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How do drillers know where to drill for water?

Apr. 29, 2024

Clues For Finding Groundwater - Lone Star Drills

When drilling in a remote location, as in the case of a mission project in a developing country, finding a suitable groundwater source to tap into is critical to the well’s long-term viability. It’s important to find an aquifer large enough to support the surrounding communities.

Professional geophysical survey equipment is ideal for finding plentiful groundwater close to the surface, but it isn’t necessary. Drillers can take clues from the landscape to make an educated guess about what’s below:

Ask locals where they currently get their water. Existing hand-dug wells will reveal groundwater depth and give insight into subsurface soil properties.
Sand or gravel areas in the bottom of valleys will often be home to groundwater. These layers can be covered by clay or silt, so it’s prudent to check these areas thoroughly.
Natural springs usually indicate groundwater is nearby. A spring that flows year-round will likely reveal a productive aquifer. Even if a spring dries up at times it may still be atop a suitable groundwater supply, so it is worth looking into further.
If there are streams in the area, look for sections where the flow is greater. This can mean groundwater is discharging into the stream, pointing to a good spot to drill.
Groundwater at shallow depths often can nourish above-ground vegetation. Trees or shrubs that stay green in dry seasons may have roots that can reach the supply. Even greener patches of grass can indicate close-to-surface groundwater.
Animals, especially bees and pigs, can be talented at finding groundwater.
A white crust on the ground surface may be salt or other mineral deposits left after groundwater has evaporated, indicating a reservoir underneath.

Finally, remember that finding a site that produces a sufficient amount of water is more important than choosing a convenient location. Drilling close to a community should not cause drillers to sacrifice well viability.

For more guidance on choosing a water well location contact a Lone Star expert.

How do people know where to drill for a water well?

Drilling for water can be a challenging job in many areas due to the uncertainty in the presence of water and the depth of the water table.

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The first step is to study the local geology using the available geological maps to look for structures that will likely host water.

A classic example of such structures is a layer of permeable rock (such as sandstone or fractured limestone) underlined by impermeable levels (such as clay ). The water will accumulate within the permeable layer.

Sometimes the permeable level is sandwiched between two impermeable levels and the water in it can be pressurized so that the well will spontaneously flow at surface. It is an "artesian" aquifer. The recharge of such aquifer happens from lateral formations that convey the infiltrated rain water towards the permeable level.

Geophysics methods can be used to identify the presence of water at depth. They are based on the changes in electric conductivity caused by the water.

Finally bore holes can be drilled to assess the geological sequence of the strata and to identify layers potentially able to host an aquifer.

It is fair to admit that some degree of luck is often associated with finding water mostly in complex and challenging geological settings.

For more information, please visit Dth Water Well Drill Pipe.