National Driller articles from January 2004

National Driller archives from January 2004

Over the transom.(For Openers)
January 1, 2004... Just got back from the National Ground Water Association's annual Ground Water Expo, where the overall mood was one of unwavering confidence and understated enthusiasm. The overwhelming majority of those we spoke with anticipate nothing but...

Pump performance charts: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
January 1, 2004... This is the third segment in a series on pump selection and pump performance curves and charts. In our last two articles, we discussed factors that should be considered when selecting a ground water pump, when to use a jet pump vs. a...

Coming events.(Calendar)
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] JANUARY 8-10 Idaho Ground Water Association Convention Boise, Idaho Phone: 208-226-2580 www.igwa.info 13-14 Empire State Water Well Drillers Annual ...

The Golden Rule: you don't need to read a bunch of textbooks to figure out how to manage people.(Smart Business)
January 1, 2004... A shortage of skilled labor is perhaps the biggest problem facing drilling contractors. Lousy pay and even lousier prestige conspire with unfavorable demographics to repel talented young people from the trades. This makes it devilishly hard for...

Stiffer rods drill straighter holes.(Project Profile)
January 1, 2004... A drill-and-blast contractor working on Stockholm's Southern Link millennium project needed to drill very straight, small-diameter holes to enable blasting to be carried out safely in close proximity to buildings and traffic. He chose to change...

"Best of 2003".(Product Showcase)
January 1, 2004... Constant Pressure System Grundfos Pumps' SmartFlo SQE Constant Pressure System is designed to automatically adjust water pressure to meet your needs. Its computer-controlled components monitor water demand and adjust pressure to meet it....

Care for Belgian fries with that? The business management files.(Portfolio)
January 1, 2004... Those Congressional curmudgeons who deemed it a good use of their time and our tax dollars to change the name of french fries to freedom fries in their tax-subsidized cafeteria have relented--they're back to french fries. So, bottom-line, they...

When to write a new will.(Portfolio)
January 1, 2004... There are several events in our personal lives that may require us to alter or update our last will and testament, as well as any trust agreements (including custodial accounts). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Move to a new state--The will...

Safety milestone achievement.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... The Flowserve Pump Division (FPD) facility in Chesapeake, Va., recently celebrated its achievement of surpassing the industry safety milestone of one million hours without a lost workday accident. The celebration included a town hall meeting...

Lucky winners.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... The Atlas Hydraulic Casing Driver Drawing at the 2003 California Groundwater Association show took place Nov. 7. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Water Right acquires CWT.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... Since 1959, Appleton, Wis.-based Water Right Inc. has manufactured water treatment systems for rural well water. With the recent acquisition of Clean Water Testing LLC (CWT), Water Right has gained the ability to provide state-certified water...

Sonic technology helps identify lake's salt sources.
January 1, 2004... Characterizing and managing the quality of both surface and ground water are issues that are of great importance throughout the United States. Factors that affect the quality may be local or regional, natural or man-made, chemical, hydrological...

Building successful supplier relationships.
January 1, 2004... A good relationship with a supplier can be profitable for both of you. Strong links with your vendors provides strategic benefits ranging from better prices to access to important business information and resources. This kind of partnership...

Natural organic matter fouling study.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... The American Water Works Research Foundation (AWWARF) and the U.S. EPA recently granted $350,000 in funding for a two-year study on natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of low-pressure membrane systems that use microfiltration and...

Erosion and sediment control.
January 1, 2004... This article describes best management practices that should be used in developing and implementing erosion and sediment (E&S) control plans for water well drilling and aquifer testing sites. Because site conditions vary greatly, it is...

The future of Geothermal power.
January 1, 2004... At a recent meeting of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) board of directors, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) representatives Jay Nathwani and Joel Renner (Idaho National Engineering & Environmental Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho) asked for...

You bring it up, so why not clean it up?
January 1, 2004... Water treatment is a multi-billion dollar industry that primarily is being tapped by the water treatment professional. Why isn't the water well contractor tapping into the market first? Why are hundreds to thousands of dollars being given...

Water treatment options.
January 1, 2004... According to the Water Quality Association (WQA), three-fourths of Americans don't think that their water supply is as safe as it could be. Any number of environmental and chemical problems have an impact on water quality, but there are various...

To chlorinate or not: despite pressures, chlorine remains the disinfectant of choice for water treatment professionals.
January 1, 2004... A recent on-line survey of water treatment professionals found that most treatment facilities continue to use chlorine as the primary disinfectant, despite some pressure to consider alternative options. The Chlorine Chemistry Council (CCC)...

