National Driller articles from March 2003

National Driller archives from March 2003

It's still not too late. (For Openers).
March 1, 2003... Last month in this space we reminded you that March 16-22 is Ground Water Awareness Week. We hope everyone is doing the best they can to take advantage of this opportunity to advance both the industry in general and their own companies, in...

Questions. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2003... Green jackets are exclusive awards granted only to those professionals who have accomplished a life of education within the ground water industry. Each member of National Ground Water Association who completes all certification exams and passes...

Green jackets. (Letters to the Editor).
March 1, 2003... My husband, Darrell Dake, MGWC, has retired from the U.S. Air Force, Texas State Guard, as well as being a Master Ground Water Contractor MGWC). He now does teaching, lecturing and consulting in the water well industry and is still active in...

Are you listening to WIFM? (Marketing Strategies).(technicians' views on the future and their jobs)
March 1, 2003... Unless you are listening to WIFM, you may be missing valuable information about your business, including important feedback from your technicians. No, WIFM isn't a radio station. The letters are not call letters, but an acronym for...

A customer's rant: I don't give a hoot who I deal with, as long as it benefits Numero Uno! (Smart Business).
March 1, 2003... I hate it when you don't show up on time. I hate it when you're slow in returing my phone calls. I hate it when you point fingers at the builder, the property manager, the supplier, rush-hour traffic, the weather, someone calling in sick or any...

How centrifugal pumps lift water: the fundamentals of pumped water systems. (Tech Topics).
March 1, 2003... Before looking at the mechanics of how centrifugal pumps lift water, we need to talk a little about atmospheric pressure because it is the physical property that allows a pump to lift water. Just as deep-sea divers experience increasing...

Biodegradable drilling fluid key to horizontal remediation project. (Drilling Fluids).
March 1, 2003... The project mentioned in this article took place at a hazardous waste site located in Virginia and demonstrates the value of biodegradable drilling fluids. The Environmental Protection Agency chose to remediate the site using horizontally...

Submersible solar pump. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Kyocera Solar Inc.'s SD series of submersible solar pumps can be installed below water level in a pond, river or cistern, or installed by hand into a ground' water well. They operate on 12 to 30 volts of direct current that may be supplied from...

Constant pressure water system package. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Flint & Walling Inc. has created five new constant pressure water system packages. The systems are designed to provide flows of 3-to 53-gpm and pressures ranging from 25- to 80-psi, depending on the model chosen. The complete packages include...

Downhole video inspection. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... The new SlimCAM R22 downhole video inspection camera from LAVAL Underground Surveys is designed for applications as small as 2 inches and as large as 10 inches in diameter. Only 1.85 inches in diameter, 33 inches long and 14. pounds, it fits...

Geothermal grouter. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... The Geo-Loop 50-500 grout system from Geo-Loop Inc. features a grout pump constructed of a 5-inch bore, 8-inch piston pump with chrome-lined cylinders and hammer union construction. Driven by a 20-HP Honda engine, the - grout pump has a...

Work lights. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Superior Signals Inc. introduces its new 3000 series Safe-T-Alert work lamp. Intended to function in adverse environments, the model STA3300012 features a rugged Par 36 rubber housing that is weatherproof and shock absorbing to protect the...

Liquid dispersant. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Baroid Industrial Drilling Products offers Aqua-Clear PFD; a phosphate-free dispersant. Intended for use ia water well development and rehabilitation to disperse mud, sediment and bentonite clay, it is available as a concentrated liquid...

Teaching kids about water. (Newscope).(Groundwater Foundation, Festival Expedition in conjunction with Children's Groundwater Festival)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Groundwater Foundation hosts this year's Festival Expedition in Grand Island, Neb. Mar. 17-18. Held in conjunction with the Children's Groundwater Festival, the Expedition is a conference that explores how to hold a children's water...

Business development. (The Business Management Files).( construction industry)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Don't feel alone if you are concerned about our economy turning around. "This year presents a lot of uncertainty for the construction industry," states Mr. John Kreiss, a principal with ZweigWhite specializing in contractor consulting services....

The chemistry of leadership. (The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Thomas Drier, writing in his book, "The Executive As a Human Chemist," tells us that we are drawn to men and women who do not attempt to change our natures, but rather use our natures to the fullest possible extent. These people come...

High-tech drill. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... Versa-Drill International Inc. builds the high-tech Advantage V-2000 drill rig. What sets this drill apart is its low-profile design complemented with a 6-by-6 carrier mounting; patented operator-friendly features, such as Versa-Drill's totally...

