drilling a water well in nevada

2023-06-29

A water well is a hole dug or bored in the earth to access elusive groundwater that might be stored in underground aquifers. Initially created for the collection of drinking water and irrigation, these wells are also deployed to watch water levels, draw samples for studies, and safely discharge unwanted liquid.

In Nevada, the variety of water sources is quite diverse. From the valleys below come the alluvial aquifers, filled with a mix of gravel, sand, and silt. Within the mountains lie bedrock aquifers, comprised solely of bedrock. Meanwhile, in desert basins, one can find playa lakes crafted out of evaporite minerals.

Obtaining a permit from the Nevada Division of Water Resources must be the start of any water well-boring work. The application should include the coordinates for the drilling spot, the desired depth, and the purpose for the well.

Once you’ve got the go-ahead, you can proceed to drilling the well. This is achieved via a well drilling rig, powered by a device that rotates a drill string. This drill string is a composite of drill pipe and heavy drill collars. The former is responsible for stimulating movement of the bit downwards and boosts circulation of fluid (either water, mud or air) if required. The latter adds heft to the drill string for an uninterrupted operation.

Depending on the type of geological formation, various tools are employed for drilling. Jet bits are best suited for soft-soil aquifers, rotary bits are essential for burrowing into hard bedrock, and core bits are relied upon to access playa lakes.

Drawing up the water from within the well requires a pump, powered by either an electric motor or a gasoline engine which propels it to the surface.

After all other preparations have been complete, a robust casing must be installed in the well. This casing is built with steel, plastic, or concrete pipes and serves to stop the entire structure from caving in while also keeping out silt and any debris from the surface. Without it, the well is vulnerable to collapsing and becoming contaminated.

Acquiring the necessary tools and permits makes drilling a water well in Nevada a relatively straightforward adventure. Despite its complexities, such an undertaking is necessary if one wishes to access underground reservoirs of H2O.