WE’RE A FULL SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT FOR ALL OF YOUR WATER NEEDS!
Residential Water Well Drilling
Screen Wells
Gravel Wells
Bedrock Wells
Commercial Water Well Drilling
Large Diameter Wells
Screen Wells
Natural and Gravel Packed
Bedrock Wells
Pump Installation and Repairs
Residential, Commercial and Municipal Systems
Pump Testing
Residential Flow Tests
Electronic Data Logging
Water Treatment
Sales, Installation, and Service
Water Storage Systems
In the Basement or Underground
Well Rehabilitation
Down the Hole Video Investigation
Hydraulic Development (Hydro-Development) for Low Producing Bedrock Wells
Fracture Trace Analysis
Geologic Well Siting for Tough Water Areas
Geothermal
Open Loop and Closed Loop Systems
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Systems
Water to Air
Water to Water
Serving:
Saratoga, Fulton, Montgomery, Hamilton, Herkimer, Oneida, Washington, Clinton, Essex, Rensselaer, Albany, Colombia, Greene, Schoharie Counties
Saratoga, Fulton, Montgomery, Hamilton, Herkimer, Oneida, Washington, Clinton, Essex, Rensselaer, Albany, Colombia, Greene, Schoharie Counties
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OUR EXPERIENCE IS OUR GUARANTEE
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What You Should Know About Wells
Well drilling is a very specialized skill. The driller must be knowledgeable in hydrology, geology, hydraulics of wells, well construction techniques, drilling methods, geophysical instrumentation, mathematical modeling, and knowledge of transportation of chemicals as well as local and state building, electrical and plumbing codes.
Before you buy a piece of property or a new home, EDUCATE yourself thoroughly about your most valuable investment: your water. Ask yourself the following questions:
Well drilling is a very specialized skill. The driller must be knowledgeable in hydrology, geology, hydraulics of wells, well construction techniques, drilling methods, geophysical instrumentation, mathematical modeling, and knowledge of transportation of chemicals as well as local and state building, electrical and plumbing codes.
Before you buy a piece of property or a new home, EDUCATE yourself thoroughly about your most valuable investment: your water. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What type of formation will my well be drilled in? Where will the water come from? Water is found in sand, Gravel or bedrock formations.
- How much casing will be installed in my well? Will the casing be grouted? The casing keeps the hole open in unconsolidated formations. Sufficient casing, grouting and a drive shoe protects your water against surface contaminants.
- What type of pump will be installed in my well? You will have either a submersible pump located in the bottom of your drilled well or a jet pump on your water supply generally located in the basement.
- How will my house be pressurized? The tank located in your basement allows your pump run time and has a pressure switch which tells the pump when to come on and shut off so you always have water.
- What is the general water quality in the area? Ground water contains varying amounts of naturally occurring chemicals and compounds (e.g.. hydrogen sulfide and calcium carbonate).
- How much water can I reasonably expect? Water flow is determined in gallons per minute. Before drilling, know how much water you will need for your household.
Water Quantity and Quality ...
No one can guarantee how much water you are going to get or the quality of that water. Be wary of individuals making promises. Well drilling is a science and the results depend on the geology and skill of the driller constructing your well. Every well is different, even two wells that are side by side may not be exactly the same.
Knowledge and communication are key to a positive drilling experience. You, the homeowner, are an important team member when your well is being drilled. You need to be available to make decisions based on information and recommendations made to you by your driller.
No one can guarantee how much water you are going to get or the quality of that water. Be wary of individuals making promises. Well drilling is a science and the results depend on the geology and skill of the driller constructing your well. Every well is different, even two wells that are side by side may not be exactly the same.
Knowledge and communication are key to a positive drilling experience. You, the homeowner, are an important team member when your well is being drilled. You need to be available to make decisions based on information and recommendations made to you by your driller.
Types of Wells ...
Shallow and deep well points and screen wells:
Careful documentation of geologic conditions, proper collection of samples of the sand and gravel material and a sieve analysis are the key to success for these types of wells. A hole is augered or casing is driven down to the water bearing material and sand samples are collected. A sieve analysis is performed on the material and the results are recorded on a curve. The sand is matched to a specific slot size stainless steel point or well screen. Proper sizing and development of the point or well is critical to their success. You should not have sand in your water! Our screen wells are constructed with rotary hammer rigs and are developed with air.