Dual rotary drill. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... Known primarily for its ability to set casing in difficult formations, the Foremost DR-12 now is available with a rod box and single-arm loader to provide faster loading in openhole applications and on tight work sites. The DR-12 rod box holds...

Mid-range rig. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... With 70,000 pounds of pullback and the ability to drill more than 2,000 feet in normal conditions, the new Ingersoll-Rand T3W-DH70 mid-range water well drill is designed for maximum performance in water well drilling applications. Engineered to...

Heavy-duty, heavy-hoist rig. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... The Schramm T130XD Rotadrill is a heavy-duty, heavy-hoist (130,000 pounds), carrier-mounted drill rig. Equipped with a Schramm Telemast, its telescoping construction permits long head travel (50 ft.) and working height to allow use of range III...

Compact rig. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... This compact DRI50 from DeepRock Manufacturing, mounted on a Ford F550 4-wheel drive truck, features a 1,000-pound piston mud pump that produces 26O-gpm at 400-psi. Another highlight is its automated rod handling device that moves the drill...

Model M-75. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... Enid Drill Systems Inc.'s model M75, shown on location in Colorado, features a strong 60,000-pound hookload mast, 3 drum drawworks and a high volume centrifugal pump. EDSI offers a large selection of new and used rigs as well as complete rig...

All-hydraulic rig line. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... The Aqua Tech line is a complete line of all-hydraulic drilling rigs for wells up to 5,000 feet deep. The HTD line includes four standard top-drive rigs, and the HRT line includes two standard table-drive rigs. All rigs are mounted on a...

Geothermal drilling. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... The SIMCO 2800 HS (HT) has been designed with geothermal drilling in mind. PTO-powered with dual hydrostatic systems, the rig features either a diesel-powered Ford F550 4-by-4 or 4-by-2; a 2,840 foot/pound and 0-rpm to 185-rpm drillhead with...

All-terrain horizontal directional drill. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... The Ditch Witch JT4020 all-terrain horizontal directional drilling system provides hard rock-drilling capabilities. Using a mechanical dual-drive drilling system, the self-contained 40,000-pound pullback model permits drilling and steering...

Restricted space access. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... Acker Drill Company's new Soil-XLS is an all-hydraulic, high-torque drill rig specifically designed for soil investigation, ground water monitoring or core drilling with multiple mast positions for easy access in restricted spaces. Features...

Direct-push unit. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... AMS Inc.'s VTR Pro PowerProbe direct-push unit offers over 47,500 pounds of pull up capability and 33,000 pounds of available down force. The hydraulic lateral side-to-side movement and the in-and-out movement enable the operator to work in an...

Drilling unit. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... Midway Rig Inc. presents the Midway 13 MA, a rig that is mounted on a new 2000 Mack truck. The drilling rig specifications include 24 MA drawworks with air clutches; derrick with 34-foot working height, hydraulically raised and lowered with two...

Rig for "last mile" operations. (Drill Rig Roundup).
March 1, 2003... The compact Grundodrill 4X from TT Technologies is specifically designed for residential service and "last mile" operations. It offers 9,200 pounds of thrust and pullback. This drill features a dual hydrostatic pump system, giving the operator...

Geothermal drilling research.
March 1, 2003... The driller, hard hat and coveralls splashed with mud and grease, stands before the rig floor console and watches the drill string turn. Ten thousand feet below, at the other end of the spinning sting of pipe, the bit chews away at a hot, hard...

Tapping a well of giving.(water well driller Mickey Moore soon will be heading to Nicaragua, Central America, to donate a month of his time to help provide potable water for the needy. )
March 1, 2003... While many of us search for ways we can give back to our communities and while we also may look for a chance to go overseas, a Bristow, Okla., man has the opportunity to do both. In conjunction with the Tulsa Rotary Club, water well driller...

Senate revolving fund bill to be reintroduced. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Senator George Voinovich, Ohio, plans to reintroduce legislation to reauthorize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program. The new legislation, known as S. 170 reportedly will be the same as 5.252, the Clean Water Infrastructure Financing...

EPA finalizes Water Quality Trading Policy. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The EPA recently issued a final Water Quality Trading Policy in the Federal Register. "The Water Quality Trading Policy I am announcing today recognizes that within a watershed, the most effective and economical way to reduce pollution is to...

Water quality programs could be cut. (Legislative Update).(in Minnesota)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... According to the Minnesota State pollution control officials, water quality programs could be affected by budget cuts proposed by its former Governor, Jesse Ventura. A proposal would cut about $423,000 from the Minnesota Pollution Control...

