National Driller articles from May 2004

National Driller archives from May 2004

Clearing out the in-box.(For Openers)
May 1, 2004... * Gasoline prices might be garnering most of the general public's attention, but firms that have to deal with the steel industry are taking an even bigger whack. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * UL brings its name recognition to the well water...

12 reasons to just say "no": turning down a job goes against human nature but often is a wise thing to do.(Smart Business)
May 1, 2004... A very large and successful contractor once told me that the key to success in his business was knowing which jobs to turn down. Everyone who's been around the construction industry for a few years has heard horror stories about jobs gone sour....

Why we are short-handed.(The World According to Wayne)
May 1, 2004... I've been thinking about why the drilling industry is having so much trouble attracting and retaining new help. Part of the reason is that we are the last of the independents. The cowboys of the Old West were made of the same stock. They had...

Achieving peak demand: the fundamentals of pumped water systems; pressure tanks can help a low-yield well meet peak demand.(Tech Topics)
May 1, 2004... When peak demand requirements of a water system exceed the performance capability of a well, additional storage is called for. There are two common approaches. The first is to pump from the well into a non-pressurized storage tank and use a...

Water bill passed.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... A new bill passed by the Wisconsin legislature will charge homeowners drilling a well a fee so that the Department of Natural Resources can determine if the well would have a negative impact on ground water supplies. The bill, AB 926, is...

Water protection bills are approved.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... The Senate Environment Committee has approved a package of water protection bills. The first bill, S-196, would allow the state's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to use eminent domain to condemn property and then purchase that...

Water project included in Minnesota bonding bill.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Minnesota state representative Doug Magnus has sponsored legislation to include the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System project in a state-bonding bill. The project, which would draw water from the Missouri River, would provide water...

EPA approves water standards.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 recently approved major revisions to Oregon's water quality standards submitted by the state's Department of Environmental Quality. The new standards establish methods to implement the...

Senate approves budget amendment.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... The U.S. Senate has approved a bipartisan amendment to the fiscal year 2005 budget resolution that adds $3 billion in budget authority for EPA clean water and drinking water state revolving fund (SRF) loan programs. The Bush...

California sets perchlorate goal.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... The California Environmental Protection Agency has set its public health goal at six parts per billion for perchlorate, the first level set in the country. A representative of the state EPA's Office of Environmental Health Hazard...

Lead contamination addressed.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Congressional leaders are urging the EPA to change its rules governing lead contamination of drinking water, citing the recent lead contamination crisis in Washington, D.C. In a letter to the EPA's water administrator, members of the House...

Water diversion bill introduced.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Legislation to regulate the amount of water that can be pumped from wells and surface waters was recently sponsored by two Michigan representatives. The Michigan Water Legacy Act would require permits or conservation plans from major users...

Legislation to promote desalination.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Legislation aimed at encouraging the development of desalination projects as a means of addressing the nation's water supply problems was recently introduced in the House by a bipartisan group of 22 Congressional representatives from Florida,...

Private well testing proposed.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... New York assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli has proposed a bill requiring all private wells in New York be tested for a variety of contaminants whenever a home is sold. According to an article in the Poughkeepsie Journal, the bill would require...

New Mexico's water plan.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Several bills recently were introduced in the New Mexico legislature. One bill that passed makes it possible for Public Service Company of New Mexico to start using water from oil and gas drilling for cooling at San Juan Generating Station near...

Lawmakers repeal water fee.(Legislative Update)
May 1, 2004... Colorado lawmakers recently voted to repeal a water administration fee approved last year to help generate money for the state budget. The House Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a plan to refund...

Lone star state convention.
May 1, 2004... The Texas Ground Water Association (TGWA) held its 57th annual convention and trade show Jan. 27-30, in Waco, Texas. More than 80 exhibitors were on hand at the exhibit hall to display their wares, giving attendees a chance to see some of the...

Dowsing--the fruitful art.(Guest Column)
May 1, 2004... The word "dowsing," to the general public, likely evokes a stereotypic image of an old farmer in coveralls trudging across his fields with a forked stick. A more varied image is likely to be invoked in the average driller who has had more...

The big rigs.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2004... There was a time when it was a whole lot easier to discuss "big drilling rigs." People would talk about small rigs, medium-sized rigs and big rigs and there wasn't any confusion as to what was being addressed. Those days are no longer. ...

Irrigation wellhead protection checklist.
May 1, 2004... Like drinking water wells, irrigation wells require proper maintenance and protection to prevent ground water contamination. The location of the well, soil type, crop management and irrigation practices all could contribute to water supply...

IAGP sees 76 years.
May 1, 2004... This spring, the Illinois Association of Groundwater Professionals marked another successful meeting and trade show, celebrating its 76th year in style. The historic Hotel Pere Marquette in downtown Peoria, Ill., was home to this year's...

