At Austin Drilling & Well Repair, we aim to inform and educate our valued customers and individuals alike. As a reliable and experienced well drilling contractor, our team is dedicated to ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the terminology and processes involved in repairing and drilling wells.
We understand that the world of well drilling can be complex and overwhelming, which is why we believe that it’s important to provide you with easy-to-understand definitions and explanations.
From technical terms such as borehole drilling to more practical knowledge about well maintenance, our mission is to equip you with the knowledge and confidence vital to make informed decisions about your well drilling and repair needs.
Feel free to dive in and discover more about the world of well drilling!
- Aquifer: A geologic formation, often underground, that contains water and can be tapped into for well water supply.
- Borehole: A narrow, deep hole drilled into the ground, often used for well construction or exploration.
- Brackish Water: Water that is salty or has a higher salinity level than freshwater but is less salty than seawater.
- Casing: The steel or plastic lining is inserted into a drilled well to prevent the borehole’s collapse and water contamination.
- Cathodic Protection: A technique used to prevent corrosion of metal well components, such as casing and pipes.
- Confined Aquifer: An aquifer sandwiched between impermeable rock or sediment layers, under pressure, and not directly connected to the surface.
- Dewatering: The process of removing water from the ground or a construction site, often using wells or pumps.
- Drilling Mud: A mixture of water, clay, and other additives used to cool the bit and remove cuttings during the drilling process.
- Environmental Monitoring Well: A well installed to collect samples and monitor groundwater quality in areas potentially affected by contamination.
- Fracture Grouting: The injection of grout or sealant into fractures or voids in the well or surrounding rock to prevent water infiltration.
- Flow Rate: The rate at which water flows from a well, typically measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per second (LPS).
- Freshwater Aquifer: An underground layer of water that contains low levels of dissolved salts and is suitable for drinking and irrigation.
- Groundwater: Water beneath the Earth’s surface is often stored in aquifers and accessed through wells.
- Grout: A mixture of cement, sand, and water seals and stabilizes the annular space between the well casing and borehole.
- Hydrogeology: The scientific study of groundwater, including its movement, distribution, and interaction with geological formations.
- Hydrostatic Pressure: The pressure exerted by a column of groundwater, often related to the water table’s depth.
- Injection Well: A well used to inject fluids, such as wastewater or chemicals, into the ground.
- Irrigation Well: A well specifically drilled to provide water for agricultural irrigation.
- Jetting: A method of well drilling that uses high-pressure water to cut through soil and rock formations.
- Jacking Pump: A pump used for dewatering, typically employed to lower the water table in excavation areas.
- Karst Aquifer: A type of aquifer formed in soluble rock, such as limestone, characterized by underground cavities and conduits.
- Kilowatt (kW): A power unit used to measure the rate at which water pumps, typically for well pump capacity.
- Lithology: The study of rock and sediment types encountered during drilling helps determine a well’s geologic characteristics.
- Low-Yield Well: A well that produces water at a rate lower than the typical needs of the intended purpose, often requiring special management.
- Monitoring Well: A well designed for collecting groundwater samples and tracking changes in water levels.
- Municipal Water Supply: A well system that provides water for public use, such as drinking, sanitation, and firefighting.
- Nitrates: Chemical compounds found in groundwater that can contaminate wells and pose health risks in high concentrations.
- Overburden: The soil, rock, and sediment layers that lie above the bedrock or target aquifer must be drilled through to reach the water source.
- Packer Test: A test that measures the hydraulic properties of the well and surrounding aquifer by isolating specific sections with packers.
- Permeability: The ability of a rock or sediment to transmit water, often measured in terms of hydraulic conductivity.
- Potable Water: Water safe for human consumption and meets regulatory drinking water standards.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Procedures and practices to ensure the accuracy and reliability of well drilling and groundwater testing.
- Recharge Zone: An area where surface water infiltrates an aquifer, replenishing groundwater supplies.
- Reservoir: An artificial or natural storage area for collecting and storing water, often used with well systems.
- Screen: A perforated or slotted pipe section in a well casing that allows water to enter the well while preventing sediment and debris from clogging the pump.
- Stress Corrosion Cracking: The degradation of metal components in wells due to the combined effects of stress and corrosion.
- Transmissivity: A measure of how easily water flows through an aquifer, determined by the hydraulic conductivity and thickness.
- Underground Storage Tank (UST): A tank storing hazardous substances below the ground requires monitoring and compliance with regulations.
- Vapor Recovery Wells: Wells designed to capture and treat vapors and gasses from underground storage tanks or contaminated groundwater.
- Water Table: The level at which the ground is saturated with water, representing the upper surface of the groundwater reservoir.
- Well Development: Procedures to enhance water flow into the well by removing fine sediments and increasing permeability.
- X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): A technique used to analyze the elemental composition of well materials or groundwater samples.
- Yield Test: A test to determine the rate at which a well can deliver water under specific conditions provides valuable information for well design and usage.
- Zone of Influence: The area surrounding a well where pumping or groundwater extraction affects water levels and flow patterns.
This dictionary defines a wide range of terms related to well drilling and groundwater services offered by Austin Drilling. It helps clients and stakeholders better understand the industry and its terminology.
