May 2014 by David Evener

Check out the 2014 Pumps Directory, page 27

May 2014

Saving the Life of Your Pump Get tips to prolong pumps in drought areas, page 20

Also: Troubleshoot VFDs, page 23

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MAY 2014 VOL. 68, NO. 5

Featured ARTICLES 20 Saving the Life of Your Pump By Lana Straub

There are methods to prolong pump life for systems in drought-stricken areas. 23 Variable Frequency Drives By Jennifer Strawn

Make sure you know how to troubleshoot common system problems. 27 2014 Pumps Directory Get everything you need about the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pump manufacturers and their products. 40 Field Notes By Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG

Understanding driller geology.

About the cover: The focus of this issue is pumping systems. Check out the 2014 buyers guide on page 27 as well as feature stories on pages 20 and 23.

2 äĄ˛ May 2014 WWJ

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Featured COLUMNISTS 46 Safety Matters By Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP

Machine Shop Safety Serious accidents can happen in your shop, so make sure you have a safety program in place.

48 People at Work 23

WWJ DEPARTMENTS 4 First Up Take a Sample 6 Editor’s Note Drive Home the Right Information 8 In This Issue 10 Your Feedback 12 Industry Newsline Ball State University’s conversion to geothermal continues 18 The Log Groundwater Awareness Week Grows in 16th Year 19 Web Notes Deadline for Groundwater Expo call for submissions nears 66 Coming Events 67 Newsmakers Southwire president and CEO earns national award 68 Featured Products 72 Index of Advertisers 74 Regional Marketplace 75 Classified Marketplace

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

By Alexandra Walsh

Avoiding Age Discrimination in the Workplace Make sure your company is following all the rules for older workers.

50 Engineering Your Business By Ed Butts, PE, CPI

Working—and Having Fun—with Test Meters The important tool has changed dramatically over the years.

56 The After Market By Ron Slee

Future Jobs How will you stay in business without talented people in it?

58 ACT Like a Sales Pro By Julie Hansen

Progress Check Are you on track to hit your goals?

60 The Water Works By Ed Butts, PE, CPI

Engineering of Water Systems Part 11(c)—The Source: The Well, Part 3 The views expressed in the columns are the authors’ opinions based on their professional experience.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 3

First UP

TAKE A SAMPLE

contractor in Texas logs a borehole sample. Find out the importance of good well logs and things to look and listen for at the jobsite to help you write better logs in the feature story “Understanding Driller Geology” by Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG, on page 40. Photo submitted by Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG

First Up is a page of Water Well Journal that showcases—you! Please send in photos and brief descriptions and you just may be “first up” in an issue of WWJ! And remember, if your photo is selected for the cover of WWJ, you’ll receive $250. If your photos are selected, you will be asked to fill out a photo disclaimer form that grants the National Ground Water Association the royalty-free right to display the photos. Please send high resolution digital photos to tplumley@ngwa.org.

4 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

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Editor’s NOTE

DRIVE HOME THE RIGHT INFORMATION

here was no question where I was when driving on a recent vacation. Among the billboards I passed were those promoting the merits of natural gas, companies wanting to “purchase your land and mineral rights,” and attorneys willing to help families make such tough decisions. If the barrage of signs didn’t give it away, the rigs zooming by on the highway or the huge well-lit drilling platforms off to the side of the road let me know. I was in hydraulic fracturing country. You have read and watched the stories about hydraulic fracturing. If you live in some parts of the country—for example, the swatch of land in Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania I was trekking—you probably grew tired of the stories long ago. The subject puts a checkmark by all of the items for newsworthy buzz. It discusses energy, climate, innovation, jobs, money, and politics. Yep, it’s easy to see why one doesn’t have to hit the remote too many times to hear the talking heads on cable news spouting off on hydraulic fracturing. I’m not here to offer yet another Check out the National Ground opinion. What can I add that the talking Water Association’s position heads haven’t said thousands of times? I just want to point out my drive paper on hydraulic fracturing at through hydraulic fracturing country www.ngwa.org/Advocacy-Awarewas not through hydrofracking country. This is critical. Some of your potenness/positions/Pages/default.aspx. tial customers may see your rig and ask you about hydraulic fracturing or hydrofracking. After hearing the never-ending debates on television, some of these customers have certainly formed extremely strong opinions. You need to know how to respond—new business could depend on it. It’s important to point out: • Some of TV’s loudest talking heads use the terms interchangeably. Tell the person you’re speaking with, as incredible as it may seem, the newscaster is wrong. • Let them know hydraulic fracturing is a method for oil and gas recovery where a combination of fluids are injected under high pressures to create fractures that extend from the borehole hundreds of feet into surrounding rock formations. • Explain these fractures are kept open with a proppant like grains of sand or other substances so the oil and gas can flow into the well. • Point out that hydrofracking is a completely different process for water wells by which water is injected into a well with volume and pressure sufficient enough to remove built-up debris in the existing fractures found in the rock formation. Eventually, it makes the fractures larger, allowing more water to flow into the well. Close by explaining water well contractors have fracked for years as it is the best way to install well systems in some hard-rock regions of the country. It’s crucial your customers know what you and your fellow contractors do. Information is powerful, but misinformation can be even stronger.

Thad Plumley is the editor of WWJ and director of information products at the National Ground Water Association. He can be reached at tplumley@ngwa.org and on Twitter @WaterWellJournl.

6 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Advancing the expertise of groundwater professionals and furthering groundwater awareness.

Chief Executive Officer Kevin McCray, CAE kmccray@ngwa.org NGWA President Griffin Crosby Jr., CWD/PI Director of Information Products/Editor Thad Plumley tplumley@ngwa.org

Water Well Journal Editorial Review Board Art Becker, MGWC, CPG; Tom Christopherson; Don Harvard; Dan Milan; Roger Renner, MGWC; John Schnieders, Ph.D., and Robert Sterrett, Ph.D. Senior Editor Mike Price

mprice@ngwa.org

Copyeditor Wayne Beatty

wbeatty@ngwa.org

Production and Design Janelle McClary jmcclary@ngwa.org Advertising Shelby Fleck Vickie Crosby

sfleck@ngwa.org vcrosby@ngwa.org

Circulation Coordinator Katie Neer kneer@ngwa.org Contributing Writers Ed Butts, PE, CPI; Donald W. Gregory; William J. Lynott; Julie Hansen; Christine Reimer; Al Rickard, CAE; Ron Slee; Lana Straub; Jennifer Strawn; and Alexandra Walsh Editorial, Advertising, & Publishing Offices 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081 (800) 551-7379 Fax: (614) 898-7786 Selected content from Water Well Journal is indexed on Ground Water On-Line™ at www.NGWA.org/gwonline ©Copyright 2014 by the National Ground Water Association. All rights reserved.

An APEX award winner 11 consecutive years with 24 total awards, most in the groundwater industry.

The Water Well Journal (ISSN #0043-1443) is published monthly by the National Ground Water Association, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081. Printed and mailed at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. Postal acceptance: Periodical (requester subscription circulation) postage paid at Westerville, Ohio, and at additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Water Well Journal, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081. Canada Post/ Publications Mail Agreement #40739533. Return address: 4960-2 Walker Rd., Windsor, ON N9A 6J3.

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Advertise your products and services to the groundwater industry’s most influential readership. Call Shelby Fleck and Vickie Crosby in the NGWA sales department at (800) 551-7379.

Award-Winning Patented Technology

The monthly WWJ has: ● Approximately 25,000 readers every month. ●

More than 19,000 who are groundwater contractors. Approximately 4000 reside in professions also allied to the field.

●

Readers in every state, Canada, and other international locations.

Consider display and classified advertising, but also special ad treatments like tip-ons, bind-ins, and more.

Shelby Fleck

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Also reach people with your products and services with electronic advertising on WaterWellJournal.com and in NGWA Newszine, a weekly newsletter of the National Ground Water Association. And if your audience includes environmental firms, consultants, regulators, or hydrologists, ask about WWJ’s sister publications, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation and Groundwater.

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WWJ May 2014 䡲 7

In this ISSUE elcome to the May 2014 issue of Water Well Journal. As I am sure you have noticed, the publication has went through some changes. All were implemented to make WWJ a better reading experience and informational tool for you, the groundwater professional. Please let us know what you think! The May issue features WWJ’s annual pump buyers guide. The 2014 Pumps Directory begins on page 27 and is where you can access complete contact information for the industry’s pump manufacturers. It also features an easy-to-read grid that details and checks off the types of pumps each manufacturer produces. Simply put, the buyers guide is a must-read before you make your next purchases.

The cover story focuses on extending the life of a pumping system in areas that are being impacted by drought. Authored by freelance writer Lana Straub, the article, “Saving the Life of Your Pump” on page 20, states there are different methods that can tackle issues that can have a negative impact on pump life. Straub goes over pumps producing sand or air, dry wells, pump starts, pump cycling, and more. She spoke with groundwater professionals, manufacturers, and end users to get a variety of perspecLana Straub tives. She concludes by saying there are a variety of options and products for the problem that can cause wear on the pump and frustration for your customers. “Variable Frequency Drives” on page 23 are the subject of freelance writer Jennifer Strawn’s feature article. Strawn details common mistakes that can be made by contractors attempting to troubleshoot a system using a VFD and how to rectify the problems. Among the situations she goes over are installation mistakes, times when the pump isn’t performing or pressure is building up, issues with the transducer, and errors by the operator. Strawn adds the fault codes on VFDs are helpful as they point to potential problems, but shouldn’t replace traditional troubleshooting Jennifer Strawn methods like using a megohmmeter to check for shorts to ground, checking the winding resistance and wire resistance, and checking the voltage across lines coming into the drive. The latest installment of Engineering Your Business by Ed Butts, PE, CPI, examines a tool the columnist says has demonstrated more radical changes than any other in the last several years—test meters. In “Working—and Having Fun—with Test Meters” on page 50, Butts describes meters from years ago, digital meters used today, and his favorites that are always in his truck with him to this day, the RS-3 Amprobe and the Simpson 372 ohmmeter. Ed Butts, PE, CPI Butts discusses using a Wiggy voltage test, GE amp/volt meter, megger, and Simpson Roto Ranger early in his career before settling on his favorites. He discusses the merits of the RS-3 Amprobe and Simpson 372 ohmmeter as well as detailing some features from digital meters today and the ideal situations to use them. The Safety Matters column this month by Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP, tackles an important subject with “Machine Shop Safety” on page 46. Ganson, who also performs safety audits, writes the majority of accidents he comes across occur in machine shops and explains how they can be avoided. Among the potential hazards discussed are lifting and ergonomic issues; using devices without guards, kill switches, and lock-out Gary Ganson, CIH, CSP capabilities; heat, metal fumes, and UV radiation from welding; and the misuse of solvents like those for cleaning equipment or protecting metals. 8 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Disclaimer Water Well Journal and the National Ground Water Association provide information for guidance and information purposes only. This publication is not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The information contained herein has been compiled from sources deemed reliable and it is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief; however, Water Well Journal and the National Ground Water Association cannot guarantee as to its accuracy, completeness, and validity and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. All information contained herein should be independently verified and confirmed. Water Well Journal and the National Ground Water Association do not accept any liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused in reliance upon such information. Reader agrees to assume all risk resulting from the application of any of the information provided by Water Well Journal and the National Ground Water Association. Trademarks and copyrights mentioned within Water Well Journal are the ownership of their respective companies. The names of products and services presented are used only in an educational fashion and to the benefit of the trademark and copyright owner, with no intention of infringing on trademarks or copyrights. No endorsement of any third-party products or services is expressed or implied by any information, material, or content referred to in the Water Well Journal. Subscriptions/Back Issues For questions, changes or problems with your subscription call Katie Neer. Subscriptions: Water well contractors and other qualified groundwater industry personnel in U.S. and Canada — free; others in U.S. — $115 per year; $15 per copy. Canada – $135 per year; $24 per copy. International: $150 per year; $35 per copy. Subscriptions available through NGWA offices only. We reserve the right to refuse subscriptions to anyone not directly engaged in the groundwater industry. Claims for missing issues must be made in writing within three months of publication and will be subject to the availability of back issues. Advertising Disclaimer Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content (including text, representation, and illustrations) of advertisements printed and also assume responsibility for any claims arising therefrom made against the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that it believes is not in keeping with the publication's standards or is deemed unsuitable or misleading.

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Your FEEDBACK By Ed Butts, PE, CPI

Through the Years All Those Well Pumps Ago Part 3(b): Submersible Pumps

ur “Through the Years” series is a new, irregular installment in Engineering Your Business. The series is intended to be a historical and mostly fond look back at all of the various well pumps and motors and installation methods we have used since the days electric motors started to turn them. As we venture back in time, I feel this is a good time to inform you I regard myself somewhat as a “water systems junkie.” I have collected and amassed a fairly good collection of engineering, technical, and sales data related to all kinds of pumps—positive displacement, jet, submersible, vertical turbine, and centrifugal—since 1972. For example, I possess technical data and installation instructions for submersible pumps from 1956 and on, cup sizes for Myers rod pumps from the 1930s, a copy of every single Franklin Electric service manual from the mid-1970s on, and the complete Jacuzzi injector codes for sizing the nozzle and venturi tubes on jet pumps from ¼ hp up to 20 hp. My collection even includes items such as old pump curves from virtually all manufacturers, and technical data from many water system component manufacturers such as data for the old Century Electric sub motors and the old style B/W and Warrick liquid level controls.

Ed Butts, PE, CPI, is the chief engineer at

4B Engineering & Consulting, Salem, Oregon. He has more than 35 years experience in the water well business, specializing in engineering and business management. He can be reached at epbpe@juno.com.

I was always amazed just how many different ways a control box could get connected, especially if there was a ground wire involved. My point is this: If you need to find out something about an old pump, a motor, or a component used for water systems, please contact me. I cannot guarantee I’ll have what you’re looking for, but I will certainly try to find it. As we now move to the next article in this series, I grant you my personal experience does not go back to the original creation of submersible well pumps. And although I cannot claim to actually working full time on wells and pumps in the 1960s, I can state I obtained a wealth of experience in the wide world of water well pumps during the 1970s and beyond to the extent I am regarded by most as an official “old timer.” In fact, since most of the installation and troubleshooting methods we used during the ’70s were exactly the same as were formed in the ’60s by those “older timers,” I feel I can relate to all of the earlier pump issues.

Early Pump and Motor Companies When I started to work full time in the well and water pump business in 1974, there were a multiple number of well pump and motor manufacturers from whom you could purchase whole or partial units. Although the pump manufacturers outnumbered the motor manufacturers,

32/ March 2014 Water Well Journal

there were still many submersible motor manufacturers around. These included companies such as Barnes, Century Electric, Colt Industries (Fairbanks Morse), Franklin Electric, Myers, Reda, Red Jacket, and Sta-Rite. At one point or another I had the opportunity to either install or service at least one of each of the previously cited manufacturers. Without naming names, I wish to state while I had high respect for all of these manufacturers, I did not necessarily wish to use their equipment on a steady basis. The primary prejudice I retained was against those manufacturers who insisted on retaining a non-NEMA motor design for matching to their pump end. This usually required a complete replacement of the entire pump and motor unit if either component failed, even if it was the pump alone that had failed. This often not only resulted in an unnecessary replacement of a perfectly good pump, but usually caused ill feelings from the customer as they often assumed they were being gouged and overcharged by us. Although the soon to be common five-year warranty packages covering the entire pump and motor often helped to soothe these customer complaints, the lack of logic behind the need to completely replace an otherwise functional pump or motor did not fully alleviate their concerns.

A Company with Respect And as we move into the subject of pump and motor manufacturers, let me start out by saying there is no firm in the water well industry I have more respect for than Franklin Electric. In my opinion, Franklin Electric has consistently waterwelljournal.com

A FELLOW PUMP JUNKIE Mr. Butts, Although I cannot claim your tenure in the water well industry, I too am a pump junkie (“Through the Years,” Engineering Your Business by Ed Butts, PE, CPI, March 2014). I am primarily self-educated and have worked in many aspects of the water industry. My education is electrical engineering, but don’t hold that against me! I grew up on a dairy farm in Michigan, acquiring many skills with the most valuable being critical thinking. My first water industry job was technical support for a well supply company. I didn’t know a submersible pump from a pitless adapter. But I kept a Franklin Electric AIM Manual and Johnson Screen’s Groundwater and Wells in the bathroom for reading material and was soon accepted in my region as an “expert” (ex = has been, spurt = drip under pressure) in control systems and applications. I enjoy your articles and always learn something while reading. Keep them coming. Chris Zeeb Layne Northern Lansing, Michigan

COVERING A LIFETIME Mr. Butts, I read your article, “Through the Years Part 3(b)” in the March 2014 issue of the Water Well Journal and found it very much to my liking. Most articles are about drilling, rigs, etc., but 10 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

few are about what your article covered and my life—pump installation, repair, tanks, and in the last few years, water softeners. My father started our business in 1964, so this is our 50th year. This as you know was the time when “jets were king, along with standard or galvanized tanks, and galvanized drop pipe were all the norm.” My older brother and I went out with him a lot on weekends and in the summers. We were his “go-fers” and “jet pump carriers” as he pulled the two poly pipes from the well. I tell everyone I have been doing this for 50 years, so when I read your article I identified with it. I have many stories about servicing wells. Last summer I was called out on a job from a lady who inherited a farm from her father when he died many years before. She grew up there and didn’t remember changing the well pump. It had to come out and as I was pulling it I knew it was old. The pipes were 1-inch Sch 40 with male and female connections and had “torcbumpers” as my dad called them every 20 feet between the male and female connections. The wire was the old Franklin electric wire you purchased in a cardboard box according to the length and type you wanted. It had a factoryinstalled motor end on it that you screwed into the pump by removing the red plastic plug out of the top of the motor and installing it. When I got it out I discovered it was a Goulds pump. My dad swore by Goulds. The motor was a cast iron end belled motor with the date code of 1966 on it. I installed a new pump on her pipe and wire. When I got home I opened my dad’s old books and there it was— 8-27-66, a 1/2 HP Goulds UEH05412 installed for her father along with 150 feet of 1-inch PVC, AW-28-2-16 wire, Sanitary Seal, 82 Perma tank, misc fittings, tax and labor installed for $389.88! My dad made a pulling unit we used to pull wells (metal pipe jet pumps and others) from 1966-1982 when we got our first and still only 3T Smeal rig. The pulling unit was made from a Montgomery Ward riding lawn mower.

The tower was made from 2-inch galvanized pipe he had pulled out of a well with a 1½-inch piece shoved inside of it. It was mounted on a 1950 Dodge pickup truck. He had a spool made on the rear shaft to hold the 1/4 steel cable (which raised the tower, pulled the well, and helped lower the tower), took off the rubber on the non-air type tires that were about three or four inches wide and had a model T or A brake attached to one side. The tower was one continuous unit that was erected with the same cable we attached to the pipe to pull with. Once it broke over center, he had another cable attached about threefourths of the way up the tower that came down to a boat winch he would ease down into the laid back position for pulling. This same boat winch was used to pull it back over center so he could use the lifting cable and brake system to ease it back to the laid down position. We pulled many heavy jobs with this! I also have a homemade metal pipe pulling unit that dad called a “working jack.” It was used before he made the other rig. It will walk out the pipes out of a well by leverage. It has two claw arms that, while one is lifting, the other is dropping down to get another bite. I am sure I have other things that would be of interest to a fellow pump installer like yourself! Tony Waddell Waddell Water Pump Guthrie, Oklahoma

Learn How to Engineer Success for Your Business Engineering Your Business: A series of articles serving as a guide to the groundwater business is a compilation of works from long-time Water Well Journal columnist Ed Butts. Visit NGWA’s online bookstore at www.NGWA.org for more information.

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Industry NEWSLINE Ball State University Says Goodbye to Coal-Fired Boilers

oal-fired boilers have gone cold as Ball State University continues its conversion to geothermal technology. Nearly 70 years after Ball State University, located in Muncie, Indiana, installed its four coal-fired boilers, school employees have stopped shoveling and the old system has gone cold as the university embraces renewable energy with the world’s largest district closed geothermal energy system. Jim Lowe, director of engineering, construction and operations, watched Jim Lowe with the last coal being delivered. the historic event. He has overseen the $80 million geothermal project—3600 boreholes to the system that heats and stacks come down in 2015.” cools 47 buildings on campus—since The work to be completed includes the first hole was drilled in 2009. finishing the system’s south borehole “It has been incredible to witness the field, modifications to the South District progress over the last few years,” Lowe Energy Station to accommodate the two says. “I think we’ll realize the full exnew 2500-ton heat-pump chillers, hot tent of the changeover from consuming and chilled water distribution looping, about 36,000 tons of coal a year to reand modification of the remaining newable energy when the two smokebuildings mainly on the south side of

the campus to accept the geothermal connections. Lowe notes when the system is complete next year, the shift from fossil fuels to a renewable energy source will reduce the university’s carbon footprint by nearly half while saving $2 million a year in operating costs. Phase 1 was completed in 2012. It consisted of two borehole fields, construction of the North District Energy Station, and connecting buildings on the north side of campus to the new distribution system. Federal and state officials have endorsed Ball State’s initiative into renewable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy provided a grant of $5 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The Indiana General Assembly authorized $45 million in state capital funding for the first phase. In 2013, the General Assembly authorized a $30 million cash appropriation for the second phase. NEWS continues on page 14

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NEWS from page 12 The project has caught the attention of universities and communities across the nation. Lowe is sharing information about the university’s new operation with others who want to learn how they too can benefit from a geothermal system. “The geothermal project provides research opportunities for faculty, and by creating a sustainable university, we can provide a learning environment for students,” Lowe says. “This project further demonstrates that we practice what we teach.”

