The National Ground Water Association released guidelines for dealing with methane, one of many potential water well problems for residential systems. NGWA’s newest best suggested practice (BSP) document aims to help water well drilling professionals and others in the groundwater industry. It may also prove valuable to well owners, though the group urges professional assistance with methane issues due to health and safety concerns.
In my last several columns, I have written about selecting the proper openings for a water well screen and some popular installation methods. One thing we must do, however, before installing the screen is equip it with the proper fittings. Screens purchased from a manufacturer or supply house are not going to work as is (with a couple of exceptions).
About 15 years ago, I was contracted to be the qualifier for a prospective Colorado well drilling company. Once licensed, I would have been acting president of the drilling company until the owners could qualify to get their own license.
Many of the ideas for my column are inspired by questions I get from readers and friends in the industry. A few weeks ago, someone asked how to wire in a pressure switch with a pump protection device that required a control relay. The pump protector’s internal relay was rated at 10 amps, sufficient for a 1 horsepower, 230 volt pump but not enough to handle his 3 horsepower pump motor directly, so an additional relay was called for.
Two recent stories brought the rights of well drillers and well owners into stark relief.
What is the responsibility of the well drilling and water systems professions to the environment? Where do the rights of one homeowner begin and end, particularly in a time of water scarcity?
Lots of people talk. Few people act. Oregon State University Professor Michael Campana easily fits into the latter group. The Driller spoke with Campana about his “H20 Talk” at this month’s National Ground Water Association 2013 Groundwater Expo in Nashville, Tenn. His talk, “Hydrophilanthropy: What can you do?,” discusses his efforts bringing water systems to those in need in Central America, and what groundwater professionals can do to make a difference.
RSS
