WorldWide Drilling Resource

Environmental Monitoring by Thomas Kwader, Ph.D., PG Sinkholes, Drainage Wells, and Ungrouted Wells ~ Possible Conduits for Contamination of our Aquifers Have you ever seen a small creek or drainage ditch flow along the ground, then disappear into a hole, well, or sinkhole? Did you ever wonder where the water goes, or what may be in the water? It could be nothing, or there could be harmful contami- nants entering our aquifer which would be considered toxic if we were to drink these compounds. “Mother Nature” has cre- ated a unique filtration system which does a pretty good job of filtering out many types of harmful compounds dissolved or suspended in percolating water. The natural sequence of soils and sediments are often sand, loam, silt-clay, and deeper car- bonate of limestone and/or dolomite. The purpose of the lay- ers are: Sand/Silt - To filter out suspended particles and organics in waters. Loam and Organic Matter - These carboniferous layers filter harmful metallic ions and other charged particles. Charge from aerobic (air) to anaerobic (little air or oxygen) - Often a quick change from aerobic to anaerobic condi- tions (also important in septic tank drain fields), which is a natural process and effectively kills many types of bac- teria and viruses. These organisms usually cannot adapt to both types of environments. Carbonates - Raise the low pH (acidic) of the surface water to near a pH of 7, which also helps achieve desirable drinking water standards. Most wells of moderate to deep depths (60 feet or more) are capable of withdrawing groundwater of potable quality (free of harmful chemicals and compounds) and absent of significant quantities of bacteria and viruses. If surface water finds a vertical path from land surface directly into the groundwater table, bypassing the natural filtration system discussed above (through sinkholes, deep fissures, or unsealed wells), the water is likely to contain harmful organ- isms and chemicals. We all need to try and avoid water which bypasses “Mother Nature’s” natural filtration system. As well drilling contractors and scientists, we also need to identify leaking abandoned wells and drainage wells receiving surface waters and properly abandon those problem wells. Tom Tom Kwader may be contacted via e-mail to michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Call toll-free (844) 716-1484 E-mail: dan@westernwellrepair.com Website: westernwellrepair.com California C57 Contractor's License # 1031626 We’ve seen almost everything3 and can fix almost anything in a well. Video Service 3” dual-view downhole camera - 1-5/8” dual-view mini downhole camera - panoramic - 360 degree articulating dead w/zoom. Well Repair and Rehabilitation Service Our MPXSwage™ tools have the power to push out the toughest breaks and collapsed casing. Our hydraulic packers are used for water sampling, formation redevelopment, chemical cleaning, air cleaning, and more. Geo-Logging Services Electric log, 3 & 4 arm caliper logs, deviation / gyro, gamma ray, spinner (flowrate) log, depth specific sampling, guard log, downhole material samples, and more. Products - Hydraulic Swage Tools Small for wells 6”-7”, Medium for wells 8”-12”, Large for wells 12”-18”. 18 DECEMBER 2017 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® 0,2+ 675;,4 -57 5;,7 ',(78 /558, -753 +0--,7,49 35+,28 95 -09 >5:7 4,,+8 "(4.04. -753 36 95 36 4*2:+,8 %,/0*2, :36 #9(7904. (99,7> /(7.04. (4+ (4+ % 95 65<,7 &07,-,,+,78 0. (7708 "5(+ ,74+(2, ,< '571 $,2 (= &,) 809, <<< .,9,* *53 3(02 8(2,8 .,9,* *53 ',(78 5- =6,70,4*, 3(1, 9/08 204, 5- &,2+,78 (4 :43(9*/,+ !:(209> 75+:*9 04 95+(>?8 3(71,9 690548 04*2:+, 49,74(2 7,88:7, 536,48(904. 25< 549752 67,;,4904. (**0+,49(2 5;,786,,+ +(3(., 95 9/, &,2+,7 %,/0*2, :36 #9(7904. %5298 ( ,9,* ,=*2:80;, (99,7> /(7.04. %5298 (4+ % 95 65<,7 >5:7 0. :4 &07,-,,+ 589 536(*9 >+7(:20* &,2+,7 54 (71,9 (049,4(4*, 7,, ,80.4 0./9,89 >+7(:20* &,2+,7 54 (71,9 The WWDR office will be closedDecember 22 nd - 25 th and January 1 st , so our staff can enjoy time with their families. Limited staff will be available December 26 th - 29 th ; e-mail will be monitored. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and safe and pros- perous new year.