Water Well Drilling Explained
Posted on: 9 December 2021
Did you know that an astounding 43 million people in the United States alone get their drinking water from private or domestic wells? These water sources are popular because they help homeowners cut monthly water bills. Moreover, unlike municipal water, which is often treated with chlorine, the water from a private well is chemical-free and better-tasting. Not to forget that a home with a private well has more market value compared to one without. And the best thing is you too can enjoy all these benefits and many more by drilling a water well on your property.
What Is Water Well Drilling?
Water well drilling refers to sinking a hole into the ground and using it to extract groundwater. Drilling is often necessary when water sources or aquifers are located deep beneath the earth's surface and are therefore impossible to reach using any other method. Once the drilling is complete, several essential components are added to the system to help it work, including a pump, sanitary seal, casing seal, and well screen.
Common Water Well Drilling Techniques
Most water wells are drilled using one of the following methods:
1. Cable tool drilling
In this type of drilling, a heavy string of drilling tools is repeatedly lifted and dropped into a borehole. The string typically contains the drilling jaws, drill bit, swivel socket, cable, and drilling stem. The drill bit is designed to break and crush consolidated rocks into more manageable fragments during drilling. On the other hand, the stem weighs down the bit, and the drilling jaws free it when it's stuck. Finally, the swivel socket connects the string drill tools and cable.
2. Auger drilling
Auger water well drilling involves using a drill bit shaped like a screw, usually made of steel casing. The bit also comes with flights that rotate while getting pushed into the ground by a rig drill head. The drill bit's rotation is responsible for transporting debris to the surface. Most people opt for auger well drilling because it can drill deep into the ground and achieve various boring diameters.
3. Rotary drilling
Rotary drilling is arguably the most popular water well drilling technique. It involves using a drill bit attached to a long drill pipe. The bit is designed to bore and reach an underground water source, but before that happens, the drill pipe has to be lowered into the ground first. Most drilling companies that rely on this technique make water well drilling more efficient and stabilize the hole using drilling fluids.
Get Professional Water Well Drilling Services
Water well drilling is an intricate procedure that needs skilled and experienced professionals. That is more so since drilling requires a machine known as a drill rig, which only trained individuals can operate. Moreover, drilling companies employ certified experts to avoid disastrous drilling mistakes like crooked water well shafts or drilling on unwarranted locations like next to septic tanks. That way, they guarantee the best results.
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