Water can have a primary influence on the success of any type of drilling. The efficiency and success of drilling projects can be easily determined by the water used. If you think about it, this makes sense, since water makes up 95 to 99 percent of the drilling fluid you are using.
My team and I spend a significant amount of time talking about water during our mud schools, and answering calls from drillers having difficulties. There are all kinds of water sources: hydrants, well waters, river water, lake water and even water from a ditch. I have certainly seen it all. Water quality can be affected by both dissolved solids (calcium, sodium, minerals/metals content) as well as by grit and sand content.