Drilling large commercial and municipal wells in cramped quarters is not for everyone. In addition to limited square-footage, obstructions can include utilities, geography, trees and more. Traut Wells, based in Waite Park, Minn., deals with this regularly, often in metropolitan areas, where additional obstacles like busy roadways, pedestrian traffic and nearby developments are typical. David Traut, co-owner of the water well drilling business, has been an active groundwater professional since 1977. He says a lot of added planning and non-drilling responsibilities come with limited access sites, and he spoke about the topic at the National Ground Water Association’s (NGWA) 2015 Groundwater Expo in Las Vegas. National Driller interviewed Traut afterward on what goes into successfully completing a big well when space is tight. About half of the work Traut Wells does is municipal and the rest is residential, so he has a good sense of what makes largescale projects in tiny areas unique.
Our interview has been edited for space and clarity.