WATER BORE PROBLEMS AND INVESTIGATIVE RESEARCH

Water well problems require a systematic approach to determine the cause of problems or declining yields. Investigation techniques involve downhole VIDEOLOG to visualise the problem, water chemistry analysis and an assessment of monitoring records with database techniques.

Developing a Design for Routine Monitoring Applications

• Intervals for treatment methods can be selected with systematic use of records for performance checks and analysis and testing-Not Guessing.
  
• Technological monitoring: use of automated bore loggers, telemetry and GIS or ordinary database recording can be utilised for routine monitoring and provides seamless data source for accurate bore recordings.
  
• Recommendations can be provided for each specific situation whether for individual bores or for complex borefield.

WATER WELL INVESTIGATIONS PROBLEM SOLVING AND SOLUTIONS

Ground Water Well Monitoring and Management

What is groundwater management? Is it the rehabilitation of the bore or is it the maintenance of the bore?

BORE MAINTENANCE

This involves INVESTIGATIONS determined from a scheduled budgeted process of testing, inspection, repair and treatment to maintain bore performance and water quality so rehabilitation can be postponed or or become negated.


H2O BORE TECHNOLOGIES

Standard Water Bore Problems

• Water quality declines Usually discolouration or foul smelling odour and is relatively easy to spot
  
• Lower Specific capacity (eg yield per metre drawdown resulting from either declining water resources or bore blockages)
  
• Lower or fluctuation pumping yields May be assessed from review of monitoring bores to understand problems.
  
• Pump failure /Aging Likely due to pump failure from pump seizure of electrical problems from either pump or electricity generation
  
• Sand/Silt/Gravel Pack ingress into bore Bore structural failure typically can be investigated with VIDEOLOG
  
• chemical Encrustation Requires complex review to determine water chemistry encrustation issues
  
• Biofouling/Bacterial Well Clogging eg most common types are iron species that can be tested with "BART" test kits
  
• Pump/Bore Corrosion Can be disasterous and costly resulting from improper bore construction material or low grade non 316 Stainless Steel grade (recommended)

Maintenance to Prevent Bore and Pump Deterioration

• Maintenance for bores can be compared to other costly, vital mechanical assets
  
• Cost effectiveness Issues MAINTENANCE expenses can be balanced with overview of total bore life expectancy and enhancement , provide for scheduled budget costs versus typically very high emergency costs that may result from NON-MAINTENANCE. Spreadsheet analysis are available to allow for comparison and identify management issues.
  
• Maintenance Strategies
  A. Maintenance monitoring routines can identify potential problems
  B. Diagnostic testing can be performed to evaluate the causes of deterioration in bores allowing ordered respondence and define performance benchmarks and gains
  C. Preventative inspection and mechanical maintenance/repair
  D. In house or Contract out the work - dependant on capabilities
  
• Water quality parameters to monitor-looking for change
  Monitoring requirements to measure change in pumping with physical, chemical and biological water quality
  

Periodic Bore and Pump Inspections

• Inspections provide warning signs and negate emergency supply interuptions
  
• Record Keeping provide historic review and can provide a predictive tool
  
• Top side record keeping and inspection for power, motor and hydraulic performance
  
• Downhole video camera run allows spotting trouble and seeing is believing
  

Application of Preventative Treatment Methods

Application Methods Selected From

Well surging, chemical treatment or rehabilitation of encrustation removal. Spreadsheet analysis can provide the Cost effectiveness vs. rehabilitation after performance declines. If left too long the bore could become unoperational and restoration less likely.