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HYDROFRACTURING
Hydrofracturing was originally an oil field technology that was successfully integrated into the water well industry; pioneered in large part by Eastern Water Development.
Once the site has been inspected and deemed accessible by the required equipment, a permit is produced and applied for by E.W.D. to the local building and health departments.
HOW HYDROFRACTURING WORKS
The pump and
related materials such as piping and wire are removed from the well. A hoist
truck sets up over the well and lowers a packer into the well. A packer is a
steel, plug-like device, fitted with a hard, tight fitting rubber sleeve. Once
the packer has been lowered to a specific depth in the well, the rubber sleeve
is inflated and the packer is now firmly set in the well.
Water from another vehicle is pumped through the center of
the packer, filling the well below the "plug". This water is brought to a
pressure of up to 3000 psi, forcing itself against the walls of the well; cracking
weakened rock and cleaning out existing fissures.
The pressure is maintained until a drop in the pressure
occurs; indicating a "break through". The opening of old veins and the creation
of new ones, allows an increase in the volume of water from the adjacent
formation to enter the well.
After hydrofracturing, the pump is reinstalled and the system is chlorinated to insure elimination of any bacteria that has entered the system during the operation. Generally after hydrofracturing, the water will remain murky and will take a few days to clear.
After a few days of allowing the well to resume its
normal activity, a follow-up yield test is taken to determine the new yield.
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