U.S. may open oil reserve. (Legislative Update).(the 8.8 million acre Northwest Planning Area of the National Petroleum Reserve--Alaska)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Bush administration is proposing to open almost nine million acres of Alaska to new oil and natural gas leases. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recently released a draft environmental impact statement analyzing four alternatives for...

New Mexico receives grants. (Legislative Update).(awarded $1.4 million to improve the quality, management efficiency and public information for regulating its public drinking water systems)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has been awarded $1.4 million to improve the quality, management efficiency and public information for regulating its public drinking water systems. The grant, provided by the EPA, is the...

U.S. and Mexico reach water agreement. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The United States and Mexico recently reached an agreement aimed at settling a long running dispute over Mexico's use of water from the Rio Grande River. Under the agreement, Mexico will provide at least 400,000 acre-feet of water to the...

Governor pledges $90M. (Legislative Update).(Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has pledged more than $90 million to improve drinking water supplies and sewage systems )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has pledged more than $90 million to improve drinking water supplies and sewage systems and another $23 million to reduce harmful nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake Bay. The Ehrlich administration also...

Oregon proposes loan changes. (Legislative Update).(Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is proposing to make several changes to its clean water state revolving fund program)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) is proposing to make several changes to its clean water state revolving fund program that loans money to public agencies for a variety of water quality improvement projects. The ODEQ...

Laws proposed for bottled water. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Environmentalists and the East Bay Municipal Utility District in Sacramento, Calif., want bottled water to follow the same disclosure rules as tap water. Makers of bottled water say there already is plenty of disclosure about their water's...

Fracturing technologies to enhance remediation--Part 1.
March 1, 2003... Over the last decade, fracturing techniques have emerged as viable methods for enhanced remediation of contaminated soils and ground water. The general approach is to create a network of artificial fractures in a geologic formation that serves...

No worries when HDD is on the job.(Henniker Directional Drilling LLC)(Company Profile)
March 1, 2003... The customer was in a rather desperate position; Henniker was there to answer the call. Mother Nature threw a geologic curveball; Henniker nonchalantly brushed aside that wannabe challenge. Speaking with Henniker's Jeff Martin, you sense a...

Evans utilizes DTH for geothermal job. (Project Profile).(Evans Energy Development Inc.)
March 1, 2003... Drilling contractors throughout the years have been frustrated with the challenges presented by the harder rock formations. Today, with advances in drilling technology and methodology, drillers increasingly are turning to DTH hammers and bits...

EPA rules upheld by appeals court. (Legislative Update).(stormwater program is constitutional)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco found that the EPA's stormwater program is constitutional, rejecting claims that the agency exceeded its authority by requiring cities and developers to decontaminate stormwater before discharging it...

EPA plans to discard runoff rule. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The EPA recently announced that it is proposing to withdraw a July 2000 rule that revised the agency's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program under the Clean Water Act. The 2000 final rule was determined to be unworkable based on reasons...

Washington state updates water rules. (Legislative Update).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Washington Ecology Department is overhauling and strengthening the state's water quality standards for the first time in a decade and wants state residents' opinions. The standards limit pollution in Washington's lakes, rivers and marine...

Soil contamination: naturally occurring or artificially present? (Kwader's Corner).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... At some contaminated sites, there is no doubt that the soil and ground water contamination was caused by activities associated with operations of the facility. At other sites, the contamination, particularly from metals such as arsenic, lead,...

Unnecessary surgery. (The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... According to a study by the Rand Corp., a significant number of surgical and medical procedures are performed unnecessarily. For example, among the five most common procedures performed in the United States, the study concludes: Fourteen...

Asking questions. (The Business Management Files).(review of "Problem Employees: How to Improve Their Performance," by Peter Wylie and Mardy Grothe )(Book Review)
March 1, 2003... In their book, "Problem Employees: How to Improve Their Performance," Peter Wylie and Mardy Grothe tell of four types of questions you can ask employees to find out what they're thinking. Open-ended. These questions make it difficult for...

Monitoring well network design.
March 1, 2003... The number and placement of wells needed to ensure adequate monitoring of ground water contamination is a function of many site-specific characteristics. In addition, there are many things unrelated to site characteristics that may affect the...

Water well maintenance loan plan. (Newscope).(Water Systems Council has joined with the Monongalia County Health Department in West Virginia to help rural low- and moderate-income homeowners repair or replace individual wells )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Water Systems Council has joined with the Monongalia County Health Department in West Virginia to help rural low- and moderate-income homeowners repair or replace individual wells that are failing due to age, lack of maintenance or...

