can drilling a water well create fissures

2023-06-21

A cornerstone of humanity’s water supply, wells must be drilled with extreme caution as they can lead to geological disruptions that ultimately contaminate the water and damage the local ecosystem. These fissures in the bedrock caused by the drilling can cause a myriad of potentially hazardous consequences.

A fissure is a cleft or break in the surface of rock – these fractures can be anything from miniscule to immense in their dimensions. Fissures occur through various causes, such as the movement of tectonic plates, the erosion of the environment, or due to human influences.

By introducing pressure using a steady drill-bit, cracks can be formed and propagated in the stone. This penetration triggers fractures that, when met with enough tension, can expand to form a more considerable fissure. As a result, drilling is frequently employed in order to create these physical disruptions.

Hydraulic fracturing, more commonly referred to as “fracking,” is a method used to take advantage of oil and gas that is trapped deep inside shale formations. This process sees a high-pressure liquid injected into the rock, which fractures it and clears the way for extraction.

Fissures pose a hazard to water wells – contaminants in the bedrock, such as arsenic or radon, can travel through these pathways and pollute the water supply. Thus, it is incredibly important to make sure that any existing fissures are identified and sealed to protect the well’s contents from hazardous material.

The presence of fissures offers bacteria and other microorganisms an open door to infiltrate the water. If the crack is attached to an aquifer, it creates a convenient passageway for said microbes to access the H20.

Fissures can be the source of alarmingly reduced water levels in wells. This happens when the natural fracture creates a path for water to flow away from the aquifer, or when it interrupts the normal route that water would usually take towards the well.

Fissures may initially sound advantageous when it comes to groundwater recharge, but they can actually lead to dangerous consequences. If the fissure is linked to an aquifer, it can permit water to replenish the aquifer at a much brisker rate than usual, which can ultimately cause a depletion of the groundwater.

Fissures can be a source of trouble when it comes to managing both surface and groundwater resources. If these geological cracks are not carefully considered, pollutants may seep into the water, the water table can plummet, and sources of groundwater can dry up. Thus, before drilling a water well, it is critical to weigh up the possible effects of fissures.