Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/573697
where obtaining saltwater is a distinct possibility. The advantage in treating water in these cases is the same disadvantage we experience due to low yield. When encoun- tering wells with low yield, the water filtration system must only need to treat the actual flow rate between the well and storage tank. At flow rates less than 5 GPM, treatment is almost always feasible and cost effective, except in cases of actual saltwater. The most likely water quality issues you will come across are iron, manganese, hardness, hydrogen sulfide, and possible brackish/saline water. All of these can generally be removed at a reasonable cost and technology. In any event, I strongly recommend you perform a water quality analysis on all low-producing wells before designing the system. Also when considering a water treatment system, always give regard to the backwash flow rate and frequency as these factors could greatly impact the available well pro- duction. If the test results indicate treatment is necessary, the system designer should incorporate this element into their de- sign. The need for a water treatment system might possibly place a few extra dollars in your pocket as well as also avoid an unhappy customer down the road. As this column is written for the Water Well Journal, I have limited my discussion strictly to groundwater and low- producing wells, but much of what I've discussed also applies to surface water systems as well. The key to all situations we might come up against in our business, such as droughts, is to recognize them as a potential source of new customers and business rather than something to avoid or ignore. Good design, making sure your customers know the limita- tions of their well and water system, and proper consideration and planning for all conceivable situations will not only pro- duce a satisfied customer but will very likely lead to further business. Especially when your happy customer shares his or her "drought" success story with friends and neighbors. Until next month, work safe and smart. WWJ Ed Butts, PE, CPI, is the chief engineer at 4B Engineering & Consulting, Salem, Oregon. He has more than 35 years experience in the water well business, specializing in engineering and business management. He can be reached at epbpe@juno.com. Learn How to Engineer Success for Your Business Engineering Your Business: A series of articles serving as a guide to the groundwater business is a compilation of works from long-time Water Well Journal columnist Ed Butts, PE, CPI. The hardback book features 37 complete "Engineering Your Business" columns and the figures and tables that originally ran with the articles. The columns cover the groundwater industry and are divided into six areas: contractor classroom, getting started, troubleshooting pumps, rehabilitation, business basics, and tricks of the trade. Visit NGWA's Online Bookstore at www.NGWA.org for more information. WWJ October 2015 55 Twitter @WaterWellJournl * " ( "( ! * $ ! ! ) + * , & ! + & " ) $ $ " + * + # , ) + / & ' + & , ' . ' $ $ ! * ) ' ' + ) ( * " " + & " * ) ( ) ' $ ( " " & , % ! + " * $ $ . ) + . ! ( ' + ' # * $ * $ & + * "* ' ! * 0 )0 ! + $ " ! & " $ & ' & * $ & + * "* ' ! $ & " * # - & " . & " $ $ , ) 0 ! ! + ! + " . & " % ' $ ' ' + * # % ) & & " ( * ' ) 0 * & + * & " $ & ! & ' " + % ) ' & " $ & ' " + " ) ' ) ! + ' & ! + + " * . ) , ' + " * "* - * +* , ' ) ( 3 2 . 0 8 5 E N O H P · 3 0 7 3 7 A S U , A M O H A L K O , D I N E · N E R U B N A V H T U O S 5 1 2 2 ' 1 4 1 4 . 4 3 · * , # " $ ) ' % ' ' . . . * + ( , ) ' ' # ' ' & * ' + ' ! ( + , ' ) ( &