STA-Rite promotes Sauvageau. (Newscope).(STA-Rite Industries, Delavan, Wis., has named Rick Sauvageau as the new western regional sales manager )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... STA-Rite Industries, Delavan, Wis., has named Rick Sauvageau as the new western regional sales manager for its Water Systems Group. Having joined the company as district sales manager in 1991, Sauvageau has held management positions in both...

MGWC Green Jackets. (Porky's Hole Thoughts).
March 1, 2003... Recently, at the 2002 NGWA Exposition in Las Vegas, the Master Ground Water Contractors (MGWCs) -- the Green Jackets -- had their luncheon meeting. The first issue brought up by one of our masters was that he thought the green jackets were too...

Injection molded fittings. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Plastic Trends Inc. has expanded its line of injection molded PVC SCH 40 DWV fittings, now ranging from 4 inches to 12 inches and including 4-inch and 6-inch backwater valves. PVC solvent-weld DWV fittings are third party tested and certified...

Drilling and casing method. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... TUBEX XL is Driltech Missions system for simultaneous drilling and casing in overburden and loose rock formations. The reamer bit, made larger to cut the hole wider, rotates by means of an internal driver, making it independent of the rotation...

Telescopic forklift. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... The JBC-manufactured Tefetruk from Sellick Equipment Ltd. is a 6,000-pound capacity, industrial pneumatic tire forklift truck that incorporates telescopic boom technology instead of a vertical mast design. Capable of reaching over large...

Diaphragm design tanks. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Jet-Rite tanks from Flexcon Industries are well suited for booster systems, shallow jet pumps and centrifugal pump configurations. Featuring a patented, con trolled-action diaphragm design, these tanks completely contain drawdown water, and the...

In-line turbine flow meter series. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... FloCat's C-ES45-C family of 2-inch to 8-inch turbine flow meters is available in three body parts: PVC, 304 stainless steel and carbon steel. Products in the CES45-C series feature a precision-machined helical rotor, the only moving part. The...

Reverse osmosis appliance. (Product Info).
March 1, 2003... Composed of NSF- and FDA- compliant materials, Ionics Inc.'s exclusive post filter reverse osmosis system passes 1987 EPA microbiological purification standards. Producing 35 gallons a day, it shows greater than 96-percent rejection. The first...

My road trip. (The World According to Wayne).
March 1, 2003... Every winter, drillers get a natural slowdown in rush jobs, and sometimes work comes to a dead halt for a few weeks. It's always been like this for me, and besides, it's usually cold weather and no fun drilling. I expect it and prepare for it....

Skill-building tips. (The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Our friends at the Kessler Exchange in Northridge, Calif., offer these five-minute skill-building activities that can boost productivity, confidence and enthusiasm. Look over your plans for the day. Try to eliminate one activity that's not...

Take a walk--in Cincinnati. (The Business Management Files).(it's safer ther efor pedestrian)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... If you have to be a pedestrian, you're best off walking around Cincinnati, and you want to steer clear of Orlando. A recent report from the Surface Transportation Policy. Project says Mickey's central Florida home is the nation's most dangerous...

Write it to remember it. (The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Forgetfulness, a plague to many. and a concern of most, is a critical effectiveness robber. But there is a solution, and it's a habit that increases productivity tremendously -- if it's worth remembering, it's worth writing down. Writing...

Know your banker well. (The Business Management Files).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... It's important to have a strong relationship with your banker, and it's a two-way street. Watch out for danger signs signaling indifference on the part of the bank. If the bank changes your loan officer, and the new person doesn't meet...

Skaggs take home SEMCO. (Trading Post).
March 1, 2003... Kimberly and Joseph Skaggs of HydroTech Drilling, Tularosa, N.M., picked up their new 58,000 SEMCO pump hoist.

Sequim Valley Pump and Electric purchases a Pulstar P10000HD3L. (Trading Post).
March 1, 2003... Representatives from Sequim Valley Pump and Electric, Carlsborg, Wash., were at the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb. to pick up their new Pulstar Pl0000HD3L hoist, purchased through Mitchell Water & Waste of Wilsonville, Ore.

New Driltech arrives at Virginia Well Drilling. (Trading Post).(Driltech Model T25K5W)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Virginia Well Drilling, Bridgewater, Va., bought another new Driltech Model T25K5W from Rotary Drilling Equipment Inc., Olyphant, Pa. Accompanied by RDE representative John Medway (r), owners Richard and Sandy Benner and their son, driller Rick...

