In additional to the professional water well construction techniques, Eaton Drilling Co., Inc. prides itself in completing projects that are constructed in accordance to the California Well Standards, any local water well ordinance, along with additional features desired by our clients. In additional to achieving the construction details for our clients future reference, well completion reports are forwarded to the appropriate governmental agencies, as well as providing as built drawing to our clients at the projects completion.

Depth

Eaton Drilling Co., Inc. has the experience and equipment to successfully complete water wells in a variety of geologic deposits. Our test hole drilling division regularly presents detailed drilling reports and formation samples to depths of 2,000 ft. The well completion arm of our organization has installed water wells of various configurations to 1,700 ft.

In the types of geologic formations that our wells are typically constructed in, the selection of the appropriate gravel pack material, gravel pack particle size distribution, and the method of gravel pack installation are key elements in a good well design.

The gravel pack is the material deposited in the annular space between the borehole and the casing and is typically referred to as a “gravel pack” or a “filter pack.” The gravel pack serves two main purposes:

1. To adjust the entrance velocity of the water as it travels into the well through the production interval
2. Suspend the sanitary surface seal

• Gravel envelope: 3/8” washed pea gravel (shale, gravels, cobbles, most areas)
• Graded Sand Pack: 3/8” washed pea gravel blended with #3 Monterey sand (clay, Valley areas)
• Sand envelope: #3 Monterey sand (sandy areas)
• Engineering or geology may require different types of filter pack
• Pack is inserted via free fall or tremie pipe

Test hole drilling involves logging of the borehole. This is accomplished by physical descriptions of the drill cuttings recovered as the hole is advanced, with special attention to color changes and monitoring penetration rates. Coupled with modern geophysical logging equipment and the large variety of surveys available our borehole logs give us the information we need to design the best water well for the conditions at your site.

In addition to identifying water bearing formations, providing reasonable expectations with regard to production rates general water quality information are products or our borehole logging procedures.

• Is intended to prevent contamination from entering groundwater along side casing.
• Seal requirements vary from area to area. The depth and material used in sanitary seals are generally monitored by the local permitting agency.
• Common sanitary seal materials are Benonite Chips, 10-sack sand slurry / neat cement
• Sanitary seal material is pumped from top of gravel pack to the surface via a temporary tremie pipe

• Casing sizes are determined by the diameter needed to accommodate a water well pump that will most efficiently produce the volume of water at a pressure desired
• Boreholes are general reamed 8 to 12 inches larger than the diameter of the casing
• Casing materials commonly are composed of various steel and P.V.C. materials
• Wells constructed in known areas of aggressive water may include casings made of special materials (ie. Stainless Steel) extended seals

• Gravel pack material is disinfected during the installation procedure
• Preliminary development removes clay material from gravel pack material after installation
• Bacteriological and Mineral lab analysis (upon request)
• Secure wellhead if needed

Click here to see a diagram of typical water well