To keep loose sand and gravel from collapsing into the borehole, it is necessary to use well casing and screen. The screen supports the borehole walls while allowing water to enter the well; unslotted casing is placed above the screen to keep the rest of the borehole open and serve as a housing for pumping equipment.
Drilling muds have four basic properties that determine the behavior of the mud as a drilling fluid – viscosity, density, gel strength and filtration. Several other properties, although of lesser importance, need to be checked, especially if problems are anticipated or encountered.
In normal mud rotary drilling, it is not unusual for solids content to approach 20 percent of returns during fast-hole drilling. This is good; it means fast penetration and thus, a quicker, more profitable hole. The trick is to get the solids out of the mud before it is returned to the hole.
Regardless of purpose, almost all water wells must be provided with a means of protecting the borehole and provision made for the entrance of water from surrounding aquifers. This article discusses casing and screen materials in common use in the word today. It also sets forth the factors to be considered in their choice.
Effective irrigation is not possible without a reliable water source. Irrigation wells must produce a high volume of water during the driest months of the year, July and August. To maintain consistent, high production from year to year, a well requires annual maintenance, just like any other piece of valuable equipment.
The primary function of the pressure tank in a pumped water system is to protect the pump motor, which is accomplished by storing water under pressure so the pump does not have to come on every time there is a small, intermittent demand for water.
The use of good quality spring-loaded check valves is an important part of providing your customer with a water system that will perform reliably for years.