Restrained joint pipe systems.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... Yelomine IB is the next generation in restrained joint pipe systems for HDD and the mining industry from Certain Teed. Yelomine IB is a PVC pressure piping system featuring an interlocking bell-shaped joint that eliminates the need for...

Monitoring well extraction tool.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... Max's Enterprises Inc. announces the development of a new monitoring well extraction tool that is designed to be safe and easy to use. The tool, made to conform to both industry standard 2-inch and 4-inch Schedule 40 PVC risers, is a...

Non-fermenting drilling fluid.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... Quik-Trol LV, a modified non-fermenting cellulosic polymer from Baroid IDP, has applications that include lower filtrate loss to formation, reduced filtrate invasion into the production zone, enhanced borehole stability as well as clay and...

Product Brochure.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... SJE-Rhombus introduces its new All Product Brochure. This brochure has been developed to provide quick and easy access to information on SJE-Rhombus liquid level control products. It details the company's water/wastewater engineered products,...

Compact rig.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... The new CME-55LC from Central Mine Equipment Co. has a feed-and-retract system and a quick disconnect mast that allows it to work under service station canopies, bridges or other overhead restrictions. The overall working height with the mast...

Telemetry instrument.(Product Info)
May 1, 2004... The TorqueTrak 9000 Digital Telemetry System from Binsfeld Engineering Inc. measures true mechanical torque on a rotating drive shaft, independent of motor conditions. The sensor input to the Binsfeld system is a strain gage bonded to the...

Coming events.(Calendar)
May 1, 2004... MAY 5-6 Ground Water & Environmental Law Conference Chicago Phone: 800-551-7379 12 Northeast Rural Water Association Annual Conference & Tradeshow Fairlee, Vt. 800-556-3792 www.neruralwater.org 13-16...

Testing well water quality.(Water Treatment Topics)
May 1, 2004... If you're thinking about breaking into the water treatment aspect of the industry, promoting or providing water testing can be a way into that market. Well owners, responsible for ensuring their own water quality, should be testing their wells...

Great lake state celebration.
May 1, 2004... The Michigan water well drilling industry got together Mar. 15-16, in Lansing, Mich., as the Michigan Ground Water Association (MGWA) put on its 76th annual convention. [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Of the more than 700 people in attendance, some...

Trends in foundation drilling.
May 1, 2004... We talked to a few contractors in different parts of the country to get a sense of what's taking place in the foundation-drilling sector, and by all accounts, there's a great deal of going on. Drilled shaft projects, in particular, are...

Pacific Northwest Expo.(NewScope)
May 1, 2004... National Driller is commited to providing you the most current NewScope information. All information is accurate and up-to-date as of the printing of this publication, however, some news information may change. Please go to National Driller's...

At the center of attention: joining forces to serve customers better.(Advertorial Feature)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2004... Atlas Copco has signed an agreement to acquire Ingersoll-Rand Drilling Solutions business, which is now subject to various approvals. On completion of the acquisition, Atlas Copco will be in a position to give a more complete scope of...

Economic outlook.
May 1, 2004... These days, when discussing what's going on in any industry, economic trends inevitably become part of the conversation. Fortunately, in this case, the lagging economy seems to be reviving. Last year was more difficult, Eric Reuther...

Hydrogen sulfide removal system.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... The Odor Oxidizer by Amtrol eliminates sulfur odor from well water without chemical catalysts. It uses filtered ambient oxygen to naturally convert hydrogen sulfide into water and precipitated sulfur, and no sulfur is released into the air. The...

Water softener series.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Water Right's Impression Series water softeners are designed to offer advanced controls and system performance while removing unwanted minerals from household water, using minimal salt and water. A microprocessor-based control and LCD display...

Water filtration product line.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Omnifilter offers an extensive line of water filtration products. Products in the Omnifilter line include whole house, undersink, refrigerator/ice maker, faucet-mount and countertop or shower as well as filters designed to ensure cleaner, safer...

Electrodeionization technology for power applications.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Ionics Inc. offers Electrodeionization (EDI) technology, which provides high-capacity boiler feed water, making it a solution for power applications. EDI is a continuous process for producing high-purity water using ionexchange membranes,...

Ultraviolet water purification.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Offering 40 gallons per minute, Atlantic Ultraviolet Corp.'s SANITRON TM Model S2400C ultraviolet units are constructed of type 316 stainless steel and have dual heads that can be removed or rotated. Units feature fused quartz sleeves, which...

Well and municipal water treatment.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Aqua Environmental Products offers Sigma 2000, a system designed to provide quality drinking water. Engineered to remove environmental pollutants, dissolved heavy metals, harsh chemicals and VOCs as well as control microorganisms, this...

