National Driller articles from November 2003

National Driller archives from November 2003

'Canes, crabs and corrections.(For Openers)
November 1, 2003... That drilling contractors are a strong and hearty lot hardly constitutes breaking news--it's a general matter-of-fact-type assumption. So it came as no surprise whatsoever that the Eastern seaboard-area drilling contractors we spoke with in...

Important considerations for abandoning monitoring wells.(Kwader's Corner)
November 1, 2003... Monitoring wells come in all shapes, sizes, depths, materials, etc. The proper abandonment method for a monitoring well depends upon how the well was constructed and the potential for vertical movement of ground water between water-bearing...

Perfectionism--is it a good thing? Most people are pleased to wear the label, but there are many negatives attached to perfectionism.(Smart Business)
November 1, 2003... Like workaholism, perfectionism often is viewed as a desirable trait in the business world, or even necessary for success. Upon closer inspection, though, studies have shown that perfectionist attitudes often interfere with success. ...

Selecting a pump: the fundamentals of pumped water systems.(Tech Topics)
November 1, 2003... During the last few articles, we laid the groundwork for pump selection by showing how to determine the amount of water needed in terms of gallons per minute, and the pressure required in terms of psi or feet of head to satisfy the requirements...

This and that.(The World According to Wayne)
November 1, 2003... It was an interesting week drilling; you never know what kind of formation you're going to drill next. I rigged up on a house well for a regular customer. The location was behind his shop where power and water lines were available. When I put...

Water Treatment: Filter housings and sediment cartridges.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Keystone Filter's Giant series filter housings are designed for high capacity, high flow applications. These housings accept 4 1/2-inch O.D. whole house sediment cartridges. Features include groove-in-top filter bowls to keep o-rings in place,...

Water Treatment: Water softeners.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... CUNO Water Treatment manufactures One Step, Simplex and Quantum control valves. They offer one-step programming, safe 24V operation and features that are said to enable easy installation, operation and service. These water softener products...

Water Treatment: Water Treatment tank.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Pentair Water Treatment announces the SP-Series SidePort tank. The SidePort is a direct replacement for galvanized steel and epoxyline steel tanks. The composite construction of the SidePort is engineered to provide durability and is...

Water Treatment: Reverse Osmosis System.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... The Flint & Walling/Star Water Systems' Undercounter Reverse Osmosis System is engineered to reduce up to 90 percent of dissolved solids, including salts, minerals, nitrates, lead and other heavy metals, and the system uses two 5-micron filters...

Water Treatment: reverse osmosis watermaker.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... The Max-Q watermaker models from Filtration Concepts Inc. produce outputs of 600, 1,000 or 1,500 gallons of clean water per day, using reverse osmosis technology. All information is displayed digitally on-screen. The units also contain...

Water Treatment: well cleaning brush.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Cotey Chemical Corp. offers a brush designed to be used with its well cleaning products. It is an all-purpose brush for use in casing and screen and can be used on cable or pipe as well. Self-cleaning, the brush allows scale particles to flush...

Water Treatment: Water softener offers advanced control.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Water-Right Inc.'s Impression Series water softeners and filters are designed to offer advanced controls and high system performance. The Impression's Adjustable Cycle Sequence feature is said to work well for low-yield wells or unusual water...

Water Treatment: line of water treatment equipment.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Along with expertise for any application, Mid America Water Treatment Inc. offers a complete line of water treatment equipment, including softeners, filters, commercial RO systems and deionizers featuring Osmonics-Autotrol brand components. The...

Water Treatment: new 4-inch water pressure tank.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... In-Well Technologies Inc. introduces its new 4-inch water pressure tank. This new tank has been designed to be installed directly into a 4-inch well casing or larger, replacing conventional-style tank installations. The No Tank eliminates the...

Water Treatment: well water conditioner.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Specifically designed by Melstream Industries Inc. for well water, the Well Tamer water softener is designed to be a maintenance-free system that resolves all well water problems. This softener removes bacteria, sulfur and arsenic from well...