Bedrock Wells:
Casing is installed a minimum of 20’ and set into the competent bedrock. These wells are constructed using our two rotary hammer rigs. These rigs are an updated version of the cable tool style of drilling. An air driven hammer is used instead of a weighted bit on a cable. The break is often cleaner and this type of machinery has the capability of getting water in formations that a cable tool style rig cannot. The hammer is cooled and the well is cleaned with water which is air lifted out of the hole during drilling. If you are on the job site when we drill you can see when the driller encounters the water.
Shallow and deep well points and screen wells:
Careful documentation of geologic conditions, proper collection of samples of the sand and gravel material and a sieve analysis are the key to success for these types of wells. A hole is augered or casing is driven down to the water bearing material and sand samples are collected. A sieve analysis is performed on the material and the results are recorded on a curve. The sand is matched to a specific slot size stainless steel point or well screen. Proper sizing and development of the point or well is critical to their success. You should not have sand in your water! Our screen wells are constructed with rotary hammer rigs and are developed with air.
Bedrock Wells:
Casing is installed a minimum of 20’ and set into the competent bedrock. These wells are constructed using our two rotary hammer rigs. These rigs are an updated version of the cable tool style of drilling. An air driven hammer is used instead of a weighted bit on a cable. The break is often cleaner and this type of machinery has the capability of getting water in formations that a cable tool style rig cannot. The hammer is cooled and the well is cleaned with water which is air lifted out of the hole during drilling. If you are on the job site when we drill you can see when the driller encounters the water.
Water Treatment...
We offer treatment systems for most water problems commonly found in our area such as:
·Iron
·Hardness
Manganese
·Sulfur
·Methane
·Turbidity
·Colloidal Clay
·Bacteria
·Ph
·High TDS
·Low producing wells
We can install the following systems or combination of systems on Private well supplies, Municipal, or commercial applications even those requiring DOH approval:
·Chemical free iron filter
·Aeration
·Water softening
·Carbon filtration
·Chlorination injection systems
Storage Systems
Ultra Filtration
·Coagulant injection systems
·Acid injection systems
·Neutralizing filters
·Reverse osmosis
·Cartridge filters
·Sand separators
·Ultra violet lights
We offer free water testing for:
Iron, Hardness, Ph, Manganese, TDS, and Sulfur
Sampling for Coliform, Ecoli, and many other contaminants are available
We offer treatment systems for most water problems commonly found in our area such as:
·Iron
·Hardness
Manganese
·Sulfur
·Methane
·Turbidity
·Colloidal Clay
·Bacteria
·Ph
·High TDS
·Low producing wells
We can install the following systems or combination of systems on Private well supplies, Municipal, or commercial applications even those requiring DOH approval:
·Chemical free iron filter
·Aeration
·Water softening
·Carbon filtration
·Chlorination injection systems
Storage Systems
Ultra Filtration
·Coagulant injection systems
·Acid injection systems
·Neutralizing filters
·Reverse osmosis
·Cartridge filters
·Sand separators
·Ultra violet lights
We offer free water testing for:
Iron, Hardness, Ph, Manganese, TDS, and Sulfur
Sampling for Coliform, Ecoli, and many other contaminants are available
Well Rehabilitaion...
Down the Hole Video Investigation:
Video investigation is a useful tool for problem wells that have either lost production or have had sudden water quality changes (e.g. sporadic discolored water or sand pumpage). Video investigation give you a real time view of the inside of the well.
Hydraulic Development of Low Producing Water Wells:
Hydraulic Development Vs. Hydraulic Fracturing:
Hydraulic Development a.k.a as Hydro-Development should not be confused with High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (H.V.H.F) from the oil and gas industry. While both are similar in theory they differ in application. H.V.H.F uses extremely high pressures, volumes of water, surfactants and proppants of actually make fractures in the ground and hold them open. Hydraulic development uses Well Water to clean and develop existing fractures in the well that may be plugged up with mineral, clay or biologicals. For more information on High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing visit Drillingformulas.com Fan Page for a video on the Hydraulic Fracturing process.