Adsorption technology.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... MEDIA G2 from ADI International is an iron-based adsorption treatment technology for removing arsenic from ground water for potable use. The technology involves adsorption of arsenic onto the MEDIA G2 filter media as water passes through it....

Water treatment systems.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... CAI Technologies Water Treatment Division supplies residential, commercial and industrial water treatment systems to wholesale and retail customers world-wide. CAI offers an array of pre-engineered systems and have the capabilities to...

Equipment for water conditioning.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Midamerica Water Treatment manufactures and distributes water-conditioning equipment. Complete assembled units or individual component parts can be purchased. The company's large inventory includes residential and commercial water conditioners,...

Portable field kits.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Industrial Test Systems Inc. is pleased to announce the release of its two new portable field kits designed specifically for water well drillers. The Well Driller's Test Kit--Master offers 15 test parameters that can be done on-site without any...

System offers simplicity.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... The Ultra Computerized Demand softener, manufactured by North Star Water Conditioning, is designed to offer simplicity of installation and start-up as well as efficient system diagnostic and water management features. Softeners are available in...

Wound carbon cartridge.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Keystone Filter offers the 4.5-inch O.D. GIANT wound carbon cartridge. A single 10-inch GIANT cartridge can remove tastes and odors throughout smaller homes, or two cartridges can be coupled for large homes and commercial applications. The...

Sanitizer pellets.(Water Treatment)
May 1, 2004... Well Sanitizer pellets from Autotrol are semi-soft, fast dissolving and are small enough to pass through small restrictions in the well. The pellets are made in a 70-percent concentration for shock treating wells after service. They help...

Plan and maintain consistent drilling fluids.(Drilling Fluids)
May 1, 2004... Recently, I was contacted by a water well contractor in New Mexico, who was drilling a large-diameter irrigation well in an area consisting of loose sand and gravel. The contractor's competitor had been drilling on a hole for four weeks and had...

Porky's travels at 16.(Porky's Hole Thoughts)
May 1, 2004... When I turned 16, my dad bought me a 1947 Jeep station wagon. My childhood best friend, Olin Romhild, and myself decided to take a trip to Colorado. Olin was slim and 6 foot, 6 inches tall. Together, we looked a little like Mutt and Jeff. ...

Irrigation water conservation.(NewScope)
May 1, 2004... From our friends at U.S. Water News Online (www.uswaternews.com): Smart controllers are likely to be among the first irrigation products to get water-efficient labels from a proposed water conservation awareness program, says Tom Kimmell,...

Mello & Son's acquires a new Smeal.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Wes and Jenny Mello, Mello & Son's Pumps & Motors, Arroyo Grande, Calif., take delivery of a new 2003 Ford SD 6.0 diesel 4-by-4 XLT package with a 5T Smeal. It's their second 5T Smeal in eight years of business; this rig was purchased through...

Lifetime takes delivery from GEFco N.E.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Lifetime Well Drilling, Denton, Md., receives a new Failing CF-15 drilling rig. Pictured from left to right: Rocky Milano, GEFco N.E. regional manager, and Ken and Ben Wood. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Higgins sells to Mexico.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Higgins Rig Co., Hodgenville, Ky., delivered this 1979 Midway 13M to Mexico. Roberto Garza purchased this unit to drill water wells. The rig is equipped with a Leroi compressor, 5-by-6 mud pump and is mounted on an International. ...

Arnie's Pump Service purchases a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Arnie's Pump Service, located in Rake, Iowa, recently purchased a Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist through NDS Drilling Supply, Elko, Minn. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Clark receives new SIMCO.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Rick Clark of Clark Well Drilling, Mendon, Mich., accepts delivery of his new SIMCO 2800 HS(HT) rig from Jeff McFee of SIMCO Drilling Equipment. Mounted on a F550 4-by-4, this PTO-powered rig is set up to drill shallow water wells. ...

McPherson Drilling obtains a Pulstar.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Marty McPherson, McPherson Drilling Inc., Nemo, Texas, recently visited the Pulstar Mfg. facility in Dodge, Neb., to pick up his new Pulstar P10000HD3L pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pine State Drilling chooses Flatwater Fleet.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Pine State Drilling, Athens, Maine, has purchased its first RTT-Rig Tender, Model RTA-2100 from Flatwater Fleet Inc. This 2,100-gallon unit came with a special DOT-compliant 230-gallon divided fuel tank with an air-operated pump, 100-foot water...

Durham buys from higgins.(Trading Post)
May 1, 2004... Higgins Rig Co. of Hodgenville, Ky., sold this Speedstar 55 to Brent Durham, Richville, N.Y. Brent's rig is equipped with a four-cylinder Continental deck engine, 36-foot telescoping derrick and is mounted on a GMC truck. [ILLUSTRATION...