Water Treatment: air-gap assembly.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... This multi-purpose air-gap assembly from Eco-Tech is designed to connect ROs and softeners to all schedule 40 standpipes. The two inches of vertical air-gap produces no splash, spray or mist under 15 gpm. Installation is designed to be fast and...

Water Treatment: Ultraviolet water purifiers offered.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... The SANITRON brand of ultraviolet water purifiers from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corp. have flow rates ranging from 120 gallons to 25,000 gallons per hour. Units feature fused quartz sleeves, which ensure maximum lamp output regardless of water...

Water Treatment: Test kits for water analysis.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Industrial Test Systems Inc. introduces test kits that are designed for reliably testing well water contaminants, including nitrate/nitrite, hardness, pH, sulfide, bacteria, metals, chlorines, chloramines and more. The portable kits use test...

Water Treatment: Household water treatment system.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Aqua Environmental Products offers the environmentally friendly Sigma 2000, a system designed to provide drinking water throughout the entire home. It is engineered to remove harsh environmental pollutants, dissolved heavy metals and harsh...

Water Treatment: Filtration system.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... Marlo Inc.'s Klear-Flo II filtration system is engineered to eliminate staining and odors caused by iron, sulfur and manganese. This filtration system elevates pH and also features multi-layered filter media for high-flow rates. Its oxidation...

Water Treatment: Chlorinators and chlorine pellets.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... B&B Chlorination manufactures the MARK I and MARK V chlorinators and chlorine pellets for the treatment of problem ground water. These chlorinators treat common ground water problems such as iron, manganese, hydrogen sulfur and nuisance algae....

Water Treatment: Corrosion-proof tank available.(Product Showcase)
November 1, 2003... WellMate Water Systems is featuring the WM35WB with integrated one-piece drain assembly. Its patented 1 1/4-inch one-piece drain assembly contains no glued components, making it more resistant to cracking from impact and cold temperatures. This...

Materials for grouting water wells.(Drilling Fluids)
November 1, 2003... Depending on where you live and work, the guidelines for grouting water wells may be completely different for you than for your counterpart in another state. While many of us wish that state regulations were more uniform, the fact is that they...

Jet grouting basics.
November 1, 2003... Civil projects often are designed and constructed on sites that are constrained by existing urban developments, heavily congested areas or where their locations are predetermined by other factors. In some cases, soil improvement of weak...

New type of drilling rig.(Reader Contributions)
November 1, 2003... Jack Cooper of Oxford, Kan., sent us information on the new type of drilling rig he's patented. "I've worked on rigs both large and small since 1947," Cooper remarks. "What this design accomplishes is to bring bigger-rig toughness and...

Can't keep a good rig down.(Reader Contributions)
November 1, 2003... George C. Vess of Lower Salem, Ohio, was kind enough to share these photos of his rig sitting on top of a 1942 4-wheel drive Chevy army truck. It's a 1949 Bucyrus Erie 20W--mounted on the army truck in 1964--and still in service, drilling...

Geotechnical investigations--part 3.
November 1, 2003... The scope of ground water studies is determined by the size and nature of the proposed project. Efforts can range from broad regional studies at a reservoir project to site-specific studies, such as pumping tests for relief well design, water...

Suddenly, a sinkhole.
November 1, 2003... It seemed like a normal drilling job for northern Florida. But this past July, a crew from Hall's Pump and Well Service Inc. of Lake City, Fla., was out at a job site next to the Suwannee River, installing an 8-inch production well for the...

Hardfacing of conventional and hollow-stem augers -- part 1.
November 1, 2003... Hardfacing is a process whereby a wear-resistant surface is deposited on a metal component to increase longevity. Wherever abrasion, impact, heat and/or corrosion are prevalent, a part's wear-resistant capabilities are increased by hardfacing,...