One size does not fit all.
January 1, 2004... As with fingerprints, no two water samples are ever the same, and water-use patterns differ. Every supply of water provides different challenges and requirements to make that water aesthetically pleasing and palatable. Every water-conditioning...

Sodium and water softeners.
January 1, 2004... You are talking to your customer about buying a water softener, and he or she asks, "How much salt will this water softener add to my water?" How will you answer? Many water systems and treatment professionals will be asked this question. As a...

Sanitary drilling practices: ensure thorough disinfection before the well even is built.
January 1, 2004... The introduction of microbial contaminants, including coliform bacteria, into newly constructed wells can be minimized by practicing good general sanitation during storage, transport, handling and installation of well components. Proper...

Sampling of ground water monitoring wells--Part 2: turbidity effects on contaminants.
January 1, 2004... Last month, in Part 1 of this series, it was shown that traditional sampling techniques can adversely affect the quality of collected samples due to the entrainment of artificially generated turbidity. The following explains how hydrogeologic...

Be a great manager; the business management files.(Portfolio)
January 1, 2004... Management consultant Peter Stark suggests using these following strategies if you want to become the very best: * Develop a positive vision. See success before it even arrives. For example, successful managers--when visualizing themselves...

Grouting with bentonite in Maryland's hydrogeologic areas.(Drilling Fluids)
January 1, 2004... A while ago, I had the opportunity to give a presentation at the Maryland Delaware Water Well Association's annual convention held in Baltimore. My topic addressed an issue talked about for years within the drilling community --grouting with...

Trade shows, driller innovation and stress tests.(The World According to Wayne)
January 1, 2004... Now that the weather is cooling off and the peak season has passed, it's getting to be convention and seminar season. I always go to the NGWA convention and usually have a good time. Last month, it was in Orlando, which is driving distance, but...

Bush signs water-energy bill.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... President Bush recently signed into law a $27.3 billion water and energy appropriations bill that is packed with hundreds of water projects from all over the United States. The projects include $2.2 million to help restore the Illinois...

Ground water cleanup approved.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... Congress has appropriated $10 million in federal funds to pay for ongoing cleanup of the San Gabriel Valley's contaminated ground water. The money was approved as part of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for the fiscal...

Kansas sets drilling restraints.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... Kansas' chief water engineer recently imposed strict restraints on drilling new wells in 52 southwest Kansas townships, due to declines in the underground water supply extracted from the Ogallala Aquifer. Under the new order from the...

Clean Water Act protections eased.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... The Los Angeles Times reported Bush administration officials have drafted a rule that would exempt up to 20 million acres of wetlands from the Clean Water Act. The draft rule also would exempt water-ways without a ground water source and...

Temporary well drilling ban approved.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... The Central Platte Natural Resource District (NRD) board members recently approved a proposal to temporarily suspend new well drilling in a portion of the Central Platte NRD. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) had asked the...

Lawmakers override water study veto.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... The Illinois Senate and House have overridden Gov. Rod Blagojevich's veto of a plan to spend an estimated $2 million to study the viability of tapping into underground aquifers. The study would allow state scientists to determine whether there...

Rejected Referendum.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... Referendum A, a controversial $2 billion water-financing measure, was rejected by Colorado voters in November. The measure would have given the state the authority to issue up to $2 billion in bond debt to fund new water projects, spending...

Texas water study.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has formed a Senate committee to study proposals to lease state lands and their water rights. Dewhurst says leasing state lands and their water rights is an idea that has merit, as long as it is done carefully...

EPA administrator sworn in.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... Former Utah governor Mike Leavitt recently was sworn in as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) tenth administrator. Marianne Horinko, the acting EPA administrator, will return to her old position as the agency's assistant...

Storm water runoff issue.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... A plan to prevent potential flooding and water pollution resulting from the wildfires was put off by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors because of fiscal concerns. Houses damaged by the recent fires contain numerous toxic and...

Draft policy on blending.(Legislative Update)
January 1, 2004... The Bush administration recently proposed to allow sewage treatment plants to release partially treated sewage into waterways when utilities are inundated with wastewater during heavy rainstorms or snowmelts. The EPA has issued a draft...

Waste ponds could make reservoir sites.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... For two years, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has focused on getting rid of toxic waste-water stored atop of an abandoned gypsum stack in Palmetto. But DEP officials now are considering that the ponds, drained of acidic...

Canada beckons: CanWell 2004.(New Scope)
January 1, 2004... CanWell 2004 will be the bi-annual Pan Canadian convention and conference on ground water, gathering all the professionals from the groundwater industry and the academics from Canada and abroad. The event--April 21-24--will combine a 2-day...