Survey Shows Manufacturers Upbeat About Future

anufacturers are showing the highest level of business optimism since late 2012, according to the latest National Association of Manufacturers/ IndustryWeek Survey of Manufacturers. The survey found 86% of respondents were either somewhat or very positive about their company’s outlook. Despite this uptick in optimism, the survey also shows Washington continues

to be the major source of the burdens facing manufacturers. The top business challenge, cited by 79% of respondents, was an unfavorable business climate due to taxes, regulations, and government uncertainties, including Washington’s inability to solve problems. Rising health care and insurance costs followed closely behind, cited by 77% of respondents, with uncertainties attributed mostly to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. “Manufacturers in America are making more products today and making them better than ever before, which is why they believe in a bright future of growth and job creation,” says NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray. “However, Washington’s burdensome regulatory, tax, and health care policies still loom large in manufacturers’ business decisions, particularly for the smallest companies. Manufacturers are prepared to make the investments that will jumpstart our economy, but we need Washington to work with us, not against us.” To read the full survey results, visit www.industryweek.com/global-economy/

manufacturers-optimism-rises-namiwsurvey.

2015 Budget Includes Increase for Groundwater Monitoring Network President Barack Obama’s fiscal year 2015 budget request for the U.S. Geological Survey is $1.1 billion, an increase of $41.3 million above the FY 2014 enacted level. The budget includes increases totaling $76.4 million to advance key research and development priorities in the sustainable stewardship of natural resources. The 2015 budget includes an increase of $2.4 million for the groundwater monitoring network and $2 million for grants to state water resource agencies to improve the availability and quality of water-use data they collect and to integrate those data with the USGS Water Census. The budget also proposes increases of $1.2 million to fund more than 50 streamgages in the National Streamflow Information Program; $1 million to expand work related to

Not your typical well drillers.

We’re NGWA

“We’re not typical well drillers — we do a lot of different water supply projects — but groundwater is the primary thing we do with collector wells. So we wanted to be a part of the well drilling community, as well as being associated with the groundwater industry. Being a member of NGWA allows us to do just that, as well as providing us with knowledge and networking opportunities.” Ranney Collector Wells/Layne NGWA member since 1998

Find out what being a member can do for you and your business today! ®

14 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

www.NGWA.org/Membership 800 551.7379 t 614 898.7791 waterwelljournal.com

water availability issues on tribal lands; $750,000 for national hydrologic modeling for groundwater sustainability; and $700,000 to develop and improve the next generation of streamflow measurement techniques. In letters to the U.S. Senate and House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee encouraging funding, groundwater’s importance to the nation’s drinking water, food supply, economy, and security were highlighted. NGWA thanks the more than 30 state groundwater associations and professional organizations that joined with the Association in signing on to support the effort, including the American Geosciences Institute, the American Geophysical Union, the American Water Works Association, the Geological Society of America, the Ground Water Protection Council, and the Water Quality Association, to name just a few. The FY 2015 budget provides $210.4 million for the USGS Water Mission Area and includes $14.5 million for the WaterSMART program. As competition for water resources grows for activities like farming and energy production, so does the need for information and tools to aid water and natural resource managers. To read more about the FY 2015 budget, visit www.usgs.gov/newsroom/ article.asp?ID=3817&from=rss_home# .Ux9Qyc6mXIY.

Warmer temperatures, a pickup in demand during the spring selling season, and limited housing supply may help fuel further gains in new residential construction. The outlook for the industry later this year depends on whether hiring picks up enough to overcome higher mortgage rates and home prices. Estimates of 82 economists surveyed by Bloomberg ranged from 792,000 to 986,000. The February pace was the slowest in four months. Permits filed for future projects increased 7.7% to a 1.02 million pace in February, the most since October and reflecting a surge in applications for apartment-building construction. One-family home-building permits dropped for a third consecutive month to the lowest level in a year. The median forecast in the Bloomberg survey called for a 960,000 rate. Work on single-family houses rose 0.3% to a 583,000 rate in February from 581,000 the prior month. Construction of multifamily projects such as condominiums and apartment buildings decreased 1.2% to a rate of 324,000. Two of four regions showed increases in groundbreaking in February, led by the Midwest and the South. February ended with its coldest final week since 2003, according to Berwyn, Pennsylvania-based weather data provider Planalytics Inc. The second week of the month was the snowiest such period since 2007.

loomberg News reports housing starts in the United States were little changed in February after declining less than previously estimated a month earlier, indicating the home-building industry is stabilizing after bad winter weather curbed construction. The 0.2% decrease to 907,000 homes at an annualized rate in February followed a revised 909,000 pace in January, Commerce Department figures showed in March. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey called for a 910,000 rate after a previously reported 880,000 in January. Residential construction is important to the water well industry as it can indicate possible construction of new water well systems. Twitter @WaterWellJournl

A new report from the Columbia Water Center details groundwater depletion across the United States. In addition to confirming an alarming depletion in well-known hot spots such as the Great Plains and Central California, the study identifies a number of other regions—the Lower Mississippi, along the eastern seaboard, and the Southeast—where water tables are falling just as rapidly. The report concludes between 1949 and 2009 groundwater levels declined throughout much of the continental United States, suggesting the nation’s long-term pattern of groundwater use is broadly unsustainable. The report was written as part of the Water Center’s new “America’s Water” initiative, a multidisciplinary program designed to bring together industry, government, and academic experts to address the country’s looming water challenges. According to Tess Russo, the study’s lead author, it is impossible to determine the exact volume of depletion for a particular aquifer without knowing its individual storage capacity. Nonetheless, it is clear, she said, “We’re using groundwater in an unsustainable way.” To read the report, visit http://water .columbia.edu/files/2014/03/USGW_ WhitePaper_FINAL.pdf. NEWS continues on page 16

Housing Starts Change Little from Strong January

Water Center Releases Report on Groundwater Declines

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NEWS from page 15

Franklin Electric moved into its new world headquarters in September 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It sits on 102 acres and contains more than 70 Franklin Electric products in the building.

Franklin Electric’s New World Headquarters Has Innovation and Excitement in Mind

hen the staff from Franklin Electric began moving into its new, stateof-the-art world headquarters in September 2013 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it did so over a span of 12 days with groups of approximately 25 employees settling in each day. This did two things: Logistically, it made the move of hundreds of employees significantly easier. And two, it created a noticeable buzz each day as more and more staff members settled into their shiny new home. “It was exciting when we were moving in to see new people coming in every day,” says David R. Haecker, vice president, sales-U.S. “The company literally got bigger every day. Everyone was excited and it changed things. The morale of the company is up. It’s something that is still being felt months later.” The jewel is located near the Fort Wayne International Airport. The company’s previous home had been in Bluffton, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne and where Franklin Electric had occupied leased space in two buildings since 1952. The new home for Franklin Electric’s 245 employees is a 120,000-square-foot facility. It features a state-of-the-art 25,000-square-foot testing lab—the Engineering Center of Excellence— that will foster long-term product innovation and growth. The testing lab, quickly accessible after a short walk through the front 16 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

doors, is an eye-catcher. It has changed the way Franklin Electric works as it provides three times the testing capacity as the facility in Bluffton. Simply put, the company had outgrown its old testing lab. From time to time the staff in Bluffton would experience bottlenecks in its development process as projects and tests would be delayed while others took place. “We can test continuously and inhouse and really focus on the industry,” says DeLancey Davis, Franklin Electric vice president and president, North America Water Systems. “The building speeds up our development cycle. “The access (to the lab) is great. We’re not waiting for three weeks for lab time now. We can talk to people about projects right away now. There are so many tangible and intangible benefits.” The building is also a testament to Franklin Electric’s products. More than 70 Franklin Electric products are used to move and manage water within the building. It also utilizes geothermal heating and cooling as well as aesthetic exterior water features such as ponds and fountains that act as functional parts of the system. It sits on 102 acres that include one and a half miles of walking paths. A fitness center that can be accessed by staff any time of day every day of the week is also part of the facility. The interior of the building is open, creating a sense of camaraderie. There are several small meeting rooms and open spaces ideal for pop-up meetings or brainstorming sessions. A quick tour

A variety of Franklin Electric products are in an area where the company’s technical support team takes calls so it can better aid contractors calling from the field.

The layout in the new headquarters is open to create camaraderie among the 245 employees.

of the building makes it obvious you’re in the midst of a purpose-built layout. No part of the building may better showcase that than the area for Franklin Electric’s field service engineers and technical support staff. Unlike many companies where customer service teams take calls and look at material online to help professionals in the field, Franklin Electric’s team has an area set up nearby that contains a variety of actual Franklin Electric products. This enables the support team to look at, handle, and experience what is happening for the callers in the field. “Some things are different now and they’ve made a positive impact for us,” Haecker says. “We’re able to serve our customers and work together better. We’re really, really happy.” –By Thad Plumley waterwelljournal.com

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NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION

Groundwater Awareness Week Continues to Grow in 16th Year

While it’s said groundwater is “out of sight and out of mind” for many people, that is becoming less true as NGWA’s National Groundwater Awareness Week continues to grow in reach and impact each year. Just one indicator of progress in raising public awareness about groundwater is the nearly 400 websites—a record number—promoting the 16th edition of Groundwater Awareness Week that took place March 9-15. In Illinois alone, at least 10 county health departments promoted groundwater awareness to constituents such as Lake County, which offered discounted water tests to well owners. “About 90,000 Lake County residents rely on groundwater from aquifers to supply their private wells,” says Tony Beltran, the Health Department’s executive director. “The Health Department encourages all users of private wells to take this time to have their drinking water tested, and to test it at least annually to see if it meets the minimum drinking water standards.” The breadth and depth of organizations educating the public during Groundwater Awareness Week was significant, for example: • Federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of the Interior, and the U.S. Geological Survey. • Non-governmental national organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Water Resources Association, Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Golf Course Superintendents Association, Irrigation Association, National Association of Conservation Districts, and the National Rural Health Association. 18 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

• News media ranging from the Chicago Tribune to Mother Earth News to the (Florida) Oyster Radio WOYS 100.5 and the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman (Alaska). • State agencies from the Maryland Department of the Environment to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to the Water Replenishment District of Southern California hosting its 7th Annual “Treasure Beneath Our Feet” Groundwater Festival. • Universities from Cornell University to the University of Memphis. • Extension services from The Ohio State University to Penn State University to Texas A&M University. • State associations from the Idaho Environmental Health Association to the Virginia Water Environment Association. • Local government entities from Big Bear Lake, California, and the Village of Deer Park, Illinois, to the (California) Santa Clara Valley Water District to the city of Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Join NGWA Certified Ranks in February

NGWA welcomed one new Certified Well Driller to the program, Richard Lane, CWD, of M & W Drilling LLC in Knoxville, Tennessee, and one new Certified Pump Installer, Richard L. Amirault, CPI, of Adirondack Pump & Well Service LLC in Scotia, New York. In all, 12 exams were administered for NGWA Certification in February, with six of those passing. Thirty-two exams were taken for state licensure purposes, with 11 passing scores. If you have questions about the NGWA certification programs, contact Jessica Rhoads, NGWA industry practices administrator/certification coordinator, at jrhoads@ngwa.org, or call (800) 551-7379, ext. 511.

NGWA Adds 189 New Members in February NGWA added 189 new members in February. The total consisted of 133 scientists and engineers, 33 contractors, 7 manufacturers, 7 suppliers, 7 students, and 2 associates. A total of 1150 members renewed their membership as well. To learn more about NGWA and how to become a member, visit www.NGWA .org/Membership.

Two groundwater professionals joined the ranks of NGWA’s Voluntary Certification Program in February.

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FIND IT ON THE NGWA WEBSITE, NGWA.ORG

Deadline Nears for Calls for Submissions for the 2014 NGWA Expo Expo—The Complete Groundwater Event—is heading back to Las Vegas, December 9-12. And you can be an integral part of it. You can help advance the groundwater industry by sharing your knowledge and expertise with fellow professionals as part of the educational lineup at the Expo. NGWA is seeking professional development offerings on a variety of topics and in various formats. Proposals for workshops, panels, discussion sessions, and field trips reflecting practical application and technology transfer are being sought on the following topics. All proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 11: • • • • • • • • • •

Business management Drilling operations and well construction Geothermal operations Innovative approaches Professional development Safety/compliance/safe practice Sustainable and available groundwater Water quality and treatment Water systems Well maintenance and rehabilitation.

In addition, abstracts are being sought for the following two technical sessions and are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on May 26:

Web NOTES

ous components of a typical water pump system. This is designed as an easy-to-use Excel workbook. To learn more or to purchase these products, visit the NGWA bookstore at www.NGWA.org, or call (800) 551-7379 (614-898-7791).

NGWA’s Community Makes Sharing Ideas, Communicating Easier The NGWA Community is a discussion group that makes it easier to share ideas and communicate with other NGWA members. The upgraded discussion group: • Has an area to post messages and still receive discussion posts in your email inbox • Allows you to control how and when you receive messages from the groups • Uses your NGWA.org website login to access your groups • Has an enhanced member directory to allow member-tomember networking • Allows you to post documents, videos, and links. Please be sure your NGWA membership is up to date to assure you have access to the discussion group. You can log on to the site by going to http://community .ngwa.org and signing in with your NGWA.org user name and password. To become a member, visit www.NGWA.org.

• Advances in groundwater science and practice • Southwest hydrology. For more information or to make your submission today, please visit www.GroundwaterExpo.com.

NGWA Offers Variety of Products on Pumping Systems A host of products are available in NGWA’s bookstore on pumping systems. Here are just a few. • Basic Water Systems: A Pump and Hydraulic Training Manual takes on the complex world of water systems and presents the basics in a straightforward style. It is designed for both newcomers and old hands. • The Pump Book describes how to design, install, and service a groundwater pumping system in this easy-to-read text. The book also features a complete troubleshooting section and numerous charts and tables that a pump installer or homeowner might want to refer to. • The Water Well Handbook, seventh edition, combines many of the tables, charts, and other information used by drillers and pump installers in their daily work. • Free to NGWA members, the Pump Installation Cost Calculator shows you the true cost of doing business and helps you set the profit level your business needs to succeed. • Also free to NGWA members is the Pump System Sizer, a digital tool that will help you determine the size of the variTwitter @WaterWellJournl

WWJ May 2014 䡲 19

SAVING THE LIFE OF YOUR PUMP There are methods to prolong pump life for systems in droughtstricken areas. By Lana Straub

f you work around water, you absolutely know weather can affect the life of a pump. As talk of drought issues heat up around the country, more and more people are turning to groundwater. Drilling a water well and installing a pump to obtain water can be a capital investment for a consumer. But if the pump wears out or the well fails in a short period of time, those consumers won’t be blaming global warming or something else. They’ll blame the groundwater contractor who helped bring the water out of the ground. As a groundwater professional, you have to look for different causes of pump wear and tear and how to help your customers save the life of their pumps. This article will provide insight and different methods for helping pumps last longer from end users, groundwater professionals, and manufacturers.

WEAR AND TEAR, SAND AND AIR Dee Vaughan, a cotton farmer in the high plains area of Texas, outlined two problems end users encounter with regard to pump life.

20 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

(COVER STORY) “The biggest sources of wear and tear are sand and air,” he says. “There is not a lot an (agricultural) producer can do if a well produces sand except if the situation becomes bad enough, a producer can opt to drill a new well. Most wells that do not have casing problems do not produce sand.” Air is another issue. “Many wells in this area, especially late in the irrigation season when the water levels have pumped down lower, make some air,” Vaughan adds. “This air will wear out the impellers and bowl assembly of a pump.” Brad Heffington, another cotton farmer in the high plains area of Texas, confirms air is an ongoing issue as the watering season progresses. “Water production can drop from 100 gallons per minute in one month to 50 gallons per minute a month later,” says Heffington, who also owns the irrigation pivot business, Triple T Irrigation. “The key is to squeeze the pump down and make it not pump air.” Heffington says his pump installers suggested he make sure the pump is sized properly from the moment it is installed by letting the installer and the manufacturer know how you are going to use your pump. He’s also been advised to be prepared with some sort of gate valve you adjust as the water pressure changes from season to season. “We try to minimize air by slowing pumps down, again especially late in the season, so we are pumping water and not air,” Vaughan adds. “Aside from this, there is not a lot a producer can do to minimize pump wear.”

SCARY TIMES FOR CUSTOMERS There have been complaints of water wells in communities on the outskirts of large cities running dry due to alleged overpumping in the cities in the highpopulation areas of central Texas. Residents in some of these areas have been forced to deal with the issue of no water for several days at a time.

Kris Biedenharn-Ressel, a well owner in San Antonio, had one of those dry situations. “The first time my well went dry was for two days, the next time it was for a week,” she says. “The longest was for 10 days. It’s scary when you can’t even get a drink of water out of your faucet day after day.” A pump installer suggested she get a water tank and a Pumptec system to keep the water tank full in times of abundant water so when the well runs dry, her house will not. Industry manufacturer Franklin Electric knows the number of pump starts can drastically affect the life of a pump. “The average number of starts per day over a period of months or years influences the life of a submersible pumping system,” states the Franklin Electric AIM Manual. “Excessive cycling affects the life of control components such as pressure switches, starters, relays, and capacitors. Rapid cycling can also cause motor spline damage, bearing damage, and motor overheating. All these conditions can lead to reduced motor life,” the manual states. Several products are available to deal with the different types of pump issues that arise in the field. The 2011 edition of the AIM Manual describes a Pumptec product: Pumptec-Plus is a pump/motor protection device designed to work on any 230 V single-phase induction motor (PSC, CSCR, CSIR, and split phase) ranging in size from 1/2 to 5 horsepower. Pumptec-Plus uses a micro-computer to continuously monitor motor power and line voltage to provide protection against dry well, water logged tank, high and low voltage, and mud or sand clogging.

Several pump installers in West Texas use the Pumptec-Plus for various water situations that arise, including issues of sand clogging and dry wells. When dry-well conditions are encoun-

waterwelljournal.com

tered by the Pumptec-Plus, a solid yellow light will show on the display panel. The AIM Manual suggests when this situation occurs, groundwater professionals take the following action to troubleshoot the problem: Wait for the automatic restart timer to time out. During the time out period the well should recover and fill with water. If the automatic reset timer is set to the manual position, then the reset button must be pressed to reactivate the unit.

The use of check valves is also an important key to saving the life of your pump. The AIM Manual suggests the use of check valves can prevent backspin, water hammer, and upthrust. Backspin occurs when water backflows down the discharge pipe that causes the pump to rotate in a reverse direction. Water hammer occurs when a vacuum, created by a leaking downhole check valve, causes a void where water moving at high velocity fills the void and strikes the closed check valve and the stationary water in the pipe above it, causing a hydraulic shock. Upthrust can occur when starting the unit under zero head pressure, causing an uplifting on the impeller-shaft assembly in the pump. On the use of check valves, the AIM Manual says: It is recommended one or more check valves always be used in submersible pump installations. If the pump does not have a built-in check valve, a line check valve should be installed in the discharge line within 25 feet of the pump and below the draw down level of the water supply.

CYCLING ON AND OFF Cary Austin, vice president of Cycle Stop Valves in the West Texas city of Lubbock, has studied pump system problems for decades. He believes most pump system problems are caused by the pump cycling on and off, something that can be avoided.

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

In fact, he says Cycle Stop Valves was created because “eliminating the cycling not only makes pumps and motors last longer, but can also eliminate failed check valves, pressure switches, contactors, tank bladders, capacitors, and other components.” He also believes by eliminating pump cycling with cycle stop valves, a whole myriad of pump problems can be solved completely. In an email interview, he writes: Eliminating pump cycling can also keep pumps from coming unscrewed from the drop pipe, breaking shafts, reduce sediment or sand from wells, eliminate chaffing of the drop wire, and other things. It stops water hammer, which breaks lines, fittings, and waste precious fresh water supplies. It also allows the use of much smaller pressure tanks, does away with the need for VFDs and other controls. Over the years, we have proven that eliminating pump cycling solves the majority of pump system problems, and makes pumps and motors last much longer than they were designed to last.

Austin knows all about the types of problems encountered by well owners like Biedenharn-Ressel. “There are lots of dry well protectors on the market,” he says. “We have one of our own called the Cycle Sensor. It detects rapid cycle and dry run and reacts to either of these conditions by shutting down the pump. It does not control or prevent rapid cycle or dry run but protects your pump in the event these problems occur.” The PumpSaver line of products from SymCom is another option when dealing with common problems that can minimize the life of your pump. PumpSavers are designed to protect pumps from dry well, dead head, rapid cycle, jammed impeller, and over/under voltage conditions. They are popular in drought-stricken regions of the United States.

