The Hole Report: Refurbishment of Public Water Supply Borehole using Borestorer® Impulse Jetting Technology

Drilcorp was recently contacted by a long-standing client with a number of public water supply boreholes. One of their wellfields was close to full capacity during the tourist holiday season but had a problem with one of its water supply boreholes. This particular borehole had regularly experienced problems with turbidity but, more recently, had developed yield problems and was in danger of complete failure.

At the time Drilcorp was contacted, the spring holidays were rapidly approaching and our client was fearful of not being able to meet demand. They needed urgent help.

At this point, they contacted Mike Bushby, contract manager of BES, Drilcorp’s engineering division for assistance to refurbish the borehole. With little time available, Mike and our team of engineers were mobilised to site along with our Borestorer® to rectify the problem.

The Borestorer® unit has a high-pressure jetting tool, which is lowered into a borehole using a computer-controlled winch. Once activated, it rapidly rotates and sends shock impulses of clean water through the wellscreen and deep into the filter material and borehole wall. This loosens any encrustation and clogged silt debris that has formed over time and restricted the flow of groundwater into the borehole. Loosened material is then removed from the borehole using an airlift eductor, submersible pump or a combination of both until clean water is being produced by the borehole.

Our sequence of works on this project was as follows:

 

1. To carry out a short ‘pre-refurbishment’ pumping trial to ascertain the existing yield from the borehole.
   The yield was recorded and turbidity was visible when stopping and starting the submersible pump.
2. To carry out a CCTV survey to recover a video of the borehole condition before refurbishment.
   The screens were observed to be clogged with silt and mineral encrustation built up over the lifespan of the borehole. It was not possible to see any filter material behind the screen.
3. Run the Borestorer® throughout the length of the borehole.
   This was carried out with the pressure pre-programmed to suit the diameter and screen properties.
4. Develop the borehole using airlift and pumping methods.
   The jetting operation had released a large quantity of silt from behind the filter material and development took much longer than was planned in the programme. It quickly became evident that the borehole, which was situated close to a river was drawing fine silt and probably had not been developed properly when constructed.The Client confirmed that turbidity issues had been a constant problem on this borehole. Our engineering team continued with the development, repeatedly inducing agitation into the borehole and then removing the resulting silt. Eventually the borehole started cleaning up and turbidity levels reduced while yield increased.
5. Carry out post refurbishment CCTV survey.
   This showed that the screen was now clean ‘as new’. The slots were all clear of debris and filter material could be seen clearly behind the slots.
   
6. Re-install Clients pumping equipment, test pump the borehole and put back into service.
   The pumping equipment had been pressure washed, tested, and disinfected while refurbishment was being carried out. The pumped water was initially run to waste while samples were taken and tested.

 

The results were excellent. Turbidity was found to be well within the acceptance guidelines, and yield had significantly improved. The borehole was put back into service just before the holidaymakers arrived and a sigh of relief was breathed by all.

Our client, who had previously thought that the borehole may need to be permanently decommissioned, was delighted with the result. Although the development work took a little longer than anticipated, the positive result served to strengthen our relationship with the client and out Borehole Engineering Services team are now being considered for future borehole refurbishment projects.

To find out more about the cleaning and remediation services provided by Drilcorp, please get in touch via info@drilcorp.com or by calling 0191 527 3970.

 

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