A bored well for a military family: when a rural Illinois military family's well ran dry, the drilling industry rose to the occasion.
November 1, 2003... Teri Waters didn't know where to turn. Two weeks after her husband's Navy reserve unit--the NMCB-26 Seabees located in Peoria, Ill. --had been deployed in March, the family's well ran dry. But, a couple months later, on a hot summer day on the...

Series of high pressure boosters.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... STA-RITE has added new 3 HP and new 30-gpm series pumps to its selection of boosters. The pumps feature STA-RITE's SignaSeal floating impeller design that helps minimize thrust loads. They provide continuous operation with no damage to motor...

Water quality sonde.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... In-Situ Inc. presents the Multi Parameter TROLL 9000E water quality sonde, specifically designed for long-term deployment applications. This sonde features a low-power management system with four D-sized alkaline batteries that can power the...

Heavy-Duty Well Seals.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... The Heavy Duty Well Seals from Simmons Manufacturing Co, are recommended for very deep settings where extra strength may be required. Featuring 3/4-inch molded rubber and zinc-plated steel bolts, these well seals are made out of a non-toxic,...

Intake screens.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... National Screen Corp's intake screens are designed for use in wells, reservoirs and rivers. They also can be used in landfills, fluid treatment systems and dewatering well applications. Available construction-types include PVC, CPVC, HDPE and...

Compact constant pressure system.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... 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. The control panel displays...

Skid-mounted well management.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... For ground water sampling, the AMS SK3500 well management system is a skid-mounted system that provides an automated, hydraulically driven, single boom with two spools--one for the hose and electric pump, the other spool fitted with support...

Multi-sectional PVC centralizer.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... Kickapoo Creek Companies presents a multi-sectional PVC centralizer for water well casing or screen. Assembly requires only a screwdriver, and the sectional will go onto the casing below a small rotary table. Available at this time to fit...

Versatile boring tool.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... Sandvik Coromant introduces CoroBore 820, a new addition to its boring tool program. CoroBore 820 is a solution for high productive boring, especially in roughing operations. The boring range on this tool is 35 mm to 260 mm, and three cutting...

Tactile pressure sensor film.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... Sensor Products Inc.'s Pressurex is a tactile pressure sensor film that has multiple industrial applications. Assessing compression magnitude and distribution between any two impacting surfaces, the sensor film reveals flange and gasket...

Continuous-flow grouter.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... The GeoLoop 40500 provides a continuous flow of grout, offering the ability to pump a continuously metered flow of polymercoated bentonite grouts at rates of 0 gallons to 40 gallons per minute at pressures up to 500 psi. The 60-gallon stainless...

Septic tank risers.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... Septic tank risers from Zoeller Co. are intended to allow easy access to tanks to monitor system performance and can be adapted to both new and existing installations. Available in 8- 24- and 30-inch diameters--the 8-inch is shown here--these...

Bentonite grout.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... EZ-SEAL grout, a ANSI/NSF Standard 60 certified product from Baroid Industrial Drilling Products, is a one-sack, granular sodium bentonite that has low permeability and does not produce heat during hydration. It may be used for annular seals of...

Mini excavators.(Product Info)
November 1, 2003... Five mini excavators have been added to the Ditch Witch line. Models range in size from 0.9 metric tons to 4.5 metric tons with digging capabilities ranging from 4 feet, 11 inches to 13, feet deep. Tight tall-swing design facilitates work in...

ADT gets it done in New York; environmental and geotechnical drilling contractor thrives in big apple.
November 1, 2003... New York City can be an intimidating place to some folks; everything's ratcheted up a notch. There's a lot more pressure because everything's bigger and faster-paced and if you don't have your stuff together, you'll be left behind to be...

GPDA scholarship winners.
November 1, 2003... One was senior class valedictorian. Another was a starter on a state championship football team. Still another helped renovate her community's town hall. Several are involved in their family's business. All are young, ambitious and already...