Eichelberger's gains new Rotadrill. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Eichelberger's Inc. of Mechanicsburg, Pa., took delivery of a new Schramm T450WS Rotadrill. Shown with the rig are Ted Gayman of Eichelberger and Greg Hillier of Schramm Inc.

Schramm delivers to Evans Excavating. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Greg Evans of Evans Excavating, Mt. Vernon, Ill., received a new Schramm T300M Rotadrill. Mounted on an International 4900 6-by-6, the rig is equipped with 4-by-3-by-13 centrifugal mud and 400/200 air.

Rottman receives new rig-supplier. (Trading Post).(Rottman Drilling Co)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Larry Rottman of Rottman Drilling Co., Lancaster, Calif., is depicted taking delivery of a new Flatwater Fleet RST Rig-Supplier. This 1900-gallon, 18-foot unit came with an internally coated tank and a specially modified deck to include drill...

Profile purchases two AMS PowerProbes. (Trading Post).(Profile Drilling)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Profile Drilling of Ontario, Canada, acquired two new 6930 Pro PowerProbes from AMS. Both rigs are equipped with auto drop hammers, adjustable masts for angled probing, 5,000 foot/pounds of auger torque, wash stations and tooling storage....

Myers picks up new SEMCO. (Trading Post).(John Myers III)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... John Myers III of Flagstaff Well and Supply, Flagstaff, Ariz., purchased and picked up his new S25,000 SEMCO pump hoist.

Beck's Well Service takes delivery of Pulstar P20000. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Tony Beck of Beck's Well Service, Ainsworth, Neb., is shown taking delivery of his P20000 pump hoist from Pulstar Mfg. Inc. of Dodge, Neb.

Fletcher's Well Drilling obtains SIMCO 5000WS. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Fletcher's Well Drilling, Knox, Ind., purchased this 1992 SIMCO 5000WS. Jim Price, Independent Well Rig & Supply, Mt. Pleasant, Mich., facilitated the sale.

Another RTT-Rig Tender heads to Giboor Well & Pump. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Giboor Well & Pump of Lannon, Wis., bought its second RTT-Rig Tender from Flatwater Fleet Inc. This 1,000-gallon, internally coated tank, model RTA-1000 featured a 5,000-pound live hydraulic crane, a welder rack, lead stands, a full night...

Pergerson buys from Higgins Rig Co. (Trading Post).(William Pergerson, Richmond, Va)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... William Pergerson, Richmond, Va., purchased this shop-built bucket rig from the Higgins Rig Co. of Hodgenville, Ky. Mounted on a Dodge with a gas engine, his rig is equipped with a gas deck engine and a 60-foot telescoping triple kelly.

J.E. Thomas Artesian Well Co. accepts DrilTech. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Rotary Drilling Equipment Inc., Olyphant, Pa., delivered a Dril Tech model D40K to J.E. Thomas Artesian Well Co., Moultonboro, N.H. Proudly accepting delivery are owner Jerry Thomas and driller Shawn Bross.

Higgins Rig sells Failing CFD1B. (Trading Post).(to Joe and Jesse Miller, Pelham, Ga)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Joe and Jesse Miller, Pelham, Ga. purchased this Failing CFD1B through the Higgins Rig Co., headquartered in Hodgenville, Ky. Their drill is equipped with a 5-by-6 mud pump and is mounted on a 6-by-6 Kaiser military truck.

Nelson Group sells rig in New Zealand. (Trading Post).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Acting as an independent agent, Nelson Group Inc. of Enid, Okla., recently sent a BE-28L drill rig to East Coast Drilling & Pumps Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand. Graham Taylor, president of East Coast Drilling, said the rig will be mounted on...

Alt & Witzig Engineering acquires '91 Mobile B-57. (Trading Post).(from Independent Well Rig & Supply)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Alt & Witzig Engineering of Cannel, Ind., obtained a used 1991 Mobile B-57 from Independent Well Rig & Supply, Mt. Pleasant, Mich. Larry O'Neil (Alt & witzig Engineering) and Jim Price (Independent Well Rig & Supply) stand before the purchase.

Coming events.
March 1, 2003... FEBRUARY Feb. 28-Mar.-1 Oregon Ground Water Association Spring Technical Seminar Springfield, Ore. Phone: 503-390-7080 www.ogwa.org MARCH 6-7 British Columbia Ground Water Association Annual Convention Kelowna,...