“As for our PumpSaver sales,” states Stephen Cone, a sales manager for Littelfuse Inc. which owns SymCom, “our ranked sales by state would be Texas, California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah—the southwest and western states where drought is more severe.” Jim Blair, owner of Bee Cave Drilling near Austin, uses PumpSaver products in all of his installations. As a result, his company has become a case study for Littelfuse. Blair installed more than 500 pumps in one year, using the PumpSaver product on each one. He says he believes “having a PumpSaver on your pump is like having a pump man watching your pump 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” No matter which line of products you choose to recommend to your customers, it is important to know there are several options available to handle problems that cause wear and tear on pumping systems and create frustration for customers. We all know customers tend to blame the installer when there are pump problems. So help your customers prolong the life of their pump with accessories that fit their individual well’s conditions and needs. When you do, you create a win-win situation. You not only save the life of your customer’s pumping system, you save your business with another kept and satisfied customer. WWJ

Lana Straub, with a background in the legal and financial aspects of small business, is the office manager of Straub Corp., Stanton, Texas, an environmental and water well drilling firm owned and operated by her family for more than 50 years. She can be reached at Lana@StraubCorporation.com.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 21

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VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVES Make sure you know how to troubleshoot common system problems. By Jennifer Strawn

here’s no doubt variable speed drives are more popular than ever. “The market is definitely changing,” says Roger Renner, MGWC, owner of E.H. Renner & Sons in Elk River, Minnesota. “We’re seeing more and more customers switch from standard fixed-speed drives to VFDs.” In fact, nearly 70% of Renner’s installations are VFD systems, he says. The drives are attractive to homeowners because they provide constant pressure, offer power savings in some installations, and even extend the life of the water system. Systems with VFDs also use smaller tanks, so they have smaller footprints. “Our customers just love their operation,” Renner says. For contractors, the drives act as an electronic maintenance system. Twitter @WaterWellJournl

• Checking winding resistance and “It tells you exactly what’s wrong wire resistance with it,” says Kyle Schoenheit, global product manager with Goulds Water • Measuring amperage on the input Technology in Seneca Falls, New York. side of the drive with the pump run“It makes troubleshooting easier.” ning at maximum revolutions per Fault codes will point to potential minute problems, but it doesn’t replace “The pump is designed to speed up traditional troubleshooting methods, warns Bob Johnson of faster when the water level gets Franklin Electric in Bluffton, lower. So it compensates for the Indiana. additional head, and it runs faster “I think flash codes give people a false sense of security,” to keep the pressure where it’s Johnson says. “I’ve seen guys supposed to.” read our manual to see what the problem could be and take it literally. • Checking the voltage across lines one They don’t take resistance readings and and two coming into the drive. try to figure it out themselves.” “A lot of times it’s something simple. In general, Johnson suggests: I would say nine times out of ten, it’s • Using a megohmmeter to check for not something complicated,” Johnson shorts to ground VFD continues on page 24 WWJ May 2014 䡲 23

VFD from page 23 says. “It’s a bad connection at the top of the well or a broken wire. Using your meters should lead you to the issue.”

Installation mistakes Installation mistakes are to blame for many of the service calls Johnson receives. Franklin Electric’s drives differ from other residential VFDs on the market, which cause confusion for some installers. For one, its drives need to be set to the horsepower (hp) on the pump end rather than the motor. When the drive is set for the motor rather than the pump, it results in a motor under load fault. “If they set their drive to a 3 hp motor when they have a 1.5 hp pump, it’s going to say it’s underloaded because it doesn’t have enough current draw,” Johnson says. “You’ll get the fault code simply because the drive is set up wrong.” For other manufacturers’ drives, you set the current limit on the drive to the service factor amps on the motor so the drive won’t allow the system to overcurrent, Schoenheit says. This protects the wire and motor. Placement of the pressure sensor is another frequent issue Johnson sees with Franklin Electric drives. In a traditional water system the placement of the pressure switch isn’t critical. But, for Franklin Electric’s drives, placement matters. The pressure sensor is unique to its drives and functions differently than transducers on other VFDs, but performs the same function of regulating pressure in the system. The pressure sensor is used because it can withstand voltage surges, functions even in poor water quality, and has lower replacement costs. “Our pressure sensor is sensitive to less than a pound of differential between the pump starting and stopping, so we can’t have turbulence where the sensor is located,” Johnson says. “We put the sensor after the pressure tank so that the tank takes the turbulence out of the water.” Because each manufacturer’s drives vary, it’s a good idea to read through the installation instructions prior to doing the work to save yourself time and frustration on the job site, Johnson says. 24 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Another installation mistake contractors make is installing a bare minimum drive that just meets the system’s demands, Renner says. Depending on your geographic area, increased demand during summer months from irrigation may cause the water table to drop. “The pump is designed to speed up faster when the water level gets lower,” he says. “So it compensates for the additional head, and it runs faster to keep the pressure where it’s supposed to. One of the biggest faults contractors have is they put in a drive just minimal. When the water level gets too low, the pressure actually drops below its set point because the pump is maxed out.” Just like a standard system, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It should be designed well from the start, using quality materials and have a right-sized pump and tank.

Pump not performing or pressure building up Typically drives won’t let the system draw more current than it’s set to, but if you have a pump that’s dragging, is worn, has a broken shaft, or another problem that allows it to spike up in amperage, it negates the performance of the pump, Schoenheit says. “To troubleshoot, measure your frequency,” he says. “Are you staying at full speed or not? Are you current limiting yourself? Are you maxing out the amperage on the drive?” If those things are in line—meaning the system isn’t at full speed but is at max current—then that could mean there’s something wrong with the pump or the motor. “In that case, there’s nothing wrong with the drive because it’s operating as it should be,” Schoenheit says.

The transducer Transducers are used in many drives to control the pressure in the system, but sometimes it doesn’t respond the way it’s supposed to. It doesn’t allow the drive to turn off or it underspeeds the drive or overspeeds the drive. “If you have poor water quality in the well, some transducers—depending on the brand—may become fouled with calcium or another particulate,” Schoenheit says. “It also could be caused by debris in the piping system.”

Become a Certified Pump Installer Show off your expertise to customers by becoming a certified pump installer in NGWA’s Voluntary Certification Program. Find out more at www.NGWA.org. The first step to troubleshooting issues with the transducer is to take measurements. This confirms whether or not the transducer is responding the way it’s supposed to. “A lot of the drives today, regardless of the brand, have some functional tests where you can create failure modes,” Schoenheit says. That could help you rule out other potential causes. “That includes disconnecting the wire from the transducer to make sure it has a pulse and overkerning or underkerning the setting points to make sure the transducer is giving the proper response to the drive to shut it down,” he says. If poor water quality is to blame, gauge guards—rubber diaphragms that fit between the transducer and the water source—can isolate the transducer from the water source so even if there’s calcium or debris in the water, the transducer will function properly.

Operator error Homeowners’ lack of knowledge about their water system prompts service calls in Renner’s experience. “Homeowners know just enough to make themselves dangerous,” Renner says. For example, a homeowner will adjust the pressure on the drive. “They don’t know there’s a need to reset the pressure or adjust the pressure on the pressure tank,” Renner says. “Then there’s a failure on the tank.” Other times, one leg drops out and the drive faults to protect the system. When it comes back on again, it doesn’t start back up. As a result, the homeowner thinks they’re out of water. “Most of these drives aren’t programmed to reset,” Renner says. “Turning the power off to the unit and turning it back on again usually resets it.” But because most drives use flash codes, it’s easier for homeowners to figure out why the drive is faulting. waterwelljournal.com

“All the homeowner has to do is count the flashes,” Renner says. “Thus, diagnosing the problem over the phone is easy.” Renner expects VFDs’ popularity to continue to grow, and as time goes on, VFDs will continue to get “smarter.” Technology is changing, and the industry needs to change with it, he says. Schoenheit already sees VFD technology expanding. Households are becoming more digital and homeowners are choosing to install “smart” home systems where they connect all their utilities into a single monitoring system. These allow the user to monitor their energy usage and water consumption from a single wall unit or an app on their cell phone. “That’s where these drives are going right now,” he says. “Manufacturers are designing drives that can be integrated into a centralized smart home system.” The best way to keep up with VFD technology is to take advantage of training classes offered at regional and state shows and at national conventions such as the National Ground Water Association Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting, Renner says. Each drive man-

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ufacturer also provides training specific to its products. Even when you’re not installing many variable frequency drives, if your company does a lot of service work, it’s important to keep up with current VFD technology. “Believe it or not, there are contractors out there who get to a service call that’s got a variable frequency drive, and they have to tell the homeowner they can’t fix it. They turn the work down rather than become educated,” Renner says. “There’s all different kinds of drives out there, and you need to be up to speed on every darn one of them.” Because in the end, proper training leads to better troubleshooting results. “Lack of training is the main problem,” Renner says. “You have to know enough to fix the problem and not just the symptoms.” WWJ Jennifer Strawn was the associate editor of Water Well Journal from 2004 to 2007. She is currently in the internal communications department at Nationwide Insurance in Columbus, Ohio. She can be reached at strawnj2 @gmail.com.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 25

PUMPS DIRECTORY INDEX Directory of manufacturers . . . . . . . . . . 28 Directory of pump types and sizes . . . . . 34

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

WWJ May 2014 äĄ˛ 27

Air Pump Water Solutions 10983-E Guilford Rd. Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 (301) 604-2880 sales@air-pump.com www.air-pump.com (Other*—Water treatment)

American Granby 7652 Morgan Rd. Liverpool, NY 13090 (800) 776-2266 (800) 729-3299 fax sales@americangranby.com www.americangranby.com

American-Marsh Pumps 185 Progress Rd. Collierville, TN 38017 (901) 860-2300 (901) 860-2320 fax www.american-marsh.com

American Mfg. Co. P.O. Box 640 736 19th Ave. NE St. Joseph, MN 56374 (320) 363-7273 (320) 363-7274 fax info@american-manufacturing.com www.american-manufacturing.com Brand names manufactured under: American Mfg. Co.

American West Windmill & Solar P.O. Box 340 Abernathy, TX 79311 (888) 535-4788 (806) 298-5746 fax awwasc@gpeldt.com www.awwasc.com

AMS Inc. 105 Harrison St. American Falls, ID 83211 (800) 635-7330 (208) 226-2017 (208) 226-7280 fax ams@ams-samplers.com www.ams-samplers.com

A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co. P.O. Box 508 Dubuque, IA 52004 (563) 583-7311 (800) 832-9296 fax lrannals@aymcdonald.com www.aymcdonald.com Brand names manufactured under: A.Y. McDonald, DuraMAC, Guardian See our ad on inside front cover

Brand names manufactured under: Geopump, Geotech

Baker Water Systems–Monitor Armstrong Machine Co. Inc. 201 Southwest 7th St. Pocahontas, IA 50574 (712) 335-4131 (712) 335-4565 fax amci@armstrongmachine.com www.armstrongmachine.com (Other*—Grout pumps)

133 Enterprise St. Evansville, WI 53536 (608) 882-2721 (608) 882-6776 fax monitorsales@baker-mfg.com www.bakerwatersystems.com Brand names manufactured under: Monitor See our ad on page 12

B&D Mfg. Inc. 901 9th St. Scranton, IA 51462 (866) 646-6724 (800) 952-7101 fax gtflowcenter@bdmfginc.com www.bdmfginc.com Brand names manufactured under: QT Flow Centers (Other*—Geothermal flow centers)

(Other*—describes a pump type or feature not shown on the grid beginning on page 34.) 28 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

Bison Pumps 98 Bangor St. P.O. Box 977 Houlton, ME 04730 (207) 532-2600 (207) 521-0242 fax info@bisonpumps.com www.bisonpumps.com

BJM Pumps 123 Spencer Plain Rd. Old Saybrook, CT 06475 (860) 399-5937 sales@bjmpumps.com www.bjmpumps.com

ChemGrout Inc.

Fred’s Water Service Inc. ®

Flint & Walling 95 North Oak St. Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-1600 (260) 347-6664 fax www.flintandwalling.com www.wolfpumps.com Brand names manufactured under: Elite, F&W, Flint & Walling, Wolf Pumps See our ad on page 26

805 East 31st St. LaGrange Park, IL 60526 (708) 354-7112 (708) 354-3881 fax info@chemgrout.com www.chemgrout.com Brand names manufactured under: ChemGrout

Clean Earth Technology Inc. 445 Long Point Rd. North Ferrisburgh, VT 05473 (802) 425-3710 (802) 425-2896 fax info@cleanearth.biz www.cleanearth.biz (Other*—High viscosity pump)

Brand names manufactured under: C.R.I. Pumps

Brand names manufactured under: Du-All Pumps

General Pump 1174 Northland Dr. Mendota Heights, MN 55120 (651) 454-6500 (651) 454-8015 fax sales@gpcompanies.com www.generalpump.com

Geo-Loop Inc.

Flowserve–Flow Solutions Group 1341 West 2nd St. Hastings, NE 68901 (800) 437-8671 (402) 462-8512 fax mjallen@flowserve.com www.flowserve.com Brand names manufactured under: Byron Jackson, Flowserve, IDP, Pleuger, Western Land Roller, Worthington

C.R.I. Pumps (Pvt) Ltd. 7/46-1, Keeranatham Rd. Saravanampatty Coimbatore-641035 India +91-422-3911610 +91-422-3911600 fax cri@criexports.com www.cripumps.com

2638 Townline Rd. Madison, OH 44057 (440) 259-5436 (440) 259-4795 fax fred@fwservice.com www.fwservice.com

316 East 9th St. Aurelia, IA 51005 (712) 434-2125 (712) 434-2115 fax jeff@geo-loop.com www.geo-loop.com (Other*—Grout pumps)

Geoprobe Systems 601 North Broadway Salina, KS 67401 (800) 436-7762 (785) 825-2097 fax info@geoprobe.com www.geoprobe.com See our ad on inside back cover

Franklin Electric 9255 Coverdale Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46809 (260) 824-2900 (260) 824-2909 fax hotline@fele.com www.franklinwater.com Brand names manufactured under: FPS, J-Class, Little Giant, Schaefer, Water Horse

Geotech Environmental Equipment Inc. 2650 East 40th Ave. Denver, CO 80205 (303) 320-4764 (303) 322-7242 fax mickeleb@geotechenv.com www.geotechenv.com Brand names manufactured under: Geotech Environmental Equipment

See our ad on page 9 Twitter @WaterWellJournl

WWJ May 2014 䡲 29

Gorman-Rupp Co. 600 South Airport Rd. Mansfield, OH 44903 (419) 755-1011 (419) 755-1251 fax grsales@gormanrupp.com www.grpumps.com

Goulds Water Technology 2881 East Bayard St. Seneca Falls, NY 13148 (866) 325-4210 www.gouldsawatertechnology.com Brand names manufactured under: Goulds Water Technology, Red Jacket

Indar Máquinas Hidráulicas Barrio Altamira, Pol. Txara S/N Beasain, Spain 20200 +34-943-028200 +34-943-028203 fax indarmh@indar.ingeteam.com www.indarpump.com Brand names manufactured under: Indar

LEWA-Nikkiso America Inc. 132 Hopping Brook Rd. Holliston, MA 01746 (508) 429-7403 sales@lewa-inc.com www.lewa-inc.com

Grundfos Pumps Corp.

Brand names manufactured under: LEWA

17100 West 118th Terrace Olathe, KS 66061 (913) 227-3400 www.grundfos.us

Liberty Process Equipment Inc.

Brand names manufactured under: Grundfos, PACO, Peerless, Yeomans Chicago

Hitachi America Ltd. 1000 Marina Blvd. Brisbane, CA 94005 (650) 244-7673 (650) 244-7600 fax www.hitachi-america.us Brand names manufactured under: Hitachi Submersible Motors

Hydroflo Pumps USA Inc.

2525 Clearbrook Dr. Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 640-7867 (847) 640-7855 fax sales@libertyprocess.com www.libertyprocess.com Brand names manufactured under: Liberty

Liberty Pumps 7000 Apple Tree Ave. Bergen, NY 14416 (800) 543-2550 (585) 494-1839 fax support@libertypumps.com www.libertypumps.com

7118 Loblolly Pine Blvd. Fairview, TN 37062 (615) 799-9662 (615) 799-5654 fax www.hydroflopumps.com Brand names manufactured under: Hydroflo Pumps USA Inc. See our ad on page 22

P.O. Box 2675 Apple Valley CA 92307 (760) 961-1160 (760) 961-1126 fax sales@tibban.com www.mudpuppyinfo.com

Mud Technology International Inc. 2610 Highway 31 West Athens, TX 75751 (903) 675-3240 jwadsworth@mud-tech.com www.mud-tech.com Brand names manufactured under: Mud Technology

A GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

National Pump Co. 7706 North 71st Ave. Glendale, AZ 85303 (623) 979-3560 (623) 979-2177 fax info@natlpump.com www.nationalpumpcompany.com Brand names manufactured under: American Turbine Pump, National Pump Company See our ad on page 5

Pentair Lorentz GmbH & Co. Kroegerskoppel 7 D-24558 Henstedt-Ulzburg, Germany +49 (0) 4193-7548-0 +49 (0) 4193-7548-29 fax marketing@lorentz.de www.lorentz.de Brand names manufactured under: Lorentz

30 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

MudPuppy/Tibban Mfg. Inc.

293 Wright St. Delavan, WI 53115 (262) 728-5551 www.pentair.com Brand names manufactured under: Aermotor, Berkeley, Myers, Sta-Rite See our ad on page 31

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Pompco Inc. 345 Labbe Blvd. North Victoriaville, QC Canada G6P 1B1 (819) 758-1581 (819) 758-4837 fax service@pompco.com www.pompco.com Brand names manufactured under: Pompco, Puma

Pulsafeeder Inc. 27101 Airport Rd. Punta Gorda, FL 33982 (941) 575-3800 (941) 575-4085 fax spotech@idexcorp.com www.pulsatron.com Brand names manufactured under: Chem-Tech, Mec-O-Matic, Omni, Pulsatron

Ruhrpumpen 4501 South 86th East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74145 (918) 627-8400 info@ruhrpumpen.com www.ruhrpumpen.com Brand names manufactured under: Ruhrpumpen

Saer Elettropompe S.p.A. Via Circonvallazione 22 42016 Guastalla (RE) Italy +39-0522-830941 +39-0522-826948 fax info@saer.it www.saerelettropompe.com Brand names manufactured under: Saer Elettropompe S.p.A.

R.E. Rupe Co. 441 West Keota St. Ottumwa, IA 52501 (641) 682-7029 rerupeco@cisco.com www.rupepumps.com

Shakti Pumps USA LLC 1339 Benett Dr., Unit #165 Longwood, FL 32750 (407) 574-4001 ashish@shaktipumps.com www.shaktipumps.com Brand names manufactured under: Shakti

Robbco Pumps 12610 North FM 400 Idalou, TX 79329 (806) 749-7475 (806) 892-2922 fax brobb@robbcopumps.com www.robbcopumps.com See our ad on page 39

Rovatti Pompe S.p.A. Via Trento 22/24 42042-Fabbrico, Reggio Emilia Italy +39-0522-665000 +39-0522-665020 fax info@rovatti.it www.rovatti.it Brand names manufactured under: Rovatti A. & Figli Pompe 32 äĄ˛ May 2014 WWJ

See our ad on insert at 18-19

Simple Pump Co. 1140 Amarillo Dr. Gardnerville, NV 89460 (877) 492-8711 (888) 826-1444 fax gwittig@simplepump.com www.simplepump.com

Solar Power & Pump Co. 301 West 12th St. Elk City, OK 73644 (866) 246-7652 (580) 225-1120 contact@sunrotor.com www.solarpowerandpump.com Brand names manufactured under: Dankoff Solar, FlexPower, SunRotor

Solinst Canada Ltd. 35 Todd Rd. Georgetown, ON Canada L7G 4R8 (905) 873-2255 (905) 873-1992 fax instruments@solinst.com www.solinst.com Brand names manufactured under: Solinst (Other*â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Bladder pumps, double valve pumps, inertial pumps)

SRS Crisafulli Inc. P.O. Box 1051 Glendive, MT 59330 (406) 365-3393 (406) 365-8088 fax srsc@crisafulli.com www.crisafullipumps.com Brand names manufactured under: Crisafulli

Stairs Industrial Co. Ltd. No. 3-8, Sanchial Tsun Lutsao Hsiang Chiai Hsien, Taiwan, R.O.C. 61158 +886-5-375-0488 +886-5-375-5658 fax justinli@stairs.com.tw www.stairs.com.tw

Stenner Pump Co. 3174 Desalvo Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32246 (800) 683-2378 (904) 641-1666 (800) 329-1339 fax (904) 642-1012 fax sales@stenner.com www.stenner.com

Sumoto S.r.l. Via Peripoli ReG 1/3 36075 Alte di Montecchio, Italy +39-0444-490515 +39-0444-490518 fax info@sumoto.com www.sumoto.com waterwelljournal.com

Well Pumps S.A.

WILO USA LLC

Avenue de Lambusart 18 Fleures, 6220 Belgium +32-7146-0783 +32-7146-0771 fax info@wellpumps.eu www.wellpumps.eu

Unitra Inc. 12601 Exchange Dr. Stafford, TX 77477 (281) 240-1500 (281) 240-4334 fax unitra@unitrainc.com www.unitrainc.com

Brand names manufactured under: Well Pumps, WPS, WPS-CP

9550 West Higgins Rd. #300 Rosemont, IL 60018 (888) 945-6872 (888) 945-6873 fax info@wilo-usa.com www.wilo-usa.com Brand names manufactured under: TWI, TWU, 3HS

Windmill 702 LLC Well WaterBoy Products LLC

Brand names manufactured under: Unitra Inc.

