Water Well Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/752472
ing adjacent wells has happened but such problems are re- duced with the decades of experience. You also don't have acre-sized ponds, pumper banks, or any of that. As noted in the manual, states have regulations for water well hydrofrac- turing, which they also do for HVHP hydraulic fracturing. WWJ: Lastly, what do you think are the critical issues facing water well hydrofracturing today? Allen: Hopefully the hysteria over oil field hydrofracturing doesn't induce state legislators to impose some draconian reg- ulations on it that it doesn't deserve. If it must be regulated, keep it in the hands of the agencies overseeing public water supplies who may have an understanding of the potable water well industry. Stuart: Echoing Allen, contractors help themselves to avoid those issues by keeping it clean and knowing how local rock behaves, avoid careless risks, keep their equipment in good repair, and work safely, the usual advice. Actually, I expect this manual to be read more by consult- ants and regulators. The contractors get it. If you are judging water well hydrofracturing, learn it well vs. working from preconceptions. As you know, I work internationally, and many places in the world where borehole water supplies are being developed for the first time are in crystalline rock terrains. Water well HF can be a powerful addition to the toolbox, improving on results with rig airlift alone. As contractors there add the service, training has to go along. This will require our American suppliers working in a variety of cultural settings and languages. One common theme is a relatively more casual view of risk in many parts of the world, and that can be lethal with these high pressures. So no "taking the foot off the accelerator" on safety. Always the adventure! Get the Just-Published Book on Hydrofracturing of Water Wells The book, An Introduction to Water Well Hydrofracturing: A Form of Well Development and Cleaning, was just published by NGWA Press. Authors Allen E. Comeskey, CPG, and Stuart A. Smith, CGWP, have updated the book that came out when hydro- fracturing of water wells was just gaining momentum. This new version goes over methods once again as well as using it for large-scale public water supplies, state regulations, and safety and sanitation. Get more information and order at www.NGWA.org. An Introduction to Water Well Hydrofracturing: A Form of Well Development and Cleaning Second Edition Allen E. Comeskey and Stuart A. Smith The Groundwater NGWA Association SM Press WWJ Thad Plumley is the editor of WWJ and director of infor- mation products at the National Ground Water Associa- tion. He can be reached at tplumley@ngwa.org and on Twitter @WaterWellJournl. Twitter @WaterWellJournl WWJ December 2016 29 Speak up for groundwater! With a new administration and a new Congress in Washington, don't miss this critical opportunity to demonstrate to decision-makers the value of groundwater as a resource and as an industry. Join fellow groundwater leaders in Washington and use your voice to inuence policy and inform decisions. 2017 NGWA Groundwater Fly-In March 7-8 • Washington, D.C. NGWA.org/FlyIn The Groundwater NGWA Association SM