Move 'em out.(Marketing Strategies)
November 1, 2003... When I see the way some service and repair companies send out technicians to customers' homes, I am reminded of that old expression from western movies--"Move 'em out!". There's a lot more to dispatching technicians, however, than moving them...

Think marketing.(Portfolio)
November 1, 2003... Contractors usually don't spend as much time as they should thinking about their marketing efforts. While that is easy enough to understand, contractors still need to face the facts. Simply put, if you want to keep selling something, you have...

Legislative update.
November 1, 2003... Colorado River Legislation Former California Governor Gray Davis signed a package bill that will mark the end of regional water conflicts along the Colorado River. The so-called Quantification Settlement Agreement (QSA), which sets out...

Boost your service reputation.(Portfolio)
November 1, 2003... If you're looking to improve your firm's customer service reputation, you needn't perform miracles. Just be sure that you deliver the basics that customers rightfully expect and deserve. Researchers from Texas A&M and Duke Universities, in...

Coming events.(Calendar)
November 1, 2003... NOVEMBER 3-6 AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference San Diego Phone: 540-687-8390 www.awra.org 6-8 California Ground Water Association Annual Convention & Trade Show Lake Tahoe, Nev. Phone: 707-578-4408 ...

Negotiating with difficult people or situations.
November 1, 2003... Long hours, approaching deadlines, fraying tempers... sound familiar? In the fast-paced contracting industry, with its wide variety of personalities and business relationships, successful negotiations can sometimes be difficult to achieve....

GEFco N.E. delivers to Kevin Anderson Well Drilling.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Kevin Anderson Well Drilling, Marlton, N.J., receives its new CF-15 GEFco well drill. Pictured from left to right are Rocky Milano, GEFco Northeast regional manager, and Kevin and Ron Anderson. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Please send...

Bapst Inc. takes delivery of Schramm T450WS.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Bapst Inc. Well and Pump Service of Orient, Ohio, recently purchased a new Schramm T450WS Rotadrill. Accepting delivery are Paul Revalee and David Bapst. The rig is equipped with 900/350 air, centrifugal mud pump and 10-rod pipe carousel. ...

Allen Pump Service purchases Pulstar P7000.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Brad Allen of Allen Pump Service, located in Warsaw, Mo., recently purchased a Pulstar P7000 pump hoist through WebCo Enterprises of St. Louis, Mo. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Canfield Drilling chooses Flatwater Fleet.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Jeff Canfield, owner of Canfield Drilling, Ft. Morgan, Colo., and former president of the Colorado Water Well Association, recently bought his first RTT-Rig Supplier from Flatwater Fleet Inc. This 2,500-gallon unit included interior coating and...

A new SEMCO heads to Amarillo.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Raymond Lichtie and Harrison Granthan of Amarillo, Texas, pick up their new SEMCO S25,000 pump hoist. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

C & R Well Drilling receives rig from Northeast Drill Supply.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Northeast Drill Supply of Middletown Springs, Vt., delivers a new REICHdrill 690W to Rodney and Pat Pratt, C & R Well Drilling, Bowdoin, Maine. Shown left to right before the rig are Brett Bowley, Jerry Parker, Northeast Drill Supply; Rodney...

AquaDrill goes with Flatwater Fleet.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Jeff Joslyn, owner of AquaDrill, Coralville, Iowa, has purchased his first RBT-Rig Buddy from Flatwater Fleet Inc. The 500-gallon unit, mounted on a new '03 Ford F-550 SuperCab 4-by-4, includes an internally coated tank and a 230-gallon divided...

Square One buys from Higgins.(Trading Post)
November 1, 2003... Higgins Rig Co. sold this 1976 DSI Quikdrill to Randy Swartz of Square One Inc., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. This rig is equipped with 250/125 compressor, 5-by-6 Gardner Denver mud pump and is mounted on 1976 Ford F7000 w/3208 Cat diesel engine. Higgins...