P.O. Box 702 Myrtle, MO 65778 (417) 938-4991 darren@waterbuckpump.com www.waterbuckpump.com

See our ad on page 11

Brand names manufactured under: WaterBuck Pump (Other*—High volume manual water well pump jack)

Weber Industries/ Webtrol Pumps

Whale Water Systems 91 Manchester Valley Rd. Manchester Center, VT 05255 (802) 367-1091 (802) 367-1095 fax usasales@whalepumps.com www.whalepumps.com

8417 New Hampshire Ave. St. Louis, MO 63123 (314) 631-9200 (314) 631-1804 fax awolff@webtrol.com www.webtrol.com

702 Enterprise St., Ste. #1 Laredo, TX 78045 (956) 717-2900 (956) 717-2933 fax www.windmill702.com

Yaskawa America Inc. 2121 Norman Dr. South Waukegan, IL 60085 (847) 887-7000 (847) 887-7310 fax marcom@yaskawa.com www.yaskawa.com Brand names manufactured under: iQpump, iQpump1000 (Other*—Energy efficient drives for pumps)

Brand names manufactured under: Whale

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WWJ May 2014 䡲 33

2014 PUMP BUYERS GUIDE

Air Pump Water Solutions American Granby American-Marsh Pumps American Mfg. American West Windmill & Solar AMS Armstrong Machine A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Baker Water Systems– Monitor B&D Mfg. Bison Pumps BJM Pumps ChemGrout Clean Earth Technology C.R.I. Pumps Flint & Walling Flowserve–Flow Solutions Group Franklin Electric Fred’s Water Service General Pump Geo-Loop Geoprobe Systems Geotech Environmental Equipment Gorman-Rupp Goulds Water Technology

34 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

Package Lift Station

Mud

Mini Bladder Direct Push

Metering

Magnetic Drive Sealless

Leachate

Jet Adapters

Jet

Injection

Inline Chemical Mixers

Hydrostatic Test

Hand and Pitcher

Grinder

Diaphragm

Cylinders

Corrosive Environments 316 SS Pumps

Controllerless Pneumatic

Constant Pressure

Chemical Feed

Company Name

Booster

Pump Types Manufactured

Windmills

Well Seal Vents

Wastewater/Sewage

Submersible

Jet

n/a

⻬

n/a

⻬

100–12,000 gpm

n/a

1–650 gpm

n/a

5–1100 gpm

to 65 gpm

n/a

10–2415 gpm

n/a

⻬

5–1000 gpm

n/a

⻬

0–1000 gpm

0–25 gpm

n/a

5–1000 gpm

3–25 gpm

n/a

2–236 gpm

n/a

0.5–1200 gpm

n/a

⻬

25–7400 gpm

n/a

⻬

5–320 gpm

1.5–28 gpm

Other

Vertical Turbine

Transfer Recirculation

Sump

Submersible, Motors

Submersible, Industrial/Irrigation

Submersible, Domestic

Sprinkler

Solar

Slurry

Side Slope Riser– Horizontal/Vertical

Pump Sizes

Septic/Effluent Filters

Sampling/Monitoring

Remediation

Reciprocating/Centrifugal

Positive Displacement– Piston/Plunger

Peristaltic

Pump Types Manufactured

* ⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

* ⻬

⻬

* ⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

* ⻬

⻬

⻬⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

⻬

⻬⻬

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* * — See under company’s information beginning on page 28.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 35

2014 PUMP BUYERS GUIDE

Grundfos Hitachi America Hydroflo Pumps USA Indar Máquinas Hidráulicas LEWA-Nikkiso America Liberty Process Equipment Liberty Pumps Lorentz MudPuppy/Tibban Mfg. Mud Technology International National Pump Pentair Pompco Pulsafeeder R.E. Rupe Robbco Pumps Rovatti Pompe Ruhrpumpen Saer Elettropompe Shakti Pumps USA Simple Pump Solar Power & Pump Solinst Canada SRS Crisafulli Stairs Industrial

36 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

Package Lift Station

Mud

Mini Bladder Direct Push

Metering

Magnetic Drive Sealless

Leachate

Jet Adapters

Jet

Injection

Inline Chemical Mixers

Hydrostatic Test

Hand and Pitcher

Grinder

Diaphragm

Cylinders

Corrosive Environments 316 SS Pumps

Controllerless Pneumatic

Constant Pressure

Chemical Feed

Company Name

Booster

Pump Types Manufactured

⻬

Windmills

Submersible

Jet

5–1100 gpm

5–30 gpm

n/a

5–5000 gpm

n/a

200–3500 gpm

n/a

⻬

n/a

⻬

n/a

1–650 gpm

n/a

0–500 gpm

n/a

300–750 gpm

n/a

5–20,000 gpm

5–64 gpm

Other

⻬

Well Seal Vents

⻬

Wastewater/Sewage

Sump

⻬

Vertical Turbine

Submersible, Motors

⻬

Transfer Recirculation

Submersible, Industrial/Irrigation

⻬

Submersible, Domestic

Sprinkler

Solar

Slurry

Side Slope Riser– Horizontal/Vertical

Pump Sizes

Septic/Effluent Filters

Sampling/Monitoring

Remediation

Reciprocating/Centrifugal

Positive Displacement– Piston/Plunger

Peristaltic

Pump Types Manufactured

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

–90 gpm

–30 gpm

5–230 gpm

3–24 gpm

n/a

40–10,000 gpm

n/a

10–5280 gpm

n/a

2–725 gpm

n/a

7–1100 gpm

5–20 gpm

n/a

4–1100 gpm

n/a

⻬

200–18,000 gpm

n/a

⻬

5–215 gpm

n/a

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

⻬

* ⻬

⻬⻬

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

⻬

* — See under company’s information beginning on page 28.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 37

2014 PUMP BUYERS GUIDE

โปฌ

Stenner Pump Sumoto

โปฌ

Unitra Weber Industries/ Webtrol Pumps

โปฌ

Well Pumps

โปฌ

Well WaterBoy Products Whale Water Systems

โปฌ

โปฌ โปฌ

โปฌ

WILO USA Windmill 702 Yaskawa America

well

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rigs

auger

tools

motors

heat pumps

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pumps

heavy equipment

bits construction

pipe

COMPLETE aquifer

collars

screens

THE

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well screen

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waterwelljournal.com

Package Lift Station

Mud

Mini Bladder Direct Push

Metering

Magnetic Drive Sealless

Leachate

Jet Adapters

Jet

Injection

Inline Chemical Mixers

Hydrostatic Test

Hand and Pitcher

Grinder

Diaphragm

Cylinders

Corrosive Environments 316 SS Pumps

Controllerless Pneumatic

Constant Pressure

Company Name

Chemical Feed

Booster

Pump Types Manufactured

⻬

Twitter @WaterWellJournl ⻬⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬⻬

⻬

* —*See under company’s information beginning on page 28.

Other

Windmills

Well Seal Vents

Wastewater/Sewage

Vertical Turbine

Transfer Recirculation

Sump

Submersible, Motors

Submersible, Industrial/Irrigation

Submersible, Domestic

Sprinkler

Solar

Slurry

Side Slope Riser– Horizontal/Vertical

Septic/Effluent Filters

Sampling/Monitoring

Remediation

Reciprocating/Centrifugal

Positive Displacement– Piston/Plunger

Peristaltic Pump Types Manufactured Pump Sizes

⻬⻬⻬⻬

⻬

⻬⻬

Submersible Jet

n/a n/a

5–650 gpm 12–20 gpm

2–1500 gpm 2–17 gpm

5–350 gpm n/a

3–55 gpm n/a

0.1–4.16 gpm n/a

5–15,000+ gpm n/a

50–1000 gpm n/a

n/a n/a

WWJ May 2014 䡲 39

FIELD NOTES

40 äĄ˛ May 2014 WWJ

Understanding driller geology By Raymond L Straub Jr., PG

waterwelljournal.com

f you have ever been in a situation where it was necessary to converse with someone who did not speak your language, you know it can be difficult. It is easy to assume the other person is not bright or lacks certain sophistication. More often than not, though, intellect or sophistication is not the problem—but rather a simple lack of effective communication. In the groundwater industry there is a common misconception about contractors, geologists, and engineers. It can seem each group has predisposed opinions about the other disciplines. Engineers are often viewed as rigid. Geologists are often seen as lacking technical competence. Contractors can be described as “well diggers.” Nearly all of this stereotyped behavior comes from a lack of communication.

Contractor Language Many scientific disciplines are recognized internationally and adopt a specific set of terminology to define professional work product. Drilling, although it is an international endeavor, is full of local and regional terminology. For instance, “Red Bed” is a regional term that can mean a Triassic age red clay or Permian age red shale. We have a term for a calcic soil horizon called “caliche” in the southwestern United States. Caliche is a near-surface calcrete, often described as duripan or hardpan. There is a mechanical science to drilling, but to be able to drill successfully is an acquired art form. For many drillers, the drilling language is acquired by exposure beginning from the first time they stepped up on the rig floor as a green hand or weevil. Terminology is passed on from driller to helper as they develop a working relationship within the drill crew. (Previous page) Example of a drilling log and a drilled cuttings sample. (Photo by Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG) Twitter @WaterWellJournl

Watching an experienced drilling crew handle a rig is much like watching a well-rehearsed orchestra. J.A. Udden expressed it well in his book Aids to Identification of Geological Formations in 1918: By long experience many drillers learn to distinguish, generally quite correctly, the three principal classes of sediments in which most of their work is done, such as shale or clay, sandstone, and limestone. The most experienced drillers in any locality have, also, expert knowledge of what we call the “key rocks” of the field in which they work. . . . This knowledge of rocks is mostly taught from mouth to mouth, by the head driller to his helpers, entirely without any other guidance than the limited experience of each driller.

Taming the Beast

formation tops and drilling breaks were composed of.

Much the same can be said for the green field geoscientist, who is bombarded with all the activities surrounding the drill site and having to log the endless stream of cuttings and samples, all the while trying to make sense of the subsurface and keeping track of the drill depth. Pope explains how he aids entrylevel field employees: One of the things I usually give new geologists is a cheat sheet, which lists in order of importance the various soil characteristics to be looking for. This helps create a thinking rhythm to help organize your thoughts and observations while logging, and speeds up the logging descriptions.

The driller has a distinct advantage when it comes to logging the formation contact intervals. An observant driller can detect a formation change long before the cuttings surface. They will start screening cuttings, looking for the break

I have had the pleasure of being in the drilling business on the driller’s step as well as a geoscientist and have witnessed the difficulties of this complex relationship from both sides. Starting out as a green driller, A driller has to make a near the rig can be an almost oversplit-second determination of the whelming beast. I have seen many a seasoned helper get the “deer in formation material, log it, and the headlight look” when you tell move on to the next operation. them to step up to the controls. When you finally get to operate your own rig, it can still be pretty to arrive. One of the major disadvantough to navigate the complexities of tages is the lack of time to study the managing the machine, the crew, site material. Drilling is an ever-changing safety, and logging the formation as it event. Nothing stays the same for long. comes out of the ground. Martin R. Straub, a licensed Texas Greg W. Pope, PG, a senior project and New Mexico master driller, demanager, geologist, and environmental scribes how through a lifetime of interconsultant, expresses his early experiaction with industry professionals he ence as a driller by saying: has developed his logging skills: I had the good fortune of working with an onsite consulting geologist that explained the formations and materials we were drilling through to me. My interest in identifying subsurface formations and materials continued as I worked up to a driller, and I would have my derrick man bring me samples of the cuttings to see what the

The first samples I learned to log were from a field geologist on a project for the city of Midland (Texas). I took samples for him and he gave me a rudimentary course of what I should be putting on my logs. That introduction is where I developed the basis of the way I log today.

FIELD NOTES continues on page 42

WWJ May 2014 䡲 41

FIELD NOTES from page 41 The way I log today has changed a lot from when I first started because I did not realize then how important the logs are or how many other people look at and reference them for other purposes. I have had other people whom I otherwise would not know comment to me, “I like using your log because they show depth to groundwater and you show clear and accurate breaks in the formation.” The more experience I gained, the more I realized how important those well logs can be. I myself have reviewed other driller logs with hopes of utilizing them to gain information and unfortunately found them inadequate. One of the ways I have utilized over the years to gain better knowledge is through field guidance to compare what I see coming out of the hole with the field geologists.

During the drilling process, a driller has to make a near split-second determination of the formation material, log it, and move on to the next operation. Green drillers can write maybe a few words of description about key features per major formation break, but an experienced driller develops a certain shorthand and can describe color, density, structure, rock or soil type, and even moisture content on a surprisingly close scale. Fletcher Driscoll stated in his second edition of Groundwater and Wells some of the basic logging requirements of the driller: The most common type of lithologic log consists of the driller’s description of the geologic character of each formation, the depth at which changes were observed, the thickness of the formation, and the depth to water. Ideally, the driller should collect representative samples at measured depths and at interval that will show the complete lithologic character of the formations penetrated.

Pope goes on to give the following advice to struggling geo-professionals when it comes to creating an efficient well log: Have in your mind a sequence of characteristics you need to identify, and describe the material according to this sequence each time. Certainly do not overlook any additional characteristics you may encounter, but use this sequence to organize your thoughts

42 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Example of a field stratigraphic log produced from a geologic log and driller’s log. (Image by Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG) and descriptions. It will also speed up your logging because we all know that another sample is coming up fast.

Listening to the Drill If a person is observant when working near a drilling rig, they can feel vibrations and hear many different sounds. Once you have worked on and around a rig, each sound and vibration takes on specific meanings. Sometimes those sensory inputs may seem intuitive, but other times their meaning can be more subtle. Every drilling rig is different and makes different distinctive sounds when working. The driller becomes in tune with the rig they operate. To the experienced driller, almost every sound and vibration of the rig is a tell-tale sign of a specific operation. The vibration of the rig is felt in your feet and lower back. As the drill stem turns, the drill bit cuts into the formation, sending an oscillatory vibration up the drill stem. Each formation has a specific vibration and

formation contacts can be felt as the bit passes through. Log terminology is often a relationship between the way the rig feels as much as the characteristics of the formation. I have often heard a formation described as “buttery.” The image is very clear, akin to using one’s finger to drill into butter. A geologist would describe the same as being “plastic.” High plasticity is often associated with clays. In clay, the rig will have a smooth vibration and the penetration rate will slow. The whole rig can develop a very lethargic feel when drilling through clays. Each formation has a signature feel. Hard formations have significant vibratory feedback. As the density of the formation changes, so too does the sound of the engines. The engines will load and unload as horsepower is pulled from the engines to turn the drill stem. The sound of the engines and the oscillatory vibration of the stem create a response and feedback loop to aid the driller in

FIELD NOTES continues on page 44

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FIELD NOTES from page 42

Parting Thoughts

developing an internal image of the boring within the mind’s eye. The sound of the drill stem is often a primary source for formation interpretation for the field geologists. In conjunction with drilled samples, a good field geologist will listen to the ringing and vibration of the drill stem during the drilling process to aid in their interpretation of downhole conditions for developing good geological logs. Unfortunately, many entry-level field geologists often create logs based only on the material they see in the sample and not as the material may exist in formation. They often fail to take account of the density of the formation by neglecting to combine sample information with the operation of the drilling rig. Solely logging samples based on the Unified Soil Classification System without combining information obtained during the drilling process can lead to disastrous consequences in the design and engineering phase of subsurface projects.

Effective communication between professions is an important and necessary process. Developing and using skills to communicate with a uniform language is essential. As contractors, we must strive to learn and develop language skills to more closely resemble those of the established geological community. As geoscientists, we need to realize that for many contractors we are their sole source of standardized geologic information. We should strive to assist contractors in the development of their geological communication skills. Straub has an effective method he says he uses for his drilling and logging endeavors: Before you ever go to the site, try to get some site history. Utilize geologic maps and well logs for the surrounding area to help calibrate what you expect to see in the cuttings.

There is a wealth of subsurface information locked in driller logs. As a groundwater professional, to better understand and interpret driller logs it is

important to review published works on the local geology and learn the regional and local drilling terms. Local drillers are often an untapped resource for local and regional geological information. WWJ

References Driscoll, Fletcher G., Ph.D. 1986. Groundwater and Wells, Second Edition. St. Paul, Minnesota: Johnson Division. Pope, Greg, PG. 2014. Interview by the author. February 28, 2014. Straub, Martin R. 2014. Interview by the author. March 9, 2014. Udden, J.A. 1918. Aids to Indentification of Geological Formations. Austin, Texas: The University of Texas at Austin. Raymond L. Straub Jr., PG, is the president of Straub Corp. in Stanton, Texas, a Texas-registered geoscience firm and specialized groundwater services firm. He is a Texas-licensed professional geoscientist and holds master driller licenses in Texas and New Mexico and a master pump installer license in Texas. He can be reached at raymond@straubcorporation.com.

Spotlight the best in the groundwater industry! Submit your NGWA award nomination today. NGWA® awards, presented annually, spotlight those whose contributions through service, innovation, research, safety, and projects of scientific and technological importance advance the growth and well-being of the groundwater industry. Submit your nomination today to recognize those in the groundwater industry who deserve to be spotlighted in 2014! Nominations are due June 1, 2014.

www.NGWA.org/Awards 44 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

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SAFETY MATTERS

MACHINE SHOP SAFETY Serious accidents can happen in your shop, so make sure you have a safety program in place. GARY GANSON, CIH, CSP

achine shops are full of hazards. A majority of the injury sites and OSHA violations I observe when I audit facilities take place in maintenance and machine shops. A well drilling company’s maintenance shop likely has metal fabricating and wood working using rotational machines such as lathes and milling machines, grinders, drills and saws. Not to mention overhead cranes or lifting devices, and hydraulic presses. All told, the potential for workers to be injured is very real.

Associated Hazards Workers are exposed to hazards in machine shops on a daily basis. This is evident in the OSHA logs that show the greatest number of amputations are recorded as having occurred in maintenance shops. My first job while in college was working in a metal fabricating shop. The older workers bore scars on their hands. Some had missing fingers. All this resulted from poorly guarded equipment and poor training. There is no excuse today for anyone to be injured while working in a maintenance shop. Everyone in the groundwater industry is familiar with the hazards involved with well drilling. There might, however, be a tendency to think once the worker leaves the drill site and returns to the company’s facility, they’re back in a safe zone. But workers need to be just as conscious of hazards when doing repairs in the shop as they are when they’re drilling in the field. In the building— and the machine shop in particular— it’s tempting to relax and take things for granted. Complacency, though, is a 46 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

safety awareness concern. If we let down our guard and our awareness of the hazards within the shop, we risk injury to ourselves or others. Here is a short list of hazards associated with machine shops:

their breathing zone, allowing them to inhale metals. The machine shop should have a good extraction system to remove any fumes away from the welders’ breathing zone. During welding or hot work, the company should have a hot work permit program in place. The rule of thumb is no combustibles within 35 feet of the welding. If any are closer, make sure the combustibles are covered with a fireretardant material to protect them from sparks. Your machine shop should have up-to-date and adequate ABC multipurpose fire extinguishers—easily accessible and checked monthly. OSHA requires extinguishers every 75 feet, but local fire codes might have different specifications.

• Lifting and other ergonomic issues. • Guards on rotational devices, lathes, drill presses, saws, and grinders. Don’t be tempted to use equipment that no longer has guards, kill switches, or lock-out capability. • Heat, metal fumes, and UV radiation from welding or oxyacetylene cutting work. • Solvents used to clean equipment and fluids that cool and protect metal. If using caustic acids or solvents that could damage the eyes or skin, the machine shop should have a quickProtective Equipment rinse or eye-wash station, or at a minimum a rinse bottle. The emAn important part of protection ployer should contract with a against machine shop hazards is proper company that will remove spent solvents from the shop so they don’t end up being dumped There’s nothing wrong with down a drain or on the ground. annual refresher training • Hydraulic presses for punching out or pressing in bearings. for everyone—especially • Electrical shock. Any equipon PPE, lock out/tag out, ment that is permanently fixed and hazardous materials and can’t be unplugged should be lock out/tag out compliant. they come in contact with.

Hot Work Metal fumes from welding are always considered dangerous for employees. Doing welding of any type or hot work can create an aerosol effect on metal particles that can then be inhaled. Any kind of welding work on stainless steel can produce hexavalent chrome, a cancer-causing byproduct. Welders are usually looking down right at the point of the weld and the fumes pass through

selection and use of personal protective equipment. The most important PPE is eye protection. Hearing protection, gloves, face shields, hoods, jackets, and safety boots are all necessary too. Bear in mind some machine shop equipment produces noises loud enough to damage hearing, heavy objects fall, and hands get exposed to sharp or jagged objects. It is also critical to wear gloves when

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working in the machine shop and to match the right gloves for the task. The exception to this is when using rotational devices—they can catch on gloves! Welding safety in the machine shop includes selecting and correctly wearing the right helmet and right shade of glass for the type of welding required. New technology helps take most of the guesswork out of finding the right shade, but make sure your helmet is appropriate for the type of welding or oxyacetylene work being performed. If a respirator is necessary in the machine shop, a respiratory protection program is required that includes medical monitoring, fit testing of the respirator, and training. Many times I have walked into a maintenance shop and observed a respirator hanging by its straps over a nail on a wall, dirty with spent filters. Use of an abused respirator like this offers little if any protection to a person trying to wear it. They must be clean, stored properly, and appropriate for the hazard to provide protection to the employee.

