about selecting the proper openings for a water well screen and some popular installation methods. One thing we must do, however, before installing the screen is equip it with the proper fittings. Screens purchased from a manufacturer or supply house are not going to work as is (with a couple of exceptions).
About 15 years ago, I was contracted to be the qualifier for a prospective Colorado well drilling company. Once licensed, I would have been acting president of the drilling company until the owners could qualify to get their own license.
Two recent stories brought the rights of well drillers and well owners into stark relief.
What is the responsibility of the well drilling and water systems professions to the environment? Where do the rights of one homeowner begin and end, particularly in a time of water scarcity?
