water well borehole drilling rig

2023-07-04

Digging, driving, or drilling deep into the ground can uncover the hidden riches of aquifers containing the precious resource known as groundwater. The water can be extracted using an electric submersible pump, a jet pump, a centrifugal pump, and/or a handpump – making it accessible from water wells.

Water well drilling rigs, utilized to draw water from aquifers, appear in a variety of forms. On the market today, these machines can be classified by the drilling technique employed, power source powering them, and depth to which they are equipped to burrow. Specifically, the most common sort is the cable tool rig which perforates rock using a hammer-like motion allowing mineral-rich aquifer water to flow through.

To locate an aquifer, a hydrologist is consulted. After the aquifer’s location has been pinpointed, the selection process for the drilling rig begins. Factors like the aquifer’s depth, as well as the type of geography, are taken into account when choosing the most suitable equipment.

Setting up the rig once the selection has been made is a relaxed affair. The immediate area around the rig must be cleared to make room for the installation process, before levelling out the chosen structure. A water source in the form of a truck or tank is then connected to the new rig, signalling that the drilling can begin in earnest.

The actual drilling method is quite straightforward. A drill bit is sunk into the cavity, after which the motor starts up. This causes the bit to spin, and as it moves it slices through the rock making a path larger and larger in size. The process continues as the hole deepens.

Once sufficient excavation is achieved, a long pipe called a casing is put in place. This casing serves to secure the walls and perimeter of the opening, staying vigilant in its duty to ward off any external pressure that could jeopardize the structure. It also acts as a shield, barring any outside liquid from uninvitedly infiltrating the area.

Sinking in the casing sets the stage for further drilling. The process is ventured forward with the hopeful aim to reach the water table – a threshold of subsurface saturation. When the drill bit ultimately breaches through this level, progress must be paused and the pump primed to action.

The aquifer is breached by the pump, allowing its precious water to be pulled from its depths. This liquid is then delivered to the surface with the use of a well, prepared for usage as drinking water, irrigation, or whatever else one may require.

A diversity of water well drilling rigs exist, ranging from petite portable models suitable for shallow probes to larger, robust rigs needed for deeper bores.

Whatever hardware is employed, the main purpose of water well drilling is to penetrate the water table and draw up the below-ground moisture to the upper environment.