Proper Training Any employee who steps foot in a maintenance or machine shop should have the right training to increase and heighten their safety awareness. The training must relate to the work surroundings so that workers can recognize hazards, manage them, and take preventive steps to protect themselves and others. Training should address the recognized and potential hazards such as lock out/tag out, hearing protection, eye protection, glove use, electrical safety, and awareness of tripping hazards or spills. Part of the safety training program for the machine shop should emphasize that employees know how to wear PPE correctly. For instance, I can’t tell you how many times people tell me they’re wearing hearing protection, but I can see the hearing protection device resting in their outer ear and not providing any protection at all. If employees typically wear glasses to correct a vision problem, they should be outfitted with corrected safety glasses that might include bifocal correction to increase their close-up visual sharpness. Twitter @WaterWellJournl

Manage Safety at Your Company The health of employees in your company is critical as it can impact production, morale, and eventually, revenue. Making sure each employee returns home safely each night is important too. One way to help ensure that is with a properly organized safety program designed specifically for those working in the groundwater industry. The National Ground Water Association has published a program titled Model Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manual. It is a CD and can be viewed on a computer or printed and stored in a three-ring binder. It also contains a version that can be edited so specific company information can be added. The manual contains sections on having a code of safe work practices, inspection and auditing, incident and accident reporting, confined space operations, electrical safety, employee training, fire prevention, fall prevention, hazard communication, hearing conservation, and respiratory protection. The manual is designed to promote safe practices and reduce worker injuries, potential fatalities, and financial loss. Go to the bookstore at NGWA’s website at www.NGWA.org for more information. Training in relation to welding is a category all its own. Welders require special training to be able to identify the type of metal they’re working and the hazards that go with welding that specific metal. For some areas like hearing and respiratory protection, OSHA has standards requiring training on an annual basis. For other safety areas, training should be repeated as often as necessary—such as after a change in materials, solvents, or other equipment—to ensure workers remain aware of the hazards. There’s nothing wrong with annual refresher training for everyone—especially on PPE, lock out/tag out, and hazardous materials they come in contact with. All new employees need to have introductory training, even if they are veterans in the industry, as there is no guarantee their previous safety training was adequate. Make sure the machine shop safety training is effective. Follow up by asking for immediate feedback from workers to be sure they understand what the training is trying to convey. During an OSHA inspection, you can rest assured employees will be questioned on their depth of understanding to gauge whether the safety training they’ve received has been effective. The safety training program for the machine shop should be written into the company’s general safety and training program. I would also recommend when documenting that the safety training has

been conducted, these logs be kept for an indefinite period of time. It’s easy for someone to make an allegation against an employer 10 years down the road that they didn’t receive safety training which has led to a medical condition. Lock out/tag out also has to be a written program that includes training, and each piece of equipment must have its own individual protocol for lock out. Machine shop safety boils down to making sure precautions are taken to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace for all workers and everyone goes home safe and sound. There are a number of resources to assist in this endeavor—and many of them, like OSHA consultation services, are free. Encourage employees to speak up if they have questions or concerns. Every company should be wide open to improving the safety of everyone in the machine shop and in the workplace at large. At the end of the workday each and every person—owners, drillers, helpers, office staff, old and new employees— deserves a workplace that is safe and healthy to work in. WWJ Gary Ganson, a certified industrial hygienist and certified safety professional, is a senior consultant for Terracon in Lenexa, Kansas.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 47

PEOPLE AT WORK

AVOIDING AGE DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE Make sure your company is following all the rules for older workers. ALEXANDRA WALSH

ge discrimination is adverse or unfavorable work treatment of an employee based on a class or category that the employee belongs to (for example, an employee over the age of 40) rather than on the employee’s individual merit.

The Overriding Law People who are age 40 and older are protected from employment discrimination based on age by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The ADEA’s protections apply to both employees and job applicants. Age discrimination is prohibited in any term, condition, or privilege related to employment, and includes the following areas related to employment.

Job Postings The ADEA generally makes it unlawful to include age preferences, limitations, or specifications in job notices or advertisements. A notice or advertisement may specify an age limit only in the rare circumstances where age is shown to be a “bona fide occupational qualification”—a work requirement reasonably necessary to the normal performance of a job.

Pre-Employment Inquiries The ADEA does not specifically prohibit an employer from asking an applicant what their age or date of birth is. All the same, because such questions may deter older workers from applying for employment or may otherwise indicate a possible intent to discriminate based on age, requests for age information will be closely scrutinized to make sure the question was asked for a lawful purpose, rather than for a purpose that is prohibited by the ADEA. 48 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Apprenticeship Programs It is generally unlawful for apprenticeship programs—including joint labor-management programs—to discriminate on the basis of an individual’s age. Age limitations in apprenticeship programs are valid only if they fall within certain specific exceptions under the ADEA or if the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission grants a specific exemption.

Hiring Requiring the age of applicants must only be for a bona fide occupational qualification. This means the employer must demonstrate that asking for an applicant’s age is a reasonable question that is essential to the operation of the business.

Benefits The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 amended the ADEA to specifically prohibit employers from denying benefits to employees over age 40. But the law recognized the cost of providing certain benefits to older workers is greater than the cost of providing those same benefits to younger workers. The law recognized those greater costs would create a disincentive to hire older workers. Therefore, in limited circumstances, an employer may be permitted to reduce benefits based on age—as long as the cost of providing the reduced benefits to older workers is the same as the cost of providing benefits to younger workers.

Other Categories Other areas to be aware of where age discrimination is prohibited in any term, condition, or privilege related to employment are:

• • • • • • • • • • •

Interviews Job descriptions Salaries Job assignments Merit increases Performance management and evaluation Training Disciplinary actions Promotions or demotions Employment termination and layoffs Employment buyouts and other exit incentive programs.

Any action an employer takes that unfavorably affects a disproportionate number of employees over age 40 is also age discrimination. In fact, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: The ADEA allows employers to favor older workers based on age even when doing so adversely affects a younger worker who is 40 or younger.

The ADEA also prohibits age discrimination among employees who are older than 40. By way of example, a 60year-old employee may not be discriminated against in favor of a 50-year-old employee. It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on age; for filing an age discrimination charge; for testifying or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under the ADEA. The ADEA, and its age discrimination prohibitions, applies to all private employers who have 20 or more employees. The law applies to federal, state, and local governments. Age discrimination is also prohibited by employment agencies and labor organizations.

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Waiver of ADEA Rights An employer may ask an employee to waive his or her rights or claims under the ADEA, either in the settlement of an ADEA administrative or court claim or in connection with an exit incentive program or other employment termination program. However, the ADEA, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, sets out specific minimum standards that must be met in order for a waiver to be considered knowing and voluntary and, therefore, valid. Among other requirements, a valid ADEA waiver must: • Be in writing and be understandable • Specifically refer to ADEA rights or claims • Not waive rights or claims that may arise in the future • Be in exchange for valuable consideration • Advise the individual in writing to consult an attorney before signing the waiver • Provide the individual at least 21 days to consider the agreement and at least seven days to revoke the agreement after signing it. If an employer requests an ADEA waiver in connection with an exit incentive program or other employment termination program, the minimum requirements for a valid waiver are more extensive.

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The Age Discrimination in Employment Act has been in effect for almost 50 years now. So there is no excuse for any employer not to be aware of the law’s restrictions. When it comes to older workers, make sure your company knows the law and is following all the rules. WWJ Alexandra Walsh is the vice president of Association Vision, a Washington, D.C.–area communications company. She has extensive experience in management positions with a range of organizations.

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WWJ May 2014 䡲 49

ENGINEERING YOUR BUSINESS

WORKING—AND HAVING FUN— WITH TEST METERS The important tool has changed dramatically over the years. ED BUTTS, PE, CPI

thought this should help kick off another season, so we’re going to outline many of the various types of electrical test meters most of us have used at one time or another in the last 40 years. I’ll describe some of them I grew up working with. Test meters—perhaps no other part of the water well and pump business has demonstrated more radical changes over the many years I’ve worked in the industry. When I began in 1974, there were a few tried and proven meters we (mostly I) were told to use for troubleshooting well pumps, especially submersible pumps. I rigidly adhered to that instruction for a while, but the restless nature of youth combined with my need for what I considered to be “really neat and cool” eventually got the best of me. New electronic gadgets and the introduction of new and improved instruments for diagnosing and troubleshooting electrical systems led me down the path of spending money, often with questionable results or returns. So let’s explore the rich history of electrical test meters and examine 40 years of improvements in testing equipment and try to answer that one question: Are they really that much better today? Disclaimer here. Before we get started, I want to say the information contained in this column is for the sole benefit and education of individuals who are trained and experienced with using electrical test meters on high and low voltage AC and DC electrical circuits. As is always the case when working around electrical power supplies and circuits, safety is the paramount consideration! The information contained here has been formulated from the personal experiences and background of the author and shall not be construed as any endorsement or recommendation of or for any particular instrument or method. The use of any information contained within this column shall be at the sole risk and responsibility of the reader.

The Good Ole Days As a confirmed and official old-timer, I feel I more than qualify to voice my opinion on the changes we have seen in electrical testing equipment over the past four decades. My experience has certainly included the revolution we have seen in digitally based electronic equipment—along with the resulting loss of some pretty fine and still usable analog test equipment. I nonetheless cannot claim to have firsthand experience with all the various types of electrical test gear that was available and used during the 1950s and 1960s. 50 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Since submersible well pumps were just starting to gain popularity in the 1950s, most well pumps such as vertical turbine, jet, and rod pumps were still largely mechanical in design and configuration. Repair, troubleshooting, and electrical test meters were largely confined to using instruments that would simply verify AC voltage was or was not present at or around fuses or circuit breakers, irrespective of the actual voltage. This explains why I often watched one of the truly best pumpmen I ever worked with (an excellent pump diagnostician) use something as stupid and dangerous as an ordinary light bulb socket attached to a two-wire lead with bare ends to check voltage. He used a 230-volt bulb and gauged the voltage level by the light intensity of the bulb when connected to a power supply (sort of like an Uncle Fester creation). This procedure worked reasonably well for 120- and 240-volt applications for many years. However, on those occasions when he happened to accidentally connect the leads to a 480-volt source, the bulb would quickly make a few sputtering noises, overheat, and then shatter in his hands. Normally, he would simply laugh it off and install a new bulb in the socket. Just another cost of doing business, he would state. Obviously, I won’t endorse any type of voltage testing instrument or procedure such as this. My purpose in writing about it is to show even stupid ideas can still work, even if dangerously. When I started to work in electrical troubleshooting, I immediately knew I wanted no part of this “Rube Goldberg” type of contraption and decided I would stick with safer methods developed by professionals. After examining the various test methods available for checking voltage (as well as what I had in my wallet), I settled on a simple old-time voltage tester developed by Square D manufacturing. This device was better known in the electrical industry by its adopted name of a “Wiggy” (Figure 1). It is still made (I still use it) and is an excellent, easy to read, and safe instrument for verifying the presence and level of AC and DC voltages. It is a low-cost (less than $100), compact, and portable instrument with permanent test leads that fits easily into a back pocket, a tool pouch, or bag and is extremely rugged. I quickly adopted a Wiggy as my primary method for quick voltage checks.

Starting Out Based on discussions with some of the older-timers in the pump business I used to work with, the two must-have meters

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Figure 1. Square D voltage tester, the “Wiggy”

Figure 2. “Old time” electrical testers

in their tool boxes back then were often an amp/volt meter and an ohmmeter, or as frequently, a megohmmeter or “megger.” True troubleshooting of submersible pump motors or controls was often something the older-timers did not wish to tackle. They would often limit their diagnosis to amp and voltage testing and verifying the motor’s insulation resistance by using an old style megohmmeter. My two original test meters consisted of an old crank type 500 VDC megger and a General Electric clamp style volt-amp meter (Figure 2). These were my first test meters because they were what was left over in our shop. My baptism in the use of electrical testers happened with the crank megohmmeter on my first day. One of the well drillers, sure he had found a snot-nosed kid needing an education, decided to teach me a lesson I have never forgotten to this day. Just after starting work he brought out the megohmmeter, which happened to be identical to the model shown in Figure 2, and asked me to help him “calibrate” the meter. While a group of guys snickered, he proceeded to connect the two leads into each side of the meter and then asked me to grab onto the clip ends of the leads. A little voice was saying to me, “Whoa, Nellie!” But a quick onceover of the meter convinced me there was no power source attached to it and handling the ends of the leads did not immediately cause me any discomfort. So I figured, “Maybe he really needs me to help him calibrate this thing.” The minute my two hands were firmly attached to the ends of the leads, my newfound pal quickly started turning the

crank and 500 volts of high quality DC power raced through the leads into both my hands, up my arms, and came out “you know where!” To this day, counting all the zips, zaps, and shocks I have received over the years from AC power supplies up to 480 volts, the two most significant shocks I’ve ever received were from DC power. First, the jolt I received from this megohmmeter. And second, a zap I got while reattaching a spark plug wire back onto the plug while my truck was on the side of the road with the engine running. (Yeah, I know now how dumb that was!) Although I used those same three test meters—my Wiggy, GE amp/volt meter, and megger—as my primary electrical testing meters through my first summer in the field, there were problems. The GE meter was large and bulky, was not accurate, and was hard to keep calibrated. I quickly grew tired of the large clamp on it as I continually had nothing but problems trying to fit it over wires in control boxes to read amps. In addition, I couldn’t use the megger to troubleshoot control box components and motor windings. So as early as 1974, I decided there had to be better test meters for me out there.

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Time Marches On Although I gained considerable experience using those first three meters, they were extremely limited in troubleshooting ability and I decided to seek out alternative meters. My employer at the time, my father, was far too cheap to purchase ENGINEERING continues on page 52

WWJ May 2014 䡲 51

Figure 3. Simpson model 221 VOM “Roto Ranger”

Figure 4. Amprobe RS-3

ENGINEERING from page 51

that has been consistently cited in the Franklin service manuals over the years as the primary test meter for checking motor winding and insulation resistance, and control box components. Irrespective of the expensive 30-volt battery you must periodically open up the case to replace, I think the Simpson 372 is the best submersible motor troubleshooting meter you can buy, hands down. Since I mentioned Franklin Electric, let’s talk about its contribution to the world of electrical test meters. All of my readers can attest I believe Franklin Electric is truly one of the finest manufacturers of water well related equipment in the industry. Their contribution to advancing technology and submersible motor design can’t be disputed. That’s not to say, however, they haven’t tripped up a few times. As far as electrical testing meters are concerned, Franklin’s primary contribution and their resultant failure was the analog resistance test meter known as the Subcheck. When this device came out around 1975-76, I had to have one. Finally those of us in the pump business would have a test meter of our very own, designed and built to troubleshoot submersible motors and control boxes. By nothing more than connecting up the two test leads and pressing a button, I believed we would be able to show our customers when their motors were either good or bad. They would finally get to see for themselves by witnessing the positioning of the needle on either the “Good” or “No Good” scales. I still remain convinced the concept was good and wish we had something like it now, but the meter itself wasn’t too good. For example, the needle could not be locked down, which made holding an accurate calibration after bouncing along in a service truck problematic. There was no way to check voltage or amp draw, severely limiting the versatility of the meter. There was a little button on the top of the case that had to be pushed down and held while obtaining a reading— meaning you really needed three hands to use it. The needle took what seemed like forever to swing into its read position, it was far too sensitive as all ohmmeters are subject to damage from charged capacitors, and there was no protective case pro-

what I truly needed for pump service (after all, it could have cost him $50). So instead I searched around our shop and came up with another gem: an old early-generation volt/ohm meter (VOM), charitably known as a multimeter. My dad actually tried to sound magnanimous and as if he was doing me a favor by giving me this meter, although I would have to buy the batteries it needed. This instrument, a Simpson Roto Ranger (Figure 3), I whined in mock gratitude had to be what was used to troubleshoot steam engines and telegraphs back in the 1800s. The meter was fairly large, heavy, and bulky but with a small display window contained in a case resembling a fullsize suitcase. It had a single range dial with five test ports that allowed me to check out more electrical values than I knew even existed at the time. If I had ever thought the GE clamp meter was bulky and heavy, the Roto Ranger quickly convinced me the GE meter was nothing. So now I finally had a meter I could use to check relay coils and motor windings. But the Roto Ranger didn’t have a scale capable of checking insulation resistance on sub motors, which made it far too limited. I soon threw it aside and purchased the two meters I use to this day as my primary test meters: an Amprobe model RS-3 (Figure 4) and a Simpson model 372 ohmmeter (Figure 5). Of course, I recognize many of you have converted to using digital test meters, such as those made by Extech or Fluke. Still, I’m the kind of guy that likes to go home with the same woman I brung to the dance, so I stay loyal to the meters that have worked well for me for many years. The Amprobe RS-3 is a rugged, accurate, and versatile meter for checking AC volts and amps and it remains my top meter. The only downside is the ohmmeter probe they include with the RS-3 model. It is not accurate, requires a battery, and is only good for quickly checking fuses. The Simpson 372 ohmmeter is the undisputed king of test meters for submersible pump motors. In fact, it is the meter 52 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

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Figure 5. Simpson 372 ohmmeter

Figure 6. Fluke 302 clamp meter

vided with the meter. But even with all of these drawbacks, I used my Subcheck for more than a year until it finally blew up one day when my helper inadvertently connected the leads to a live power source. Even with all this talk about analog meters, that is not to say I do not have or use digital meters. I actually have quite a collection of them, mostly Fluke, that I regularly use for testing sophisticated and complex control circuits such as low and high voltage DC and milliamp/millivolt controls, SCADArelated circuits, and variable frequency motor drives. These include such meters as the Fluke 302 clamp meter (Figure 6), or the ever popular and versatile Fluke 87V multi-

meter (Figure 7). Both are largely used to verify values of true RMS (root mean square) voltages and amperes in VFDs and controls circuits. I own a personalized and see-through Fluke model 87 the firm was gracious enough to send me for helping them with product testing and design, but I admit I almost never use it for fear I will burn it up. In our current world of electronic devices, such as VFDs and solid-state controls, the use of a digital meter for calibration and troubleshooting purposes is almost required. Beyond the assortment of volt/ohm meter style of digital equipment, ENGINEERING continues on page 54

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ENGINEERING from page 53 I also use a 1000/500/250VDC megohmmeter for checking the high voltage values of insulation resistance on various electrical devices, a portable oscilloscope/waveform meter for checking electrical sine waves associated with reduced voltage motor drives, and a specialized meter used to generate or read the multitude of process variable signals such as milliamp or millivolt circuits commonly used in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control systems. Each of these meters has a definite and individual capability and we maintain them all for transport and use at a momentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s notice. The basic difference, though, is what rides along with me in my vehicle. Those are the meters I trust, need, and use the most. Once again, there are mainly two: the RS-3 Amprobe and the Simpson 372 ohmmeter. Please feel free to write in and regale me with any stories regarding your personal history of test meters. Until next month, work safe and smart. WWJ Ed Butts, PE, CPI, is the chief engineer at 4B Engineering & Consulting, Salem, Oregon. He has more than 35 years experience in the water well business, specializing in engineering and business management. He can be reached at epbpe@juno.com.

Figure 7. Fluke 87V multimeter

Groundwaterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future depends on todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students. Meet Joshua Olson, a student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the 2013 Past President Award scholarship recipient of the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Len Assante Scholarship fund. Olsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appreciation for water began when he traveled halfway around the world on a disaster relief trip to western China, pictured here, followed by a subsequent trip to Tanzania. The trips â&#x20AC;&#x153;helped me realize that I like helping with peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s physical needsâ&#x20AC;Śand water on a very fundamental level is one of the most critical needs you can meet. My big goal for going into hydrogeology is helping out overseas.â&#x20AC;? NGWREFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Len Assante Scholarship fund helps students, such as Olson, fulfill their dreams of ensuring future generationsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; access to adequate water supplies by annually awarding undergraduate scholarships to assist those studying groundwater-related fields. You can help by making a donation today.

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THE AFTER MARKET

FUTURE JOBS How will you stay in business without talented people in it? RON SLEE

ome of you have become sensitized to the fact there is a serious transition taking place in the American workplace. There are going to be 79 million people leaving the workforce between 2010 and 2030—the most highly educated workforce in the history of the world. And this many people are going to retire. I have a simple question for you: Where are you going to find their replacements? I know many of you have looked at high school graduates, technical schools, and universities for staff. I also know the quality of the individual graduating in the past 10 or so years isn’t anywhere near ready for prime time. The schools, particularly high schools and universities, seem to have lost the way. Education seems to be more about school boards and teachers and less about students. Does anyone care schools are supposed to develop people with skills that can be applied to jobs?

The unemployment rate for the ages of 16-25 in America today is disgraceful. It is even worse when you consider there are about 8 million jobs unfilled right now. Talk about losing hope. Imagine having graduated from high school or a university and going on job interviews, only to be told over and over you don’t have the skills companies are looking for. I remember those days. I came out of school in 1968 when there was an economic slowdown. I was told I had everything some companies were looking for, but they didn’t have a job for me. It was not a good time and it’s no better today. Okay, now I want you to flash forward 10 years and tell me what is going to be different. What is going to make this better?

New Types of Training

We have been in the management training business for nearly 30 years now with Quest Learning Centers Each of you needs to determine and I taught at a university for six years early in my work life. the skill sets of the employees I have heard a lot of people give lip service to workforce educayou need to hire to perform tion. I am seeing less action in the services your customer employee development than at any time in my 45-year career. requires from you. One of the associations I am involved with asks each member comWhen I see upgraded curriculums pany to provide 40 hours of training for that focus on life skills and upgraded each of their employees every year. That reading lists aimed at understanding is a noble objective. What is your goal? diversity, I wonder how these skills We offer management training in enhance the ability of students to be classrooms, through webinars, and soon able to perform for work. I wonder how via the Internet with self-study proall of this will allow a higher level of grams through Quest. There seems to productivity in the workplace. The be somewhat of a renaissance for classanswer is quite simple. They don’t. room training—attendance is nearly Schools have been hijacked and it’s back to the 2007 level. time something is done about it. 56 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Webinars were thought to be the Holy Grail in learning a few years ago in that businesses could provide training and feel good about their commitment to staff development by way of an inexpensive learning vehicle. But as a teacher I question the value of this form of learning. All I know is someone is in a room, listening to me talk, and looking at a slide show. Are they learning? We provide before and after checklists for the student to complete and the results show they know the answers to the questions. But I wonder if they retain it. I wonder if they will apply the learning. I will be interested to see the results from the self-study programs as there will be much more intensive questions and tests along the way.

