Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/543740
maintenance program. Periodic monitor- ing of samples to assess the overall min- eral and biological load within the well system will aid in identification of well fouling before it reaches severe levels. Early identification of fouling issues can not only reduce the operational downtime, but also increase the effective- ness of treatment and long-term well efficiency. Initiating well-specific pre- and post- shutdown monitoring and maintenance measures such as flushing, disinfection, and preventive chlorine dosage proce- dures may aid in improving the active lifespan of the well system and reducing operational costs. Before removing a well from regular seasonal rotational service, it should be thoroughly purged and disinfected. This procedure should be repeated prior to being returned to an active operating schedule. Disinfection should incorpo- rate a targeted treatment volume equiva- lent to three to four borehole volumes in an effort to flood the well. Use of a chlorine enhancing chem- istry to maximize hypochlorous acid during treatment is often encouraged, depending on the water chemistry. Monitoring of the chlorine concentra- tion is advised to maintain an effective treatment. During the pumping season, the well should be actively pumped to encourage the evacuation of any debris and detritus in the well and to discourage explosive bacterial regrowth. Any additional regu- lar pumping will most certainly benefit the health of the well. When designing wells that will be subjected to periods of inactive use, in- stallation of specific chemical treatment tubes and sample ports can be benefi- cial. Additionally, limiting the use of sumps or restricted flow areas within the well and incorporating corrosion- resistant materials is further advised. Wells are dynamic systems evolving and changing, even as they sit idle. Un- like regularly operating wells that con- tinually purge debris, conditions within idle wells tend to deteriorate over time. Most fouling within well systems occurs as a result of biological and mineral accumulations, usually involves some level of physical blockage, and is frequently a function of the operating schedule. Proactive planning goes beyond the active wellhead, and provisions for maintenance should be incorporated into long-term budgets. Integration of both active and inactive groundwater wells into larger maintenance and manage- ment plans will promote well efficiency, extend the operational life of the well system, and reduce operational costs over time. References California Department of Water Resources. Water Well Standards. www.water.ca.gov/groundwater/ well_info_and_other/california_well_ standards/wws/wws_combined_ sec20-22.html. Indiana Administrative Code. Water Well Drillers and Water Well Pump Installers. www.in.gov/legislative/ iac/T03120/A00130.PDF. Kansas Department of Health and Envi- ronment. 2013. Article 30 Water Well Contractor's License; Water Well Construction. KDHE: Topeka, Kansas. U.S. Geological Survey. 1998. USGS Circular 1139. http://pubs.usgs.gov/ circ/circ1139/pdf. WWJ DACUM Codes To help meet your professional needs, this article covers skills and competencies found in DACUM charts for drillers and pump installers. DO refers to the drilling chart and PI represents the pumps chart. The letter and number immediately following is the skill on the chart covered by the article. This article covers: DOB-1, DOB-2, DOF-1, DOF-2, DOF-5, DOG-6, DOG-9 More information on DACUM and the charts are available at www.NGWA.org. WWJ August 2015 27 Twitter @WaterWellJournl Kathleen Wiseman retired from Water Systems Engineering in Ottawa, Kansas, where she worked since 1999, serving as assistant lab manager of the diagnostic and investiga- tive research lab and then as an environmental consultant, specializing in well remediation and source water protection.