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Artesian Well: Common Problems and Solutions

The most common artesian well problems are water contamination and lack of water. Drilling a new well, while ensuring it produces an acceptable water flow, is easily achievable.

Common Artesian Well Problems

Poor Well Sealing and Water Contamination

Unfortunatly in the Laurentians,  many wells are properly sealed, which allows surface water to  seep into  the aquifers. In this case, the water guarantees offered by some drillers are “easy to meet.”However, this surface water is often contaminated by bacteria or very high levels of undesirable substances. Therefore, “Guaranteeing water” should not be the main objective when constructing an artesian well.

The quality sealing of an artesian well must be the priority. It is this sealing that ensures the surface water is properly blocked from entering the artesian well. A properly sealed well will only draw clean water from the aquifer—a layer located beneath an impermeable soil barrier—ensuring the high-quality water you’re looking for.

Artesian Well Pump: Frequent Problems

Problems related to artesian well pumps can often be attributed to malfunctions in the pumping system, complications inside the well, fluctuations in water pressure, or defective components. These problems can lead to a reduction in water flow, inadequate water pressure, and in some cases, the pump may stop working completely.

  • A faulty pumping system can be due to a worn-out motor, electrical problems, or damaged components.
  • Obstructions or sediments inside the well can block a filter and reduce water pressure and hinder proper functioning.
  • Inconsistent water pressure may indicate a problem with the pressure tank or the pump itself.
  • The pressure control, called the pressure switch, may have low-pressure protection. This could cut off the electrical power to the pump if the water pressure drops below 25 psi. This cut-off could be caused by a very high one-time water demand or by a lack of water in the well. Several other circumstances could trigger low-pressure protection, and in this case, manual reset is required.

Early detection and resolution of these problems by Experteau can help maintain your artesian well pumping system in good working order, ensuring a continuous supply of quality water.

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Effective Solutions for Artesian Wells

Correct Well Design and Sealing

Two points are particularly important to remember to ensure a well is properly designed:

First, no surface water should be able to enter your well. Generally, this undesirable water is located less than 10 meters deep.

When required, the watertight collar of your well must be constructed as follows:

  • The initial drilling must have a diameter 10 cm (4 inches) greater than the diameter of the well. This must be drilled for a minimum of the first 5 meters of the well (16.4 feet). For example, for an artesian well with a diameter of 6 inches, the well must be drilled at 10 inches for its first 16.4 feet minimum. During this operation, a 25 cm (10-inch) casing must be temporarily put in place to maintain the walls of the soil.
  • The next step will be to pour a sealing material, such as bentonite, for example, between the 6-inch and 10-inch casings.
  • The last operation will be to remove the temporary 10-inch casing so that the bentonite collar comes into contact with the natural soil and thus, effectively seals the well.

Subsequently, all interventions made on the well must ensure not to alter the sealing of the well. These interventions can be water surging, hydraulic fracturing (hydrofracturing), or excavation work around the well.

For more information on the design of artesian wells, please refer to the Guide to the Regulation Respecting the Withdrawal of Water and Its Protection (RPEP).

Solutions for Dry Wells and Lack of Water

It can happen that a well lacks water because it is poor designed. Dry well problems generally occur when it is poorly constructed and allows surface water to enter. This could lead to variations in water flow and even a dry well in case of drought. Experteau avoids this situation by constructing an adequate well that reaches the aquifer. This underground water source is much more stable and will not run dry. This way you benefit from a reliable and sustainable water source.

In some cases, the water vein can become blocked or diminish over time. If this is the case, Experteau’s hydrofracturing services can quickly solve the problem. The operation allows the release of the vein obstructed by sediments or minerals.

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