Start Planning for Future Staffs It is really quite simple, isn’t it? Each of you needs to determine the skill sets of the employees you need to hire to perform the services your customer requires from you. Each of you needs to do an evaluation of the staff you currently employ and the demographics. Then you need to plan for the next 20 or 30 years. I moved from Montreal to Vancouver in 1980 to take a management job. I fit the profile of the individual they were seeking—I was in my 30s. They were hiring skills and age groups so they would have a logical progression of management for the future. Are you thinking in this manner? Should you be? The management consultant Peter Drucker indicated in the 1990s that education was going to have to be taken over by business if the companies wanted to be able to acquire talented waterwelljournal.com

people with useable skills in the future. Was he ever right! Do you need to become more active in developing the skills of your employees? Do you need to be involved with schools and discussing what they can do to help you as well as what you can do to help them? Do you get involved in career days at your local high schools? Do you know the career counselors—at the high schools, technical schools, junior colleges, universities—in your area? Lots of questions, I know. I suggest to you the answers are critical. The time is now. WWJ Ron Slee is the founder of R.J. Slee & Associates in Rancho Mirage, California, a consulting firm that specializes in dealership operations. He also operates Quest Learning Centers, which provides training services specializing in product support, and Insight (M&R) Institute, which operates “Dealer Twenty” Groups. He can be reached at ron@rjslee.com.

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WWJ May 2014 䡲 57

ACT LIKE A SALES PRO

PROGRESS CHECK Are you on track to hit your goals? JULIE HANSEN

ow that it’s almost halfway through the year, it’s time to check in on your progress. Are you on track to hit your goal for sales? If not, do you know what to do to get there? If you’re shaking your head no and saying, “I’m doing all the right actions,” it’s time to look at what is really holding you back—and it may not be the market, the economy, or the competition. In fact, it may be a lot closer to home. Several studies have sought to identify the qualities or traits shared by successful salespeople. It’s helpful to review these occasionally and determine where we may be falling short and create a game plan for acquiring and developing qualities that will get us unstuck. Here’s a list of some of the top 20 sales qualities: assertive, committed, competent, competitive, confident, courageous, creative, curious, disciplined, empathetic, flexible, focused, goal-oriented, likeable, passionate, persistent, positive, resilient, responsible, sincere. While most of us have these traits already in varying degrees, really taking the time to focus on them and develop them can mean the difference between a “So-so” year and a “No kidding!” year. Here are my top picks for qualities to develop and strengthen in 2014. See if you agree: • Persistence • Creativity • Empathy Why did I choose these three in particular? Because persistence with busy hard-to-reach decision-makers, creativity in differentiating your product or service from your competitors, and having true empathy for your prospect’s needs and circumstances are essential for facing the most critical sales challenges of 2014. These include: 58 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

• Connecting with—and getting in front of—busy prospects • Differentiating your solution from a growing number of “Me too” competitors • Helping buyers cross the bridge from “I know what you do.” to “I need what you have!” Here are some simple things you can do to develop these qualities and improve your odds of reaching your goals by the end of the year. If you see other qualities you want to acquire, use these examples as a model for how to create a strategy for improvement.

Persistence

Creativity Competition is only getting stiffer. Coming in with a similar solution presented in a similar manner is a losing strategy. It’s essential to be creative so you can be sure your message stands out and is remembered whenever buying decisions are made. Yet many smart, savvy sellers leave their creativity sitting just outside the customer’s door. Why’s that? Because we’ve been taught and conditioned to repeat the same sales process for decades: Ask open-ended questions (often before customers are ready to open up). Give repetitive agendas like long, boring PowerPoint presentations or step-by-step product demonstrations. If you’re still using selling techniques and presentation skills from the 90s, look around you. The world has

News flash! It’s not going to get any easier to reach busy decision-makers. So be honest. How many attempts do you currently make to get ahold of a live prospect on the phone or in person before moving on to the next There is a lot of money lead? Ten? Five? Two? A widely quoted study at Notre being left on the table for Dame University found 44% of a more persistent competitor all salespeople quit after making that first call. An amazing 94% of to snap up. all salespeople quit after making four calls or less! changed dramatically—that includes But here’s the really interesting the way your buyer absorbs information thing: This same study found that 60% and makes decisions. of all sales are made after the fourth Tell a story, use a prop, make your call. However you do the math, there is a lot of money being left on the table for demonstration more interactive. Get a more persistent competitor to snap up. creative! Don’t just think outside of the box. Get out of the box entirely! How can you develop the quality of persistence? Push yourself out of your Empathy comfort zone by 50%. If you typically We all know buying decisions are give up after four attempts, move the heavily influenced by emotion. Empabar up to six. Make a game of it. Read thy is the ability to identify with or in the smart little book Go For No! by our imagination experience the feelings, Andrea Waltz and start racking up thoughts, or attitudes of another person. those “No’s” so you can get to those Empathy is critical in order to gain a profitable “Yes’s”! customer’s trust and deliver a solution that meets their needs.

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Yet we have less time than ever before to develop the rapport that allows empathy to develop naturally. But you can speed up your ability to understand a potential buyer’s needs and target your solution and message. I suggest a famous acting technique used by actors like Daniel Day-Lewis and Meryl Streep, called the “Magic If.” This acting method helps you step into the shoes of your customer by asking yourself the question: “What if?” For example: What if I were a homeowner suddenly facing a big investment I wasn’t planning on making? What if I were at a home show and presented with a product or service I was unfamiliar with or unaware I might need? How might I feel? What might I want to hear from a salesperson that would put me at ease? Taking the time to practice this exercise will help you get a lot closer to your customer and adjust your message accordingly. And the more we “feel”—as opposed to “know”—about our prospect, the easier it is to establish rapport and understand how we can help them. Good news! You don’t have to master all 20 sales traits this year. Just pick out a few to really focus on developing over the next six months. And who knows, before the end of the year you may be hitting your goals sooner than you thought possible. WWJ Julie Hansen is a professional sales trainer, speaker, and author. She authored the book ACT Like a Sales Pro in 2011 and has been featured in Selling Power, Entrepreneur, and Sales and Service Excellence magazines. She can be reached at julie@actingforsales.com and www.actingforsales .com.

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WWJ May 2014 䡲 59

THE WATER WORKS

ENGINEERING OF WATER SYSTEMS Part 11(c)—The Source: The Well, Part 3 ED BUTTS, PE, CPI

n Part 1, we kicked off an overview of using water wells as potential water sources. We started with the definition of what a water well is, followed by an examination of the various types of aquifers and technical terms used to describe the characteristics of aquifers. In Part 2, we continued this outline of water wells as a water system source with a discussion of the three types of rocks encountered in geology as well as a more defined and precise examination of the various terms for aquifers and how each one relates to the movement and storage of groundwater. In Part 3, we continue the discussion on the use of water wells as water sources. We will begin to shift our focus to the methods and equipment of well construction available along with the terms associated with water wells. Many of the opinions and recommendations are based solely on my personal experience in water system design and may not reflect the judgment of others or even yourself. Therefore, each designer must consider the specific and individual factors involved in their project, use and apply their own experience and judgment accordingly, and then be ready to defend that judgment as it applies to their individual project.

Water Well Terms As a well designer works within the realm of well design, it is imperative they understand the various terms associated with water wells and their definitions. This is needed not only to communicate with others in the industry, but also to have the ability to relate to well logs and other reports regarding groundwater supplies and sources. The following definitions are the most important terms related to the descriptions shown in Figure 1. Static Water Level: The vertical distance from ground surface to the highest free-standing water level in a confined (typically) water well under artesian head that is not currently under pumping conditions. Usually measured in feet below ground surface. Water Table: The vertical distance from ground surface to the highest free-standing water level in an unconfined water well that is not currently under pumping conditions where the free-standing water level is equal to that exerted from atmospheric pressure. Usually measured in feet below ground surface. Pumping Water Level: The vertical distance measured from the ground surface to the lowest water level in a water well during stable pumping conditions. Usually measured in feet below ground surface. Drawdown: A term used to describe the vertical difference between the static water level (for a confined well) or water 60 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

table (for an unconfined well) to the pumping water level in a water well. Usually measured in feet. Steady-State: The stabilized condition of a water well in flow rate, water level measurements, or discharge pressure during sustained pumping conditions. Submergence: The vertical distance between a pump’s inlet (or top of pump, depending on the pump manufacturer) upwards to the lowest pumping water level. Usually measured in feet. Cone of Depression: In an unconfined aquifer, the gradual and actual depression of the water table surrounding a well during steady-state pumping conditions resembles a cone in shape and is measured from the center of the wellbore to the outermost water table elevation. In a confined aquifer, it is the reduction in the pressure (artesian) head surrounding the wellbore during steady-state pumping conditions and is also measured from the center of the wellbore to the outermost static water level elevation. Although it can also resemble a cone in shape, it is usually more affected by aquifer characteristics and is often much steeper and more closely located to the wellbore. Usually measured in feet. Radius of Influence: The radial (lateral) distance from the center of the wellbore to the outermost point of the cone of depression (static water level or water table) where there is no further lowering of the water table (in an unconfined aquifer) or the static water level (in a confined aquifer). This value is often used to characterize well interference and contaminant plume draw potential towards a pumping well. Specific Capacity: A ratio, simply defined as the total output flow rate (usually expressed in gallons per minute) divided by the steady state, or stable drawdown, expressed in feet. Among all the various terms used to describe the functions of a water well, there is perhaps no single term more important or descriptive than this. Shown in equation form: Specific capacity = Well flow rate in gpm Well drawdown in feet The specific capacity is a critical and often used indicator of a well’s efficiency and a common yardstick used to gauge the performance of a well, in both new and old conditions. The proper application and use of specific capacity will be introduced in future discussions. In addition to these defined terms, there are other well or pump terms that should be recognized. Most of these can be understood from simply examining the remaining terms in Figure 1. THE WATER WORKS continues on page 62

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Unconfined aquifer

Confined aquifer

Figure 2. Cable tool drilling method

Figure 1. Typical water well terms THE WATER WORKS from page 60

Water Well Construction Methods and Types

Discounting the older and mostly obsolete well drilling methods (such as dug, driven, and jetted wells), there are currently four primary methods of well drilling equipment available for municipal or engineered water well applications.

1. Cable Tool

The cable tool method (Figure 2) is the oldest well drilling method remaining in common use. Originally developed in concept by the Chinese centuries ago, the method consists of a heavy steel drill bit at the lowest end, often referred to as a “churn” drill bit, along with a string of various tools. These consist of drilling jars for dislodging stuck tools and drill stems for added weight, and are affixed to the bottom of a flexible steel wire-rope cable of a diameter ranging from ⅝-inch up to more than 1 inch. The bit is alternately raised on the cable by a device called a “pitman” arm and allowed to drop up to 36-48 inches to the bottom of the borehole. This reciprocating action results in an interacting contact of the drill bit onto the exposed surface of the formation. Pene62 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

tration rates can exceed 20 feet per day through efficient types of formation. Water is added to drier formations and drilling progress is performed by the crushing and churning forces upon the drilled formation, with the resultant cuttings removed by “bailing” from the wellbore. Well casing is generally added as the well depth is advanced in order to keep the borehole open and straight. This method, although fairly slow in comparison to more modern methods, is nonetheless effective and quite rapid in many types of alluvial sand and gravel, marine sediments, and other unconsolidated formations. The procedure is limited in efficiency—drilling production in most hard rock and semiconsolidated formations, such as sandstone or conglomerate, may have penetration rates of only 2-3 feet per day. Careful control and cable tension must be maintained on the drill string during well advancement to avoid a crooked or misaligned borehole from developing. The practical depth limit for a cable tool is roughly 1000 feet, 6 inches is the minimum diameter, and the maximum diameter that can be drilled is about 48 inches (depending on the depth).

2. Mud Rotary

The mud rotary, direct circulation, method (Figure 3) is one of the most common well drilling methods currently used for unconsolidated and semi-consolidated formations. It is an effective and rapid method for advancing a well borehole through most alluvial and similar types of formations and aquifers (sand and gravel and softer compacted soils). waterwelljournal.com

3. Reverse Circulation

Figure 3. Mud rotary method The method typically relies on using a heavy weight of drilling mud that is kept in constant circulation starting down through the inside of the drill string, out of the drill bit, and up the borehole between the drill string and borehole annulus. Drilling bits are designed to match the type of formation encountered, with drag or “wing” bits used for softer, unconsolidated formations and roller (tricone) bits used for gravels and most unconsolidated formations. Drill cuttings are carried up the borehole with the mud and settled out in a mud pit before the mud starts back down the well. This mud provides the weight necessary to counteract the weight of the formation to keep the borehole open and free from caving. Water or additional drilling fluid (mud) is periodically added to maintain the proper balance of weight and circulation. Careful control of the weight, viscosity, and circulation of the mud must be maintained to prevent a potential “loss of circulation” in highly permeable and porous formations, such as broken rock (basalt), which can result in potential caving, loss of the borehole, and even the drilling tools. Rotation and advancement of the drill string and bit is generally accomplished through transfer of torque and “pulldown” of the drill string at the ground level through a “rotary table.” Thus the term “table drive” is used for most mud rotary rigs. A “kelly” is used for transferring the rotation from the table to the drill string and as the connection to all subsequent sections of drill rod once the borehole has progressed past roughly 20 feet in initial depth. This method is not nearly as effective with hard rock formations, and complete removal of the mud pack on the openings of a well screen is required to prevent a potential loss of well yield. Well diameters are limited to between 8-18 inches with depths exceeding hundreds of feet. Twitter @WaterWellJournl

The reverse circulation method (Figure 4) operates on essentially the same principle as mud rotary, except the mud circulation is now carried downward within the annulus between the drill string and borehole, up into and through the drill bit, and upwards through the drill string to the mud pit where cuttings are removed or settled out. This process is effective in unconsolidated formations, particularly those with large gravels, some medium-sized boulders, and aquifers with high production yields. In recent years the process has been rediscovered by many manufacturers and drillers and is in high use for larger diameter and high production wells. Many of the bits used in reverse circulation drilling are “homemade” or shop fabricated with large openings and drilling faces. Drill string pipe joints are frequently flanged for easier assembly and sizes as large as 6, 8, or even 10 inches. As with the mud rotary method, rotation and advancement of the drill string is typically performed through a table drive apparatus. The reverse circulation method is limited in hard rock formations, and circulation must be carefully monitored and controlled in certain formations to avoid potential caving of the borehole. A recent improvement on the traditional reverse circulation method is the addition of dual-tube reverse circulation drilling. The dual-tube method has distinct advantages over conventional rotary drilling methods as lost circulation in extremely porous formations, common to conventional mud and reverse rotary drilling, is not as risky or likely with dual-tube methods and all of the drilling fluids can be contained, creating less danger for the potential loss of or contamination caused from drilling fluids. The reverse circulation and dualtube drilling methods are primarily used for larger diameter (less than 12-42 inches) water well applications in unconsolidated formations. Finished depths can exceed 1000 feet or more in certain formations.

4. Air Rotary

The air rotary method (Figure 5) uses two primary types of rotational drives: top-head drive and rotary table drive. As is the case with the rotary table drive on a mud rotary, the rotation and pulldown of the drill string is transferred at ground level from the drive table to the drill string and to the bit through a kelly. The top-head drive, on the other hand, is mounted to a carriage attached to the mast and with a full range of travel throughout the length of the mast. The rotational torque is transferred to the drill string from hydraulic motors, usually two, one on each side, attached to the tophead drive and pulldown is applied to the drive assembly from two parallel chain drives, one on each side of the mast. During the drilling procedure, compressed air is injected down the drill string to operate the percussion hammer bit at the bottom of the drill string and carry the drill cuttings and water to the surface. Typical air capacities can range from 500 cubic feet per minute up to more than 1000 cfm with air pressures rated at 125, 250, and 375 psig. Air rotary was once the favored drilling method for hard rock formations, such as basalt and granite only, owing to the advantages gained through the superior penetration rates gained through hard rock formations from use of a downhole THE WATER WORKS continues on page 64 WWJ May 2014 䡲 63

cally limited to the draw works and mast capacity (the rated pulling and pull-down power) of the rig, the air volume capacity, and air pressure capacity of the drilling rig and compressor. In many cases, where inadequate air is available to lift the cuttings and water to the surface, additional air compressor capacity is added to the deck compressor to reinforce the rigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rated capacity. Typical well diameters can range from 6 inches up to more than 18 inches and depths can exceed hundreds of feet.

Sonic Drilling Method

Figure 4. Reverse rotary method THE WATER WORKS from page 63

hammer equipped with carbide or diamond buttons. But recent and significant improvements to the air rotary machine, such as a casing hammer, have drastically increased the versatility and range of the air rotary. They are now found in use in virtually all types of formations, aquifers, well sizes, and depths. Well diameters and depths are typi-

Rate of Penetration:

1 Impossible

2 Difficult

3 Slow

A fairly recent addition to water well drilling equipment is sonic drilling. The sonic drilling technology is based upon the principle of high frequency vibration. The hydraulic motors on the exterior of the head oscillate offset internal weights at speeds reaching 5000 rpm. As a result of the weights being offset, it creates a vibration in excess of 140 hertz. One of the numerous advantages of a sonic rig is its ability to make the soil fluidize. While the soil becomes more fluid-like, a controlled water flow will push the material out of the way. The advantage to this method is the ability to constantly case the borehole after it advances the tooling to the next interval. This minimizes the risk of lodged tool-

4 Medium

5 Rapid

ing below ground surface. If the situation should occur that the override casing begins to get tight, the sonic drill is capable of drilling a larger override casing to reduce the skin friction on the down-the-hole tooling without removal of the already installed drill steel. This allows the sonic drill to maximize its depth capability ranging from 250 feet to 500-plus feet, depending on the situation and diameter.

Decisions of the Well Designer

As a well designer or owner contemplates all the various factors associated with the design of a specific well, it is important to understand the various methods and type of equipment for well construction available in the immediate area of the planned well. The information in Table 1 is intended to provide a general guide of the penetration rates for different methods of well drilling equipment for various geological formations. As with most ventures in life, an informed well designer is usually going to be a good well designer. The outline of well drilling methods that were given is intended for use as a basic selection guide and not for making any final decisions. Researching the local water well contractorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; capabilities, reputation, rig types, sizes, capacities, and background

6 Very Rapid

Table 1. Relative well drilling penetration rates for various geological formations 64 äĄ˛ May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

Include important discussion factors such as the proposed drilling method and rig capacity, the proposed schedule, potential weather or holiday work delays and penalties, payment terms, retainage, dealing with unusual or unforeseen drilling conditions, mobilization and demobilization issues, site and employee safety issues, site access and security, drill cuttings and water/mud disposal/control/containment methods, and well diameter and depth limits. Never use costs as the lone deciding factor on choosing a water well contractor because many so-called cheap wells have ended up costing the owner far more than the original price. We will have a discussion on the various types of well construction and begin the actual design process in our next installment. Until then, keep them pumping. WWJ Figure 5. Air rotary methods and experience is generally the best way to begin the search for a reliable water well source for an engineered water system. Once you have narrowed down the potential firms to a few you feel com-

fortable with, arrange a one-on-one interview and site walkthrough to discuss the specific issues associated with your well project.

Ed Butts, PE, CPI, is the chief engineer at 4B Engineering & Consulting, Salem, Oregon. He has more than 35 years experience in the water well business, specializing in engineering and business management. He can be reached at epbpe@juno.com.

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Coming EVENTS Florida Ground Water Association Annual Convention and Trade Show Orlando, Florida. www.fgwa.org/ convention.php May 1–3

2014 NGWA Groundwater Summit Denver, Colorado.

May 4–7 (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 898-7786, customerservice

@ngwa.org, www.groundwatersummit.org Explore “everything groundwater.” Keep current on theory, research, and practice to remain competitive. Explore solutions to challenges such as tight budgets and increased regulations. Drinking Water Week www.awwa.org/resources-tools/

May 4–10 public-affairs.aspx

Maintaining Water Quality in the Distribution System New Brunswick, New Jersey. www.cpe.rutgers.edu/ courses/current/eo0201ca.html

May 6–7

NGWA Conference on Characterization of Deep Groundwater Denver, Colorado. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org/ DeepGW

May 8

Gain insight on deep groundwater, defined as that beneath the typical depth limits of withdrawals for water supply. Share your ideas, and discuss what can possibly be done to better understand and characterize deep groundwater. 11th International Energy Heat Pump Conference

May 12–16 Montreal, Quebec. www.ieahpc2014.org

Reducing Problematic Concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide in Residential Water Well Systems (online brown bag session). FREE to NGWA members. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 8987786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org

May 14

This session provides comprehensive steps for dealing with hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide in water wells.

June 6–7 water.org

Utah Ground Water Association Professional Education Day and Summer Retreat Moab, Utah. www.utahground

American Water Works Association ACE14 Boston, June 8–12 Massachusetts. www.awwa.org/ACE14

June 9–11 Field Methods: Groundwater Sampling and Analysis

short course Westerville, Ohio. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org Learn sampling strategies and techniques in addition to gaining firsthand experience. Find out how to develop and implement a sampling plan and more.

