WorldWide Drilling Resource

A Consultant’s Perspective by Edward E. Everett, CPG Strata Environmental Services, Inc. The WWDR Team welcomes Edward Everett as a contributing writer. He has a master of science degree in geology, specializing in hydrogeology. He is a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, Michigan Ground Water Association, and National Ground Water Association. Ed is founder and president of Strata Environmental Services in Mason, Michigan; and is also a partner at Blackhawk Geophysical Services. Here is his first article: When my career in hydrogeology started 42 years ago, I had the great privilege of working with some very good well drilling professionals who taught me more about well design and installation procedures than any college coursework could. The company I worked for had a number of drill rigs, primarily focused on the environmental monitoring field, but I did run rigs for a number of years and learned from that experience as well. Our company (which consisted mostly of geologists/hydro- geologists) was often hired to develop large water supplies, and it was our responsibility to hire the drilling contractor, conduct test borings, design the production wells, oversee the drilling and well installation, run aquifer tests, and complete the aquifer analyses. Unfortunately, times change and the completion of a well is a “small” part of the total project, which likely includes the water distribution system and possibly water treatment. The engineering design and infrastructure installation costs far ex- ceed the cost of installation and testing of water wells. We frequently get hired as a subcontractor to the drilling firm, and have little say in the design of the wells - just verify the drilling company is doing their job. Hydrogeologists are tasked with evaluating the groundwater resource, predicting the sustainability of that resource, and assuring no adverse resource impacts occur (limit surface water depletion). With computers and limited data, we can make all kinds of predictions, and this appears to be the method preferred by regulatory agencies here in Michigan (hopefully not many other places). As scientists, we are seldom able to obtain enough data to satisfy our thirsty minds, mostly because of financial limitations. However, most of us are realists and understand some limitations. As an industry, the professionals in the water supply fields (drilling contractors, geologists, and engineers) need to push for sufficient funding to collect better hydrogeologic data which will allow for a much better understanding of the hydrogeologic system, to make better predictions - based on real data - of the sustainability of the resource. What does this involve? 1. Push to make sure at least one test bore is drilled through the entire aquifer thickness, even if the formation becomes less desirable (finer sand, no fractures in the bedrock, etc.); 2. Keep accurate drill logs, including what the base formation was (aquitard); and 3. Good aquifer test data. Geophysical logs of a test bore on-site takes some of the subjective formation descriptions to a common denominator, but (at least in Michigan) they are not required and often not specified. Ed Ed Everett may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com Recipe Corner Courtesy of the Texas Ground Water Association Ladies Auxiliary - Women of Water Cheesy Slow Cooker Potatoes 1 Bag of Southern-Style Hash Brown Potatoes 1 Can Cream of Celery Soup 1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup 1 Large Carton of Sour Cream 1 Pound of Bacon 1 Stick of Butter 16 Ounces of Velveeta ® Cheese Cook and crumble bacon. Melt butter and Velveeta ® cheese together. Mix all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on high for 2 hours. If you double the recipe, cook for 4 hours. WTR 42 MAY 2019 WorldWide Drilling Resource ®