Hydraulic Development Vs. Hydraulic Fracturing:
Hydraulic Development a.k.a as Hydro-Development should not be confused with High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing (H.V.H.F) from the oil and gas industry. While both are similar in theory they differ in application. H.V.H.F uses extremely high pressures, volumes of water, surfactants and proppants of actually make fractures in the ground and hold them open. Hydraulic development uses Well Water to clean and develop existing fractures in the well that may be plugged up with mineral, clay or biologicals. For more information on High Volume Hydraulic Fracturing visit Drillingformulas.com Fan Page for a video on the Hydraulic Fracturing process.
Hydraulic Development Process:
The Hydraulic Development process uses Well Water to clean and develop existing fractures in the well. The fracture system in the bedrock can be thought of like the arteries and veins in your body. Sometimes you hit an extremely large fracture that produces large amounts of water (your femoral artery) and sometimes you hit a very small fracture that produces very little water (your vein) all within the same fracture system. Sometimes those fractures are plugged with minerals, clay and biological materials (Plaque and Cholesterol in your veins). This is where hydraulic development comes in...
The Hydraulic Development process uses Well Water to clean and develop existing fractures in the well. The fracture system in the bedrock can be thought of like the arteries and veins in your body. Sometimes you hit an extremely large fracture that produces large amounts of water (your femoral artery) and sometimes you hit a very small fracture that produces very little water (your vein) all within the same fracture system. Sometimes those fractures are plugged with minerals, clay and biological materials (Plaque and Cholesterol in your veins). This is where hydraulic development comes in...
How its done:
1. The Set.
An inflatable packer (large Balloon) Is lowered into the well and out the end of the casing. Once inflated Well Water is pumped through the center of the packer at a rate of up to 100 gallons per minute (gpm) and up to 2000 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. Because fluid is incompressable the development water will over pressure the formation and start leaving the well through the existing plugged fractures. As the water leaves the well at the high rate it will clean the fractures breaking up mineral and washing out clay and biological material. When this happens the water pressure will begin to drop indicating the fractures are being cleaned. The technicians will monitor the down hole pressure and determine when pressures are low enough to stop pumping.
An inflatable packer (large Balloon) Is lowered into the well and out the end of the casing. Once inflated Well Water is pumped through the center of the packer at a rate of up to 100 gallons per minute (gpm) and up to 2000 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure. Because fluid is incompressable the development water will over pressure the formation and start leaving the well through the existing plugged fractures. As the water leaves the well at the high rate it will clean the fractures breaking up mineral and washing out clay and biological material. When this happens the water pressure will begin to drop indicating the fractures are being cleaned. The technicians will monitor the down hole pressure and determine when pressures are low enough to stop pumping.
2. The Return.
Once the technicians determine pressures are low enough to cease pumping. The pump is shut down and water begins to "return" to the well. This happens because the development process has over pressurized the surrounding formation. Once the pumping has ceased the down hole pressure drops lower than the formation pressure allowing the water to return to the well carrying with it the loosened mineral and sediment. The amount of Return give the technician indicators (while not definite) of how the development went. Generally, but not always the less return the better the production success because the surrounding fracture network has absorbed most of the development water.
Quartz, Calcite, silt and Clay that was developed back out of the fracture zone. |
Technician Monitoring "Return" back through the packer. |
3. Try for more Sets!!!
Depending on results of the first set technicians will attempt to reset the packer at more locations in the well to develop as many zones as they feel possible (This depends on the amount of water available).
4. Pump the Junk!
Once the technicians have exhausted all the trucked in development water the hydraulic development process is complete. At this time the pump will either be put back in the well or it will be tested by air lift with the drilling machine. Both processes begin to remove the development water from the fracture system along with all of the loosened materials that were developed out of the zones. After all development water has been removed an accurate yield can be calculated (Note on a development of an existing well the pump will be reset in the well and the pump will be left running under supervision of the homeowner. Additional yield tests can be scheduled.)
Once the technicians have exhausted all the trucked in development water the hydraulic development process is complete. At this time the pump will either be put back in the well or it will be tested by air lift with the drilling machine. Both processes begin to remove the development water from the fracture system along with all of the loosened materials that were developed out of the zones. After all development water has been removed an accurate yield can be calculated (Note on a development of an existing well the pump will be reset in the well and the pump will be left running under supervision of the homeowner. Additional yield tests can be scheduled.)