June 10–14

Canwell 2014 Kelowna, British Columbia. www.canwell2014.com

Residential Water Well Disinfection Following Floods: June 18 Procedures for Water Well System Professionals (online brown bag session). FREE to NGWA members. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org

Reducing Problematic Concentrations of Boron in

July 16 Residential Water Well Systems (online brown bag

session). FREE to NGWA members. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org This session outlines effective practices for mitigating the presence of boron in water well systems. Empire State Water Well Drillers Association Summer

July 17–18 Meeting Alexandria Bay, New York. www.nywell

driller.org

South Atlantic Jubilee Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

July 26–28 www.jubileewatershow.com

Reducing Problematic Concentrations of Fluoride in Residential Water Well Systems (online brown bag session). FREE to NGWA members. (800) 551-7379, fax (614) 8987786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org

August 20

This session summarizes the key steps in assessing and mitigating the presence of fluoride in residential water well systems.

Protect Your Groundwater Day (800) 551-7379, fax

September 9 (614) 898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.NGWA.org/events-education/groundwater-day

Use this day to show how you do your part to protect one of our most important natural resources—groundwater.

October 6–8

National Rural Water Association WaterPro Conference Seattle, Washington. http://nrwa.tumblr.com/waterpro

October 10–11

driller.org

Empire State Water Well Drillers Association Fall Meeting Mount Morris, New York. www.nywell California Groundwater Association Annual

October 16–18 Convention and Trade Show Riverside, California.

wellguy@groundh2o.org

October 19–22

meetings/2014

2014 Geological Society of America Annual Meeting Vancouver, British Columbia. www.geosociety.org/ 2014 NGWA Groundwater Expo and Annual Meeting

December 9–12 Las Vegas, Nevada. (800) 551-7379, fax (614)

898-7786, customerservice@ngwa.org, www.groundwaterexpo.com Attend the largest event in the groundwater industry. See new products in the exhibit hall, learn at the numerous professional development opportunities, and network with peers from all around the world.

*Dates BOXED in red are National Ground Water Association events. *Dates shown with are events where the National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation’s McEllhiney Lecture will be presented. Lecture schedules are subject to change. Check www.NGWA.org for the latest information.

This session provides an account of practical steps to take for water well disinfection following a flood event.

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Industry NEWSMAKERS NEW ADDITION

Grundfos, a global provider of advance pump solutions, appointed Dieter Sauer as president and general manager of its Water Utility Dieter Sauer business, which is headquartered in Aurora, Illinois. In this position, Sauer will oversee and direct all operations in Grundfos’ Water Utility division including the company’s newly opened service center. Sauer has more than 20 years of pump experience and most recently served as president of Pulsafeeder Inc., a manufacturer of chemical metering pumps for municipal water and wastewater, oil and gas, and industrial markets where he led strategic and operating planning processes for sales, marketing, research and development, operations, finance, human resources, quality control, and administrative affairs. AWARDS

The Copper Club has named Southwire President and CEO Stu Thorn its Copper Man of the Year and the 2014 recipient of the club’s coveted Ankh Award. First presented in 1962, the club’s highest honor recognizes outstanding achievement and contributions to the copper industry. Southwire founder Roy Richards Sr. received the award in 1984. Twitter @WaterWellJournl

“There is no greater honor in our industry, and I truly am humbled to be voted Copper Man of the Year by my peers,” Thorn says. “The fact that I join Mr. Richards and other industry giants in receiving this award makes it even more special.” Each year, the club circulates a survey soliciting the names of nominees who have made notable contributions to the copper industry. Members of the Ankh Award Committee select the recipient. Named for the ankh, a graphic symbol for copper dating to ancient Egypt, the award includes a trophy reproduction of Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Thinker. Southwire Co. LLC is a North America manufacturer of wire and cable used in the distribution and transmission of electricity. SJE-Rhombus, an industry provider of quality control solutions for water and wastewater applications, announced winners of the Tank Alert Alarm Challenge, which took place at their booth during the Pumper Expo, February 25-27 in

Indianapolis, Indiana. The Tank Alert Alarm Challenge was a timed event open to all attendees of the 2014 Pumper Expo. The object of the challenge was to mount the Tank Alert EZ alarm and the SJE SignalMaster control switch, then connect the wiring for the float and power to activate the alarm. The top three fastest installation times were

awarded a prize package and all participants were given a commemorative T-shirt. Chuck Salmon of Manistee, Michigan, won the first place award with a time of 1 minute, 26 seconds. Andrew McAfee of Blufton, Indiana, took second place with a time of 1 minute, 28 seconds. Lamar Burkholder of New Paris, Indiana, came in third at 1 minute, 42 seconds. Each winner received a prize package of an SJE-Rhombus Carhartt jacket, camo cap, tool bag, tape measurer, and screwdriver. In addition, the top winner also received a $100 Visa gift card. Altra Industrial Motion Corp., a global designer, producer, and marketer of a wide range of electromechanical power transmission products, was recently named in “Forbes America’s 100 Most Trustworthy Companies.” Altra, headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts, achieved an AGR (Accounting Governance and Risk) score of 97 out of a possible 100, which was tied for both the second highest overall score and the highest score within the small cap category on the 2014 list. The Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America were selected by GMI Ratings, after review of more than 8000 North American public companies. BUSINESS GROWTH

The Hydraulic Institute entered a Training Partner Agreement with ABB, a provider in power and automation technologies and Baldor Electrics Co., a North American manufacturer of industrial electric motors, drives, and mechanical power transmission products. Through this relationship, all

three companies will broaden educational opportunities for pump end-users, distributors, and consulting firms by developing high quality, co-branded educational and training programs and sponsoring technical webinars and e-learning courses focused on a variety of pump topics as well as host the expanded Pump Systems Optimization courses. NEWS ON THE WEB

Flomatic Corp. introduces its new 36-page four-color 2014 condensed valve catalog and price list. Flomatic’s main valve product categories include check valves, foot valves, butterfly valves, ball check valves, swing check valves, air release/vacuum valves, gate valves, and a wide range of automatic control valves. Flomatic also introduced its new expanded model/sizes of their special patent pending submersible pump check valve for use with variable frequency drive control submersible pumps. These valves are now available in ductile iron, stainless steel, and male by female body configurations. For detailed information on these valve products, visit www.flomatic .com. Reed Manufacturing Co., a Pennsylvania-based, familyowned company since 1896, has redesigned its website, www.reedmfgco.com. Reed Manufacturing produces professional-grade pipe tools. The newly redesigned website allows easier access to tool training videos and new products, along with accessories and parts.

WWJ May 2014 䡲 67

Featured PRODUCTS Solinst Offers Versatile Tag Line

The Solinst Tag Line provides a simple method to measure the depth of a backfill sand or bentonite layer during the completion of a well, and to measure depth to the bottom of a well. The standard Tag Line uses a stainless steel weight connected to a narrow cable, laser-marked every Âź feet. For added accuracy, the Tag Line is now available with laser-marked PVDF flat tape, which is marked every 1/100 feet. The 316 stainless steel tag weight comes in two sizes, standard Âž-inch diameter and narrow Â˝-inch. The weights can be clipped on and off. www.solinst.com

Flint & Walling Introduces 4-Inch Submersible Motors Flint & Walling Inc. announces the introduction of its self-manufactured 4-inch motor line into the water well industry â&#x20AC;&#x201D;designed, machined, and assembled at its facilities in Kendallville, Indiana. Manufacturing motors is not new for F&W as it has been producing its own centrifugal motors since the early 1950s. F&W is the only pump company in North America that actually winds and makes its own jet and centrifugal pump motors. The company manufactures a full line of water pumps and electrical controls under the brands of Flint & Walling, Wolf Pump, Zoeller Pump, Zoeller Engineered Products, Clarus, and Tulsar. www.flintandwalling.com

Maass Midwest Cycle Slayer Valve Produces Efficient Results Maass Midwest introduces the Cycle Slayer Valve providing constant pressure without the need to replace an existing pump. The pump stop valve controls cycling and reduces the amount of electricity as well as controlling water hammer. The Cycle Slayer control valve is available in fixed pressure plastic and adjustable brass, stainless, and cast iron models. The control valve is designed for commercial, residential, industrial, and farm applications. It is available in 1 inch, 1Âź inches, and 2 inches. www.maassmidwest.com If you have a product that you would like considered, send a release to Mike Price, Water Well Journal, 601 Dempsey Rd., Westerville, OH 43081. E-mail: mprice@ngwa.org.

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Featured PRODUCTS Franklin Electric Releases AG Series Centrifugal Pumps

Franklin Electric Co. Inc. announces the release of the AG Series cast iron centrifugal pumps designed to outperform the competition in challenging water transfer applications demanding high performance and efficiency in industrial, commercial, and agricultural markets. The AG Series is equipped with standard JM and JP motor frames along with a stainless steel shaft sleeve to prolong the life of the pump. Pumps are available to fit the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most popular models ranging from 3 to 75 hp with flow ratings from 50 to 1000 gpm with a maximum shutoff pressure of over 175 psi. www.franklin-electric.com

Atlas Copco Launches SmartROC T Simulator

SJE-Rhombus Introduces Relay Logic Series Control Panels

Atlas Copco launches a new surface crawler simulator for operator training, the SmartROC T operator simulator. The simulator is an excellent training tool to develop operator skills. The SmartROC T simulator uses the original controls identical to those on the drilling equipment. This provides students with a realistic training environment. The advanced control system is also integrated into the simulator, giving students the opportunity to use all the features of the actual drilling equipment. The simulator has a predesigned learning pass to give students step-by-step instructions on operational best practices. www.atlascopco.us/usus

SJE-Rhombus, an industry provider of quality control solutions for water and wastewater applications, introduces the new line of Relay Logic Series control panels using electromechanical components for simplex and duplex pump control in water and sewage applications. The Relay Logic Series simplex control panel is designed to control one 120, 208, or 240V single-phase pump in pump chambers, sump pump basins, irrigation system, and lift stations. It features a NEMA 4X rated indoor/ outdoor enclosure with stainless steel lockable hasps, an inner door which provides added safety, HOA switch for manual pump control, external test/ normal/silence switch, and a green pump run indicator light. www.sjerhombus.com

This is one reference book no one should be without! Regardless of whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re new to the groundwater industry or an old hand, Groundwater & Wells is the reference book you will turn to time and again. The third edition of this comprehensive 800-plus-page volume deals with: t "MM UIJOHT SFMBUFE UP UIF EFTJHO JOTUBMMBUJPO and maintenance of water wells t )PSJ[POUBM ESJMMJOH t 8FMM EFWFMPQNFOU t (SPVOEXBUFS NPOJUPSJOH BOE SFNFEJBUJPO t "OE FWFSZUIJOH JO CFUXFFO Order your copy today! Catalog #T017

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www.NGWA.org/Bookstore t 800 551.7379 t 614 898.7791 Twitter @WaterWellJournl

WWJ May 2014 äĄ˛ 69

Featured PRODUCTS Water Level Datalogging from Solinst Is Durable and Corrosion Resistant The Solinst Levelogger Junior Edge for water level and temperature datalogging uses a durable Hastelloy pressure sensor, which has superior corrosion resistance and can withstand up to two times over-pressure without permanent damage. The Levelogger Junior Edge features a memory capacity of 40,000 sets of datapoints, accuracy is 0.1% FS, and the battery lasts up to five years. If greater accuracy, sampling options, or ranges are required, the Solinst Levelogger Edge has the functionality to suit your application. The Levelogger Edge has 0.05% accuracy, a 10-year battery, and memory for up to 120,000 datapoints using the linear compressed sampling option. www.solinst.com

Ergodyne Announces New Flame-Resistant Apparel Line Ergodyne announces the expansion of their CORE Performance Work Wear Line to include flame-resistant apparel. A revolutionary launch of seven work garments, the new apparel offers dualhazard solutions in both flash fire and electrical arc flash applications as well as stylish, innovative designs that workers actually want to wear. Using industry-leading fabrics, the apparel ensures compliance, superior comfort, and style. Each model meets the fire-resistant performance requirement of ASTM F1506 and all mid layers and outer layers are UL certified to NFPA 2112. www.ergodyne.com

Avoid Permit Fines with Reliable Groundwater Quality Monitoring The CTD-Diver groundwater datalogger from Schlumberger Water Services delivers highresolution long-term monitoring of groundwater and stream water quality. Its corrosionproof housing makes it ideal for monitoring of acid mine drainage from coal mine operations, and allows mine operators to rapidly identify changes in groundwater levels and electrical conductivity which may indicate pollution, groundwater discharge, or extraction; proactively intervene if adverse changes in water quality measurements are detected; satisfy EPA directives and other regulatory compliance obligations with reliable and accurate long-term monitoring; and improve data collection efficiency with fully automated monitoring and reduce permitting costs. www.swstechnology.com

Stay up to date on construction laws impacting your business. The Associated General Contractors of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Construction State Law Matrix is the most comprehensive, concise, and regularly updated resource available for locating information on state laws affecting public or private construction practices. And as an NGWA member, you can receive a 10% discount on a 12-month subscription that provides you with easy access to all 50 U.S. matrixes, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

www.NGWA.org/state-law-matrix

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WOODFORD MANUFACTURING

UNEQUALED QUALITY Producing yard hydrants for over 80 years. Many years of unequaled trouble-free service. It’s what your customers want from a yard hydrant. And that’s what they get with a Woodford yard hydrant. After all, Woodford has been making them for 80 years.

Woodford Model Y34 Freezeless Yard Hydrant The original. Parts are always available even for the ones made 80 years ago. Includes an adjustable link for lever lock-in tension. A one piece, variable flow plunger has a large cushion type seal to assure shut off even when foreign particles are present. Repairs can be made with hydrant remaining in the ground.

ALWAYS REPAIRABLE VISIT WOODFORD’S WEBSITE FOR THE MOST COMPLETE LINE OF YARD HYDRANTS ON THE MARKET

Woodford Model W34 Contact Your Representative Or Give Us A Call.

Woodford Model Y30

Woodford Thermaline

WOODFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY 2121 Waynoka Road, Colorado Springs, CO. 80915 Phone 800-621-6032 FAX 800-765-4115 A Division Of WCM Industries, Inc.

Woodford U Series

Woodford Model Y2

Woodford Model H34

www.woodfordmfg.com

Index of ADVERTISERS

ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

Baroid IDP www.baroididp.com Wyo-Ben www.wyoben.com

BENTONITE PELLETS/TABLETS

BRUSHES-REHABILITATION 13

BUSHINGS, ROTARY DECK Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

CABLE TOOLS

Toney Drilling Supplies www.toneydrilling.com

CABLE WIRE, TIES, AND GUARDS Southwire www.southwire.com

CABLE, SUBMERSIBLE PUMP/ MOTOR Southwire www.southwire.com

CASINGS, SHOE Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

CENTRALIZERS kwik-ZIP USA www.kwikzip.com

CHECK VALVES Flomatic www.flomatic.com

CONTROLS

CONTROLS, VARIABLE SPEED PUMPING DRILL PIPE TOOLS

Star Iron Works www.starironworks.com

72 䡲 May 2014 WWJ

Geoprobe Systems www.geoprobe.com

IBC

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

DRILLS, FOUNDATION DRILLS, ROTARY DRILLS, TOPDRIVE DRIVES, SHOE

ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPLIES FILTER MEDIA

Premier Silica www.premiersilica.com

Allegheny Instruments www.geovision.org

Gicon Pumps & Equipment www.gpeltd.com

Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

CAMERAS, DOWN-THE-HOLE

Pentair www.pentair.com

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

DRILLS, DIRECT PUSH/PROBES 59

Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com

DRILLS, CAISSON

OBC

FILTERS, CARBON

Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

FILTERS, CARTRIDGE TYPE Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

FITTINGS

Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

GEOPHYSICAL EQUIPMENT AND TESTING SERVICES Mount Sopris Instruments www.mountsopris.com

GROUT AND BENTONITE Baroid IDP www.baroididp.com

Woodford Manufacturing www.woodfordmfg.com

Wyo-Ben www.wyoben.com

HYDRANTS AND OUTDOOR FAUCETS LUBRICANTS, BENTONITE

LUBRICANTS, DRILLING FLUIDS Baroid IDP www.baroididp.com Wyo-Ben www.wyoben.com

1 59

LUBRICANTS, GREASESYNTHETIC Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com

MOTORS, ELECTRIC

Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com WorldWide Electric www.worldwideelectric.net

9 53

MOTORS, SUBMERSIBLE PUMP A.Y. McDonald Manufacturing www.aymcdonald.com Flint & Walling www.flintandwalling.com

IFC 26

MUDS, POLYMERS AND ADDITIVES Baroid IDP www.baroididp.com

FILTERS, MISCELLANEOUS Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

Wyo-Ben www.wyoben.com

NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION NGWA/Awards www.ngwa.org NGWA/Bookstore www.ngwa.org NGWA/Certification www.ngwa.org NGWA/Educational Foundation www.ngwa.org/ngwref NGWA/Groundwater Expo www.ngwa.org NGWA/Membership www.ngwa.org NGWA/State Law Matrix www.ngwa.org NGWA/Water Well Journal www.WaterWellJournal.com

44 69 65 54 38 14 70 74

waterwelljournal.com

PIPE, DRILL Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

PIPE, JOINT COMPOUND Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com

Robbco Pumps www.robbcopumps.com 13

PITLESS ADAPTERS Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO www.semcooflamar.com

9 11

PUMPS, CONSTANT PRESSURE Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com

Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com

PUMPS, SOLAR

PUMPS, SUBMERSIBLE AND VERTICAL HydroFlo Pumps www.hydroflopumps.com

Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com

PUMPS, SUBMERSIBLE, INDUSTRIAL PUMPS, SUBMERSIBLE, IRRIGATION Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com Unitra www.unitrainc.com

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

REMEDIATION CHEMICALS

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

9 11

VALVES, CHECK VALVES, DRAIN VALVES, FLOW REGULATING

15 13

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca GEFCO/King Oil Tools www.gefco.com Laibe/Versa-Drill www.laibecorp.com

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

Barrett Supply www.barrettpumpstop.com Flomatic www.flomatic.com

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

EnoScientific www.enoscientific.com

Better Water Industries www.betterwaterind.com

RIGS, AIR ROTARY

RIGS, EXPLORATION RIGS, OVERBURDEN

RIGS, ROTARY

RIGS, SONIC DRILL Sonic Drill www.sonic-drill.com

SWIVELS

VALVES, BUTTERFLY

Cotey Chemical www.coteychemical.com Jet-Lube www.jetlube.com

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

Franklin Electric 9 www.franklin-electric.com Shakti Pumps Insert at 18-19 www.shaktipumps.com

Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com

PUMPS, YARD HYDRANTS Baker Manufacturing, Water Systems Division www.bakermfg.com

VALVES, BALL

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

RIGS, REVERSE CIRCULATION

PUMPS, SUBMERSIBLE, RESIDENTIAL

PUMPS, SUMP

PUMPS, VERTICAL TURBINE National Pump www.nationalpumpcompany.com

PUMPS, CENTRIFUGAL Franklin Electric www.franklin-electric.com Unitra www.unitrainc.com

PUMPS, TURBINE SUBMERSIBLE, VERTICAL LINESHAFT

North Houston Machine nhmi2@earthlink.net

Foremost Industries www.foremost.ca

Flomatic www.flomatic.com

TRACK VEHICLES

VALVES, AIR RELEASE VALVES, BACKWASH

VALVES, FOOT

VALVES, FREEZE PROTECTION VALVES, GATE

VALVES, NONMETAL VALVES, PRESSURE REGULATORS

VALVES, PUMP CONTROL VALVES, RELIEF WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT WATER TREATMENT, DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS

WWJ May 2014 äĄ˛ 73

Regional Marketplace: SOUTHEAST Find Suppliers Near You, with the Regional Marketplace

TONEY DRILLING SUPPLIES, INC. Miami, FL (800) 432-6193 Orlando, FL (888) 327-2844 International (800) 432-6193

This new section features suppliers that service specific regions of the country. Now when you need a specific product, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll know exactly where to go near you.

Calling All Regional Suppliers If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a regional supplier, having customers find you has never been easier than the new Regional Marketplace. Make sure your company is in the section in the next issue of Water Well Journal. There are multiple ad sizes Shelby Fleck to choose from and multiple frequencies for your advertising campaign. Contact NGWAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shelby Fleck at (800) 551-7379 or sfleck@ngwa.org and tell her you want to be in Regional Marketplace.

www.toneydrilling.com The â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tiger Sales Teamâ&#x20AC;? is ready to serve you. * Drilling Consultant Services Available * New and Used Equipment * Engineering â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Soil Sampling â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Core Drilling Machines and Supplies

* Distributors of: â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Drilling Mud â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Cable and Rotary Equipment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bits in all sizes

Visit the online home of Water Well Journal today! The online home of Water Well Journal ÂŽ, www.WaterWellJournal.com, gives you access to: t 8FC FYDMVTJWF OFXT TUPSJFT t %JHJUBM FEJUJPO PG UIF DVSSFOU QVCMJDBUJPO t "SDIJWFE JTTVFT t 5IF Water Well Journal CMPH t -JOLT UP Water Well Journalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T 'BDFCPPL BOE 5XJUUFS QBHFT -PH PO UPEBZ BOE TUBZ VQ UP EBUF

www.WaterWellJournal.com 74 äĄ˛ May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

Classified MARKETPLACE 15 BITS Bits, subs, stabilizers, hole openers, etc. Over 10,000 bits in stock.

