WorldWide Drilling Resource

24 FEBRUARY 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Through the Back Door! by Jim Kuebelbeck Toward the end of last year, we received a call from one of the well drilling contractors we often work with when he encounters problems locating a good water supply. He had just drilled two inadequate wells for a landowner who was constructing two large buildings for a new chicken barn facility. Each well pro- duced about three gallons per minute, which was not nearly sufficient to meet his needs. I asked if the construction was already started, and was told that such was the case. He then told me the requirement for each of the barns was 25 gallons per minute. Why anyone would even begin a project without first acquiring a satisfactory water supply on the property continues to baffle me. Because I was scheduled for a complete left knee replacement at the end of November, I agreed to “tough it out” and do one more water locating job before my surgery. When we arrived on-site, however, we discovered it had rained heavily the day before, and the area was covered with slippery mud. Because of the situation, Carol suggested maybe we shouldn't take the chance of twisting my already hurt knee and cause further damage. The drilling contractor and his son had met us at the site, and knowing we wouldn't be able to return anytime within the next few weeks, we decided to do our best under the circumstances. Working for about an hour, we did locate one underground water flow, selected a promising site along the flow, and marked it with one of our name flags. The others had to leave about that time, and we continued to carefully “slip and slide” around the area. As it turned out, we could find no other flow on the entire property. Having no other choice, we then selected a second site along the original flow about 300 feet from the first site we had marked, then marked it as a second choice. I called the drilling contractor later and expressed my fear that quite possibly a sufficient groundwater supply might not be available on the particular piece of property after all. His only comment was, “You always worked your magic before, so why should this time be any different?” This certainly didn't serve to put my mind at ease! Sporadic rain showers prevented the drill from returning to the muddy site for the next few weeks, so once again I had to put up with a number of sleepless nights. Two days after my knee surgery, the contractor called to tell me I had “worked my magic once again”. He had drilled on both of our selected sites and acquired 50+ gallons per minute on each of the sites at 68 feet, and the wells were going to be connected separately to each of the new barns. The landowner was pleased, the well drilling contractor was pleased, Carol and I are doubly pleased, and right now I'm now looking forward to getting back to doing what I do. The statements and comments in this article are based on information and references believed to be true and factual. If you have any questions or comments, please forward them to me in care of WWDR . Jim Jim Kuebelbeck may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com C&G