The Cutters go rving.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
January 1, 2004... When Bess and I were young with our first son, Randy, we thought we wanted a motor home. They were almost unheard of at the time. As the Cutters are known to do the unusual, we made our own. We purchased a used Metro milk delivery truck and...

Payne buys another Rig Tender.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Gary Payne, owner of Payne Well Drilling, Inc., Stephenson, Va., has purchased his second RTT-Rig Tender from Flatwater Fleet Inc. The 1,500-gallon unit includes a hydraulic-powered 5,000-pound-capacity crane with radio remote control, air-op...

Davidson well purchases a Hydro-Frac.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Barry Davidson and a helper from Davidson Well Drilling, Turnersville, Ga., are shown with a new diesel/hydraulic Kyle Hydro-Frac module. This unit, weighing 2,300 pounds, is capable of up to 3,000 psi and up to 80 gpm. An integrated packer...

Terry's Well Service obtains a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Terry's Well Service, located in Olivet, Mich., recently visited the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up the new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist it purchased through Laibe Corp., Indianapolis. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Higgins delivers Speedstar.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Bill Pulliam, Pulliam Well Drilling, Napa, Calif., has purchased this 1986 Speedstar SQD275 from the Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky. His unit is equipped with a 300 joy compressor, 5-by-6 mud pump and is mounted on a 1986 International...

New Schramm arrives at Bryant's.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Bryant's Pump Service and Well Drilling, Ocala, Fla., recently accepted delivery of a new T300M Rotadrill, the sale of which was assisted by Atlantic Drilling Supply, Largo, Fla. The rig is equipped with 5-by-6 mud pump, 400/200 compressor and...

A new SEMCO for Layne Christensen.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Matt and Dan of Layne Christensen Co., Aurora, Colo., pick up their new SEMCO $30,000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Henshaw takes delivery from Amthor.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Henshaw Well Drilling, Springfield, Mass., recently received a brand new Nautiless waterbed from Amthor Inc. The body is 2,000 gallons and 23 feet in length with 16 body stakes; all the toolboxes contain aluminum-extruded doors. ...

Aqua Well & Pump acquires a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Terry Crowell of Aqua Well & Pump Systems Inc., North Prairie, Wis., recently bought a new Pulstar P10000HD3L. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

James Drilling chooses Flatwater Fleet.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Mike Keaton, owner of James Drilling, Co., Arvada, Colo., has purchased his fifth Drillsite Tender from Flatwater Fleet Inc. The 1,800-gallon RST-Rig Supplier included a hydraulic-powered 5,000-pound-capacity crane with radio remote control,...

OJO Springs procures a DRSB.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... OJO Springs Water Drilling and Well Service of La Veta, Colo., purchased this DRSB 2000 from North Central Manufacturing, Saginaw, Minn. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Craig Farrow buys from Higgins.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Craig Farrow, Wilmington, N.C., purchased this Hillyard drill rig from the Higgins Rig Co., located in Hodgenville, Ky. This drill equipped with a 5-by-6 Gardner Denver mud pump, a 471 Detroit deck engine and is mounted on a 1979 Ford truck ...

K.L. Madron works with North Central.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Ken Madron of K.L. Madron Drilling Co. acquired his second DRSB 1500 from North Central Manufacturing, Saginaw, Minn. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pulstar and Berchtold do business.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Garth Berchtold of Berchtold Water Well Service, Riverside, Calif., recently was at the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up his new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist purchased through CPS Inc., Sacramento, Calif. [ILLUSTRATION...

Higgins sells a Gus Pech.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... The Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky., sold this 1978 Gus Pech F48 to Mark Drogovich, Geotechnical Construction, Mt. Olive, Ill. His drill is equipped with gas deck engine and is mounted on a 1986 International truck. [ILLUSTRATION...

Heikens Well goes with Flatwater Fleet.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Tim Heikens, owner of Heikens Well, Inc., Courtland, Va., has purchased the company's first RBT-Rig Buddy from Flatwater Fleet Inc. The 500-gallon unit included a 230-gallon divided fuel tank, rear folding workers platform, rear-located front...

Rig delivery for Aquarius.(Trading Post)
January 1, 2004... Aquarius Well Drilling, Inc., located in Mt. Shasta, Calif., recently took delivery of a new T450WS Rotadrill. The rig is equipped with 900/350 air, extended mast and casing hammer. Tom Runyon, Schramm's western U.S. regional sales manager,...