What is Well Rehabilitation?
Professionals suggest well rehabilitation when preventative maintenance programs fail to resolve the issue of a decrease in yield or well performance declines by 25%.
Well rehabilitation is the process of using various treatments (mechanical and chemical), reconstruction, or redevelopment methods to restore a water well to its most efficient condition and extend its longevity. It becomes necessary as the performance and productivity of a water well deteriorates over time due to age and regular use. Rehabilitation helps increase the well yield and capacity.
Professionals suggest well rehabilitation when preventative maintenance programs fail to resolve the issue of a decrease in yield or well performance declines by 25%. The probability of the success of the well rehabilitation process usually depends on how severe the problem has become and the factors contributing to poor well performance. If well rehabilitation also fails to restore the water quality and quantity to the desired levels, the only option is to abandon the well and drill a new one.
Reasons a well needs remediation
The water becomes cloudy or rusty
Slimy pipes
Encrustation
Reduced water flow and yield
Poor maintenance
Change in water taste and foul odor
Sand pumping
Pump damage
Cracked natural aquifer
Clogged fissures and pore spaces
Clogged casing due to sediment build-up
A local well driller can diagnose the problem and suggest the most appropriate treatment method based on the specific issue to resolve it effectively.
Well rehabilitation methods
A well rehabilitation process uses chemical techniques or mechanical methods to dissolve the encrusting material and clear the clogs. Most instances require using a combination of both methods for thorough well rehabilitation. Professionals use chemicals to loosen or break down the deposits, then flush or pump them away safely using various physical techniques.
Mineral and organic acids, dispersants, and surfactants are commonly used to treat a well chemically. When applying chemical treatments, consider factors like aquifer type, well construction details, chemicals sequencing, and groundwater and treatment chemicals’ relative temperature.
Physical methods used for well rehabilitation method include:
High pressure jetting
Swabbing
Backwashing and surge pumping
Compressed air surging
Wire brushing
Static tank flush
Scraping
A basic well rehabilitation process includes:
Gathering relevant information
Video inspection
Pre-clean the well using a brush and other tools
Chemical treatment
Mechanical cleaning
Redevelopment to remove chemicals and other materials
Evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation with post-diagnostic treatments and compare the results with the pre-treatment stage.
Disinfect the wells
The benefits of a successful well rehabilitation process include:
Saving money on drilling a new well
Restoring well performance
Maximizing water flow
Increasing the pump’s life expectancy
Extending the well’s lifespan
Improving the water quality
A lower environmental impact than redrilling
Well rehabilitation is a more economical option to reclaim an existing well than drilling a new one. Contact a local well professional for rehabilitation if a private well shows signs of aging and wear and tear, fails to produce adequate water quantity, or has compromised water quality. Professionals can review all the available information and perform an inspection to determine if well rehabilitation is worth it. The cost of rehabilitating a well is 20% to 30% of the cost of replacing the current well and drilling a new one. Therefore, timely action is essential to save money and reduce hassles.
Fussell Well Drilling is a family-owned top-quality well drilling and water treatment company for residential and commercial properties in Polk County. Call us today (863) 984-3144