R L C Bit Service Inc. 8643 Bennett Rd. P.O. Box 714 Benton, IL 62812 www.rlcbit.com

ƨȯȺȻȳɀΎƚȷɂΎƛȽȻȾȯȼɇΎȽˎȳɀɁΎ ȶȷȵȶΎȿɃȯȺȷɂɇΎȲɀȷȺȺȷȼȵΎȰȷɂɁΎȴȽɀΎȯΎ ɄȯɀȷȳɂɇΎȽȴΎȯȾȾȺȷȱȯɂȷȽȼɁΎ˱Ύ ȲɀȷȺȺȷȼȵΎȱȽȼȲȷɂȷȽȼɁ˷Ύ ͻ ƠȷȵȶΎƩɃȯȺȷɂɇΎ ͻ ƫɃȾȳɀȷȽɀΎƨȳɀȴȽɀȻȯȼȱȳ ͻ ƜɃɀȯȰȷȺȷɂɇ ͻ ƮȯɀȷȳɂɇΎȽȴΎƙȾȾȺȷȱȯɂȷȽȼɁ ͻ ƚȷɂΎƪȳɅȽɀȹΎƫȳɀɄȷȱȳɁΎ

Call us Today! 1-800-421-2487 www.palmerbit.com sales@palmerbit.com

Ph: (618) 435-5000 Cell: (618) 927-2676 Cell: (618) 927-5586 Fax: (618) 438-0026

SEMCO Inc. All Hydraulic Hydrorench S110H In Stock 1-10 Four Rollers Breaks Pipe Make Pipe to Torque Specs 800-541-1562

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

Rick Corn E-mail: rlcbit77@frontier.com

3 APPRAISALS Equipment Appraisals Nationally recognized and accredited equipment appraisals for water well drill rigs and well drilling equipment for banks, lenders, mergers, accountants, estate planning, IRS, and auctions. Experienced, knowledgeable, and recognized worldwide in the water well drilling industry. Accurate and conﬁdential appraisal reports.

SALVADORE AUCTIONS & APPRAISALS 401.792.4300 www.siaai.com

18 BREAKOUT TOOLS BREAKOUT TOOLS

Jason Corn E-mail: rlcbit373@frontier.com

Did you know?

Get More Details with the NGWA Buyers Guide Get more product information with the National Ground Water Association’s buyers guides online. The complete guide with the ability to search by company name, product type, and location is available at http://ngwa.oﬃcial buyers guide.net. You can also view the annual rigs and pumps directories at WWJ ’s online home at www.WaterWellJournal .com. Check them out today!

Water Well Journal classified advertisements appear online (at no additional cost) each month at www.waterwelljournal.com.

Check it out!

WWJ May 2014 75

22 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY: 50+ years established drilling and pump service company in northern Illinois for sale. Commercial lot and 1 acre with office and shop building. Rig, pump trucks, and all equip. included. House with 2 unit apt. included. More info upon request. Serious inquiries only. Call (708) 987-5989. WELL DEVELOPMENT: AirBurst Technology, LLC is seeking qualified individuals or businesses to partner with ABT, in select areas of the country, to represent ABT and perform AirBurst well development services. Target customers are drillers and pump installers, municipalities, industry, irrigators and livestock farmers. Applicants must have an ongoing related water well industry business or previous experience, have an excellent working knowledge of water wells, have existing relationships with drillers and pump installers. A small investment is required. AirBurst will provide equipment and maintain ownership of equipment. Training will be provided at your USA site at minimal cost. Please visit our website at www.airbursttech.com and complete the AirBurst Partner Form at “contact us”.

60 DOWN HOLE INSPECTION

57 DIRECT PUSH SUPPLIES

Water Well Inspection Systems New Product Announcement

SCHUMAPROBE

Porous Polyethylene Sparge Screens

Portable, truck or trailermounted Retrofit your existing vehicle New Zoom feature for 2013 360° side wall viewing color cameras Inspection depths up to 5,000 feet

Contact us at: Toll Free: (800) 671-0383 (559) 291-0383 ext.111 Fax: (559) 291-0463 Email: jim.lozano@ariesindustries.com Or visit us at: www.ariesindustries.com

Pipe Size: 1” ID and 2” ID Pore Size: 20 Micron and 40 Micron Available Length: 24” Standard Length: Available Up to 60” Ends: Male X Female ASTM Flush Threads NPT and Sch80 Adapters Available

Pre-Packed Well Screens 1/2” up to 4” ID Available Custom Injection Pre-Packs Annular Bentonite Seals All Stainless Steel Pre-Packs *Geoprobe® Compatible Supplies & Tooling* *Johnson Screens® Distributor* *Proactive Pumps® Master Distributor*

Toll Free 1-888-240-4328 Phone: 1-609-631-8939

Fax: 1-609-631-0993

ectmfg.com proactivepumps.com torquerplug.com

75 ELECTRIC MOTORS

71 DRILLING EQUIPMENT

See what you’re missing . . .

EQUIPMENT WANTED: Electric motors wanted. Vertical hollow shaft pump motors. 20 to 500 hp good or bad, will pick up. PH: (800) 541-1562.

90 EQUIPMENT New Low Prices

Low yield well? Get more water without overpumping. www.wellmanager.com ✔ Use on wells yielding as little as 0.10 gpm. ✔ Turn-key collection and delivery system. ✔ Fits through 24” doors. ✔ Good money from bad wells. For more information, log-on or call 800-211-8070. © Reid Plumbing Products, LLC

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76 ELEVATORS

80 EMPLOYMENT

J & K To o l C o m p a n y I n c .

Kwik Klamps 1 & 2 (adjustable 1 –2 or 21⁄2 – 4 ) NEW – Kwik Klamp 3 (for 6 PVC) Elevators for PVC well casing (sizes 1 –16 ) Heavy Duty PVC Elevators (sizes 4 –8 ) Flush Joint PVC Pipe Clamps (sizes 4 –24 ) www.jktool.com sales@jktool.com Tel 320-563-4967 Fax 320-563-8051

1 – 16 Elevators All steel with safety latch. SEMCO of Lamar 800-541-1562 Fax 719-336-2402

Credit Cards Accepted

Standard Manufacturing

Largest water well pipe elevator manufacturing company in the United States.

(936) 336-6200 (800) 337-0163 Fax: (936) 336-6212 E-Mail: StandardManufacturing @yahoo.com Web site: www.standardmfg.com

Phone:

Dealers Wanted

SkyRex Water Well Elevators 1 thru 36 for casing, column pipe, tubing, and drill pipe

PVC Lightweight Elevators Stock Sizes: 3 ⁄4 thru 16

* Same Day Shipping * Complete Reverse Circulation Drill Strings

806-791-3731

REX MCFADDEN CO.

Put your company’s message here! Classified advertising is a great way to reach the water well industry. Call Shelby to make arrangements at 1-800-551-7379 ext 523.

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

Hydro Resources seeks water well drillers (reverse air and conventional rotary) and pump installers for the Nevada and California area. Positions are FT with great benefits: health, dental, life, disability, 401K, vacation, PTO. Please submit resumes to hr@hydroresources.com, fax 775623-0307.

Driller/Drilling Crew

For temporary hire With or without drill rig Willing to travel 30+ years experience 484-225-8729 610-791-9500

Rig transportation also available.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Try NGWA’s Career Center at www.careers.ngwa.org for more opportunities. Whether you are looking for the right job or the right employee, the NGWA Career Center can provide you with an industry-specific listing to hone your search. Questions? Call Rachel at 800 551.7379, ext 504, or email rgeddes@ngwa.org.

HELP WANTED: Sonic/HSA/direct push drilling skills a plus. Please forward resume to dbond@cascadedrilling.com. Cascade Drilling L.P., 6215 Lehman Drive, Flint, MI 48507. HELP WANTED: We are looking for experienced irrigation contractors with knowledge of pumps, pivots, drilling and/or electrical licensing. Pay will be based on experience. Benefits include health and life insurance and retirement. Must have a clean motor vehicle record. Please email inquiries and resumes to jps@communicomm.com.

Get Safety Resources Online You can never be too safe, so take advantage of safety resources online. Go to the Web site of the National Ground Water Association and check out the resources it has available at www.NGWA.org/ProfessionalResources/safety/pages. Also while you’re at the website, make sure to check out NGWA Press’ newest safety item, Safety Meetings for the Groundwater Industry, a set of 52 sheets that provide information so companies can hold weekly safety meetings on topics specific to their industry. WWJ May 2014 77

115 MUD PUMPS

105 INJECTION PUMPS

Hydraulic drive mud pumps â&#x20AC;&#x201D;small and lightweightâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

/ 8 7 , / 0 1 . 0 1 ,,

71/2 10 duplex pump â&#x20AC;˘ Fits in the place of a 5 6 â&#x20AC;˘ Pumps 300 GPM at up to 800 PSI â&#x20AC;˘ Weighs 1000 lbs. less than a 5 6 â&#x20AC;˘ Single and three cylinder models also available

2 #"" 1 " 3 4

, 5 1 6 . , /% 1% / . 7

, 1 ,. . 7 * , 9, * 8 , : * , , * , !!"#$ %&'!!"( #) #! * +&'!!"( #) !$)# *, -* ,.

Centerline Manufacturing U.S Pat. #6,769,884 and others pending

903-725-6978

www.centerlinemanufacturing.com

106 INSTALLATION ACCESSORIES

Heat Shrink from B&B Wholesale "We are the heat shrink people"

Put your companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s message here! Classified advertising is a great way to reach the water well industry. Call Shelby to make arrangements at 1-800-551-7379 ext 523.

- Heat shrink kits for #14 to 4/0 wire - Volume pricing - Custom kits made to order - Private labeling available - Quick shipping - Four types of heat shrink tubing in stock - Large selection of installation accessories including pressure gauges, tapes, valves and tank ďŹ ttings packages Supplying "Made in USA" heat shrink tubing to pump and well installers since 1994. 800-593-9403

Add a color to your display classified ad for only $49. Please call Shelby to make arrangements 1-800-551-7379 ext. 523 78 May 2014 WWJ

waterwelljournal.com

125 PUMP HOISTS 2014 Ford Trucks Available

S4,000 Pump Hoist, 8,000# cap., 35 telescoping mast, 30 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 5T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,665

S6,000 Pump Hoist, 16,000# 3L cap., 35 telescoping mast, 30 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 5T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . $17,950

S8,000 Pump Hoist, 22,000# 3L cap., 36 telescoping mast, 30 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 7T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . $22,950

S10,000 Pump Hoist, 30,000# 3L cap., 40 telescoping mast, 30 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 9T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . $32,500 S12,000 Pump Hoist, 48,000# 4L cap., 44 telescoping mast, 6000# tail out line, 72 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 11T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $36,250

S15,000 Pump Hoist, 60,000# 4L cap., 48 telescoping mast, 6000# tail out line, 72 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 13T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $44,895

S20,000 Pump Hoist, 80,000# 4L cap., 40 telescoping mast, 6000# tail out line, 72 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 13T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,230

128 PUMP PULLERS

S25,000 Pump Hoist, 100,000# 4L cap., 40 telescoping mast, 6000# tail out line, 100 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 15T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $82,545 S30,000 Pump Hoist, 120,000# 4L cap., 40 telescoping mast, 6000# tail out line, 100 gal. oil tank, hydro pump, 15T safety hook, hydro controls and variable speed engine control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $96,945

Equipment in Stock

5T Smeal, PR, bed, toolboxes, 2004 Ford F-650, Cummins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $34,950

S6,000 SEMCO, 44 , 16,000# cap. triple line option, 2 spd., PTO, RC, PR oil cooler, aux., sandreel, light kit, bumper, 11 bed, toolboxes, 2014 Dodge 5500, 6.7 D, 6 spd. manual, 4 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$91,260

860-651-3141

fax 860-658-4288

SEMCO Inc.

P.O. Box 1216 7595 U.S. Highway 50 Lamar, CO 81052 (719) 336-9006 / (800) 541-1562 Fax (719) 336-2402 semcopumphoist@yahoo.com www.SEMCOoflamar.com See our ad on page 45.

130 DUAL ROTARY

129 PUMPS

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

WWJ May 2014 79

135 RIGS

Award-Winning Patented Technology

www.sonic-drill.com

SONIC DRILL CORPORATION Suite 190#120, 119 N. Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225 1-604-588-6081

FOR SALE: Reverse circulation/bucket rig. 2007 Gus Pech on Freightliner. 300 new 8 reverse tools 30 bit, 20 rods, air lift circ. 100 , 4 scope with 30 bucket. Diesel up and down, Hi torque, 4 jacks, hose winder, derrick push out, good machine 400K. More tools available, will seperate. Call Gary Sisk (816) 517-4531.

New condition, completely restored and rebuilt 1974 Super George SG-48 mounted on a 1975 International Harvester truck, Tandem axle with 35,000 original miles. Brand new. $112,000 O.B.O. Call Rick. 1-305-910-4758 Cell. Or rickbluewater @gmail.com. Miami, Florida. U.S.A.

133 RIG PARTS

Enid Drill Systems Inc www.eniddrill.com Enid Drill Systems Inc 580-234-5971 www.eniddrill.com Fax 580-234-5980 580-234-5971 Fax 580-234-5980

4510 E Market, Enid, OK 4510 E Market, 73701 Enid, OK USA 73701 USA

x New rigs—custom designs x x New rigs—custom designs Quality rig repair service x x Quality rigused repair service needs New and equipment x x New and used equipment “Transfer of Technology”needs - the x

“Transfer Technology” - the must haveofbook for all drillers! must have book for all drillers!

Did you know? Water Well Journal classified advertisements appear online (at no additional cost) each month at www.waterwelljournal.com.

Check it out!

137 SERVICES REPAIRS: Eastman deviation survey clocks (mechanical drift indicators) repaired. We also have three, six, and twelve degree angle units, charts, and other accessories in stock. Call Downhole Clock Repair, (325) 660-2184.

139 SLOTTING MACHINES J & K To o l C o m p a n y

PVC Screen Slotting Machines

PVC Threading Machines

Perforating Machines Affordable, easy to operate automated machines with touch screen programming.

www.jktool.com sales@jktool.com Tel 320-563-4967 Fax 320-563-8051

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176 WATER LEVEL MEASUREMENT

Ground Water Monitoring Instrumentation Geokon, Inc. manufactures high quality hydrological instrumentation suitable for a variety of ground water monitoring applications. Geokon instruments utilize vibrating wire technology providing measurable advantages and proven long-term stability. The World Leader in Vibrating Wire Technology Geokon, Incorporated 48 Spencer Street Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766 | USA

Phone: 760-384-1085

Fax: 760-384-0044

1 • 603 • 448 • 1562 1 • 603 • 448 • 3216 info@geokon.com www.geokon.com

Waterline Envirotech Water level indicators made in the USA for over 30 years.

360-676-9635 www.waterlineusa.com

177 WATER TANKS

FLATWATER FLEET 160 TRUCKS 30-Freightliner Trucks 6 6, 60 Series Detroit, HT740, Allison Trans., Rockwell Axle, 68KGVW, 315/80 R22.5 Michelin, Low Miles SEMCO, Inc. Phone (800) 541-1562

INC.

RIG TENDER® RIG SUPPLIER ®

For over 37 years, Flatwater Fleet has been “The Best Name in Drilling Support and Well Rehabilitation”

We use your specifications and needs to supply you with the highest quality drilling support vehicles in the industry. Contact us today to find out how we can help you succeed.

Twitter @WaterWellJournl

FLATWATER FLEET, INC. 5354 TWIG BLVD. SAGINAW, MN 55779 PHONE: (218) 729-8721 FAX: (218) 729-7644 EMAIL: INFO@FLATWATERFLEET.COM

WWJ May 2014 81

180 WATER TRUCKS

185 WELL REHAB

Specializing in quality custom built epoxy coated Flattanks any gallon or tank length sizes with or without material handling IMT cranes. All tanks are sandblasted and painted with polyurethane paint. Many options available. Engineered for convenience and durability, allows the user to operate at any type of drilling operation. Our drill site Flattanks support trucks are built with simplicity and functionality. Call us for our used truck – new tank inventory list.

NORTHWEST FLATTANKS Steve Wipf (406) 466-2146 E-mail: steve@northwestflattanks.com

2005 T800 Kenworth ISM Cummins 385HP 2000 gallon Flattank support truck, fully loaded.

ENVIRONMENTAL SERIES

3/4-inch 1-inch 1.25-inch 1.5-inch 2-inch

Advantages of Surge Block Method

Cell (406) 544-5914 www.northwestflattanks.com

Most effective way to develop any well Produces more water, less color and turbidity Only the surge block method “back washes” the well screen, removing clay bridge, sands and silts Flexible wiper creates suction and pulls water into the screen (not available with other methods) Constructed of inert long-lasting materials Capable of lifting water over 50 feet Removable ball valve prevents water from flowing back into well and will not clog with sediments Fast, effective and saves time and money

PRODUCTION SERIES

Put your company’s message here! Classified advertising is a great way to reach the water well industry.

New 2100 gallon Flattank, fully loaded.

Call Shelby to make arrangements at 1-800-551-7379 ext 523.

4”,5”

6””

For more information visit: www.welldeveloper.com 850.727.4427

(406) 466-2146, (406) 544-5914 steve@northwestflattanks.com www.northwestflattanks.com

184 WELL PACKERS

Classified Advertising Schedule for Publication Deadlines: First day of the preceding publication of magazine (June 1 for July issue). No guarantees after that date. This applies to renewals, cancellations, and any revisions. All classified ads must be prepaid by check or credit card. Commission rates do not apply to classified ads. Current month’s classified ads are posted on our Web site at www.ngwa.org/pdf/classify.pdf for no extra charge.

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184 WELL PACKERS

185 WELL REHAB â&#x20AC;¢ CUSTOM BUILT PACKERS

FOR ANY APPLICATION

PRODUCTS

â&#x20AC;¢ COMPETITIVE PRICES

INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS 1-800-452-4902 â&#x20AC;¢ www.lansas.com

)PMQMREXI -VSR &EGXIVME

Manufactured by Vanderlans & Sons 1320 S. Sacramento St. â&#x20AC;¢ Lodi, CA 95240 â&#x20AC;¢ 209-334-4115 â&#x20AC;¢ Fax 209-339-8260 TM

A JET LU&) '314%2= % .)8 09&) '314%2=

3RI XMQI )ZIV] XMQI .)8 09&) ` [[[ NIXPYFI GSQ

Ph. 303 789-1200 or 800 552-2754 Fx. 303 789-0900

Serving Your Complete Packer Needs i INFLATABLE PACKERS - Pressure Grout, Wireline, Water Well, Environmental, Bridge Plugs. Custom Sizes and Fabrication available i MECHANICAL PACKERS - Freeze Plugs, Custom Applications Call or email us with all your Packer questions!! Toll-Free: 1-888-572-2537 Email: info@QSPPackers.com Fax #: 253-770-0327 Web: www.QSPPackers.com

)PMQMREXI 'SPMJSVQ NE

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Prompt Shipping in the US & Internationallyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Usually in just One Day!! A JET LU&) '314%2= % .)8 09&) '314%2=

Applications Include: +\GURORJLFDO 7HVWLQJ Â&#x2021; ,QMHFWLRQ :LWKGUDZDO Â&#x2021; 6WDQGDUG &XVWRP 6L]HV 0DWHULDOV :DWHU 0LQLQJ (QYLURQPHQWDO Â&#x2021; *URXWLQJ 6DPSOLQJ *HRWHFKQLFDO +\GURIUDFWXULQJ Â&#x2021; 5HFLUFXODWLRQ :HOOV Â&#x2021; 6WHDP ,QMHFWLRQ Â&#x2021; 5HOLQH &DVLQJ

Â&#x2C6; 27* 'IVXMfi IH Â&#x2C6; 2S TVIQM\MRK XS GSRXVSP T, Â&#x2C6; 2S GSVVSWMZI JYQIW Â&#x2C6; 2S GSVVSWMSR Â&#x2C6; 2S WLIPJ PMJI

To discuss your questions and applications, call

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WWJ May 2014 83

178 WATER TREATMENT

186 WELL SCREENS Stainless Steel Carbon Steel Galvanized Steel Wedge-Wire

Well Screens

Slotted Pipe

18102 East Hardy Road Houston, Texas 77073 USA Phone: 281.233.0214; Fax: 281.233.0487

Toll-free: 800.577.5068 info@alloyscreenworks.com www.alloyscreenworks.com

速

182 WELL LOCATION SERVICES

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EFFICIENT PUMPING SOLUTIONS

THE PRODUCTS & SERVICES TO EXCEED YOUR PUMPING SOLUTION NEEDS Up to 20,000 GPM with Line-shaft turbine, centrifugal and sewage pumps. Up to 5,000 Ft. of Head with Submersible Turbine Pumps.

PUMP PERFORMANCE TESTING

s '0- -AX &LOW 2ATE s (ORSEPOWER -AXIMUM s 4ESTING PRESSURE TO 03) 4$( s 4ESTING LIVE WELL DEPTH BY v DIAMETER s OR TEST VOLTAGES AVAILABLE s !UTOMATED POINT TESTING s 2EAL TIME AUTOMATED PERFORMANCE TESTING AND REPORT GENERATION s )NTERNET ACCESS WITNESS TESTING s #USTOM ADAPTATIONS AVAILABLE

WWW.GPELTD.COM !MARILLO 48 Â&#x2C6; ,UBBOCK 48 Â&#x2C6;

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