30 years ago, Miller Well Drilling constructed a water well for this Robbinsville client. It served them well for many years, but it finally started to decline in production about 10 years ago until today, where it is unusable.
This is not unheard of, and it is why we always recommend our clients leave access to the well head wherever possible. Although most of the time, drilled wells in the Piedmont and Mountain regions where we drill are drawing from unique aquifers, sometimes they are interdependent with other systems and the various users can collectively overdraw the aquifer, causing irreversible damage. Also, we sometimes find an ancient completely confined subterranean lake that is eventually drained by the well. We have even had a couple wells which had crumbling walls collapse and cave in on themselves, and a couple others fill with mud or sediment.
the Rig in Robbinsville
None of these situations are ideal, but most can be remedied; but since this well was now inaccessible- 30 years of improvements and structures below and around the well head – we could not get our rig or a frack truck on the well to try to develop it back to a usable state. We decided with the client that it was not worth exploring the cause, and a new well would be best.
The new location was selected based upon convenience for connections and serviceability as well as the setback requirements set forth in the North Carolina Well Construction Act, and we expect it to provide many more years of trouble-free service when complete. We are advising the client to leave access to the well head open for any future development or pump work, just in case.
Rob's background in Environmental Horticulture and the green industry, as well as time working as a Legislative Aide and Private Property Rights Advocate at the Georgia General Assembly, informs his unique perspective on metro Atlanta water issues, as well as water and its management as a global issue.
I have a question on how to prevent water line freezing in a mountain cabin on a well. Just bought in August. Previous owner turned power off to well pump everytime he left the home for weeks at a time. Never had frozen pipes in 14 years. I thought I read not a good practice to cut power to the pump like that. Poor water quality due to growth in house lines? Bad for well life, lose prime? Can you help educate how best to handle winter on a well. Pvc water pipes in unheated crawl space. Hot lines insulated only. Vents blocked to prevent air intrusion. Propane forced air unit in crawl space to heat first floor. Uninsulated floor joists
Hi, Melissa- we have several articles on the subject here on our blog. Kick around a bit. Short answer: thermostatic heat tape and radiant barrier, and keep a drip going when its going to be too cold.
If you do shut down your system for an extended period, be sure to flush it at the well head before that water goes into your system.
Feel free to call us if you have any questions.
I have a question on how to prevent water line freezing in a mountain cabin on a well. Just bought in August. Previous owner turned power off to well pump everytime he left the home for weeks at a time. Never had frozen pipes in 14 years. I thought I read not a good practice to cut power to the pump like that. Poor water quality due to growth in house lines? Bad for well life, lose prime? Can you help educate how best to handle winter on a well. Pvc water pipes in unheated crawl space. Hot lines insulated only. Vents blocked to prevent air intrusion. Propane forced air unit in crawl space to heat first floor. Uninsulated floor joists
Hi, Melissa- we have several articles on the subject here on our blog. Kick around a bit. Short answer: thermostatic heat tape and radiant barrier, and keep a drip going when its going to be too cold.
If you do shut down your system for an extended period, be sure to flush it at the well head before that water goes into your system.
Feel free to call us if you have any questions.
Melissa, I just published a new article on the subject:
http://millerwelldrilling.com/project-of-the-week-111914-seal-up-your-wellhouse/
We would not recommend leaving water in any lines when you are not using the system.
Here’s more info: http://millerwelldrilling.com/winters-coming-brace-yourself/