What to Expect During and after Hydraulic Development Process:
As stated above the fracture system in the ground is a connected network that we are attempting to clean. Due to the large volumes of water that are pumped into the network it is possible to disturb or dirty neighboring wells. If this happens you are not "Stealing" a neighbors water the development process is just cleaning the fracture network between the wells. In most cases this can actually help neighboring wells, though this is an inconvenience and not aesthetically pleasing. Simply pumping on the wells should clean them back up and help clean the network. It is recommended you talk to your neighbors before the hydraulic development process occurs.
As stated above the fracture system in the ground is a connected network that we are attempting to clean. Due to the large volumes of water that are pumped into the network it is possible to disturb or dirty neighboring wells. If this happens you are not "Stealing" a neighbors water the development process is just cleaning the fracture network between the wells. In most cases this can actually help neighboring wells, though this is an inconvenience and not aesthetically pleasing. Simply pumping on the wells should clean them back up and help clean the network. It is recommended you talk to your neighbors before the hydraulic development process occurs.
Fracture Trace Analysis...
Fracture Trace analysis is a proven method used by Hydro-geologists for locating the most viable location to drill a well on your property. Fracture trace is typically done in the extremely tough water areas with a high success rate. When doing fracture trace the well site is not first sited with reference to your property but regionally. Fractures and linear features are mapped from afar over the entire well site region. Various data sets and images are consulted to locate fracture systems. A site visit is then done and minor features are mapped with G.P.S. and overlaid with the regional features. Cross-points of these features (if any) are located or points on the fracture lines are then picked and wells are sited by G.P.S. on or as close to the proximity of these points. While There is no guarantee of Quantity or quality of water this process locates the most viable place to drill often eliminating the need to drill multiple wells to find adequate water.
For more information on Fracture Trace Click Here
Mapped fractures in Ballston Spa for a replacement well. Surrounding homes drilled multiple wells and have in house storage. Well location yielded 5 gallons per minute less than 200 ft deep.
For more information on Fracture Trace Click Here
Mapped fractures in Ballston Spa for a replacement well. Surrounding homes drilled multiple wells and have in house storage. Well location yielded 5 gallons per minute less than 200 ft deep.
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20gpm well on the Waters rd. in Glenville. Fifth well on the property produced with Fracture Trace!
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25gpm well for a Trailer park with 2 dry wells and one 650ft low producer. Fracture trace mapped a zone just south of the property. We encountered the fracture at 500ft!
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Geothermal Systems...
About:
Geothermal Heating and Cooling systems are an efficient, Green way to condition your home. Geothermal or Ground-source Heat Pumps (GSHP) are nothing new, the technology has been around for 40 years but has gained steam in the last 15 years with advancements in the technology. Geothermal systems are quite simple... in a nut shell they heat and cool the home using stored solar energy in the ground.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling systems are an efficient, Green way to condition your home. Geothermal or Ground-source Heat Pumps (GSHP) are nothing new, the technology has been around for 40 years but has gained steam in the last 15 years with advancements in the technology. Geothermal systems are quite simple... in a nut shell they heat and cool the home using stored solar energy in the ground.
Here is how it Works...
During the heating season heat energy (average 45-50 degrees) is transported into the home via water or and antifreeze solution and into the heat pump. The heat is then compressed via refrigerant and a compressor where the temperature is raised to over 100 degrees and either blown across a fan coil for forced air or stored in a buffer tank for radiant systems. This heat is then delivered to the home through the duct work or circulator pumps
When its time for Cooling Season the system simply reverses its flow via a reversing valve in the GSHP. Hot return air from the home is then blown across a very cold fan-coil and it warms the refrigerant which is then cooled back down by the water or antifreeze loop essentially dumping the heat from the home into the cool ground (still and average 45-50 degrees).
For more information on Geothermal Systems please visit IGSPA and Geothermal Exchange Organization
During the heating season heat energy (average 45-50 degrees) is transported into the home via water or and antifreeze solution and into the heat pump. The heat is then compressed via refrigerant and a compressor where the temperature is raised to over 100 degrees and either blown across a fan coil for forced air or stored in a buffer tank for radiant systems. This heat is then delivered to the home through the duct work or circulator pumps
When its time for Cooling Season the system simply reverses its flow via a reversing valve in the GSHP. Hot return air from the home is then blown across a very cold fan-coil and it warms the refrigerant which is then cooled back down by the water or antifreeze loop essentially dumping the heat from the home into the cool ground (still and average 45-50 degrees).
For more information on Geothermal Systems please visit IGSPA and Geothermal Exchange Organization