Maine Well Installation

7234624Most wells in Maine use the rotary drilling method for a well installation, a drill bit is attached to a length of connected drill pipe. The drill bit is made of tough metals such as tungsten, and as the drill is rotated, the bit acts to grind up the rock. The broken pieces (cuttings) are flushed upward and out of the hole by circulating a drilling fluid (sometimes called drilling mud) down through the drill pipe and back to the surface. This drilling fluid also serves to cool and lubricate the drill bit, and by stabilizing the wall of the hole, it can prevent possible cave-in of unstable sands or crumbly rock before the well casing or well screen is installed. As the drill intersects water-bearing rock formations water will flow into the hole. We carefully monitor the depth of water “strikes” and keep a note of the formations in which they occur. In areas of hard rocks we use a well installation drilling technique that uses compressed air to operate a down-hole air hammer on the end of the drill string that helps to break up the hard rocks. The compressed air also blows the crushed rock fragments out of the hole to the surface along with any water that flows in the well during drilling. In low yielding wells it is sometimes possible to increase yield by using “Hydrofracking” techniques. In this process, selected parts of the drilled hole are subjected to great pressure using special tools lowered from the surface. The expected result is that small existing fractures will be enlarged or opened up to allow the well to connect to additional water bearing fractures or fissures. No matter which method of drilling is used, the top part of the well is usually lined with steel or plastic well casing. The diameter of the drilled hole is usually an inch or two wider than the diameter of the casing. The space between the drilled hole and the casing (the annulus) has to be filled to prevent the chance of polluted surface water from migrating downward along the outside of the casing where it might contaminate the aquifer. Sometimes most of the space is filled with the fine rock pieces from drilling and then the top 20 feet is grouted. A modern water well installation is much more than a hole in the ground.

A-Z Water Systems Recommended Flow Rates

Flow Rates: 100 ft = 6 gal/min, 140 ft = 5 gal/min, 180 ft = 4gal/min, 240 ft = 3 gal/min, 320 ft = 2 gal/min, 420 ft = 1 gal/min

A-Z Water uses higher flow rates then normal state standards

9 reasons why to use A-Z Water Systems

With A-Z Water Systems, you get much more than just a company that drills water wells and installs well pumps.

Benefits

  1. On-Time Scheduling
  2. Increased Flow rates above state standards
  3. Proper sizing of water pumps & water tanks (This ensures your water needs are met)
  4. Water Testing (With A-Z Water the job does not end with the water pump. We fully chlorinate the well and pump and then take a water sample and send it to the lab for analysis. We then provide a copy for you with any recommendations and pricing on any filtration that might be needed if necessary).
  5. Upgradable systems (A-Z Water offers constant pressure systems for those customers who would like additional water pressure without the fluctuation that accompanies a traditional system).
  6. Ability to handle and knowledge of water requirements for FHA regulations
  7. Ability to handle and knowledge of water requirements and pumping systems for houses that require fire sprinkler systems without having to install space consuming holding tanks in the basement.
  8. Use of materials above industry standards
  9. Varmint Proof Well caps (Prevents insects or any other critters from getting into the well installation). The industry standard is just a regular cap.

At A-Z Water we are a full-service water company that takes pride in being able to service a job from the beginning to the very end. We install wells in Southern and Central Maine.

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Recent Projects

PROBLEM: Coliform Bacteria Treatment
SOLUTION: Customer had coliform bacteria in the well that could not be treated with a chlorine treatment. Installed a UV light system along with a 5-micron 4×10 sediment filter to kill all e-coli and coliform bacteria.
LOCATION: Gray, ME

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, WE’LL SOLVE IT.

PROBLEM: Customer contacted us with bluish-green staining and developing pin holes in their piping.
SOLUTION: Upon conducting a water test, determined PH level to be low, causing the issues. Installed a PH neutralizer to raise the level.
LOCATION: Windham, ME

Water storage tanks

PROBLEM: Customer contacted us concerning arsenic and minerals in the water.
SOLUTION: Added a 4×10 sediment filter along with a water softener to treat the minerals and followed it with a complete house arsenic removal system.
LOCATION: Windham, ME

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING

If you need work done on your well or pump, this is the company for you. Carl called me back right away, came to my home quickly, did a great job and explained everything he was doing. The price for all the work he did was very fair, and he just seems like a really decent guy. Highly recommend.
Jamie Andrews, Cumberland, Me.
I had called Carl at A-Z water system after my ‘regular plumber” was unable to assist me with my plumbing issue. Carl was great, he promptly returned my phone call and was at my home within an hour. My plumbing issue was resolved in no time and the cost was reasonable in comparison to other estimates I had received. Carl appeared very knowledgeable of his trade and his professionalism was superb! I am confident in saying I will be calling A-Z water system for any future water/plumbing related problems. Thanks again A-Z water system.
Anonymous
When my water stopped working I figured I’d need a new pump for the well. Carl drove over an hour to my house to check it out and figured out it was some wires in the well that needed fixing and the pump was fine. He could have easily charged me for a new pump and I would have never known the difference. Instead he was honest, fixed the problem, and charged me for a service call. I will definitely be calling him again if there’s a next time. Thanks A-Z!
K. CARR, ANDOVER, MAINE
I had called a-z because my water heater sounded louder than normal. Thinking that I may need a new tank I was a little nervous. Carl came the very next day and come to find out that all it needed was some air in the tank. He explained everything he was doing, and why which I thought to be very useful and showed how knowledgeable he was as well as his passion for his work. He put some air in my tank with his compressor, and the tank was running great! I will call him if I had any future issues because he was honest, reliable, prompt and knew his stuff. Thanks a-z!!
Anonymous
We needed a new well at our summer cottage in Casco to replace an old dug well. We called A-Z Water Systems. Carl was very conscientious about every aspect of the job. Carl’s professionalism and knowledge can’t be beat. We are completely satisfied and would recommend this company to anyone.
Paul and Kathy Mozzochi

WATER CONCERNS

GERMS LIMIT CAN CAUSE
Coliform bacteria 0 Diarrhea and vomiting
Nitrate Nitrogene 10 mg/l or less Infant Blood Problems
Nitrite Nitrogene 1 mg/or less Infant Blood Problems
CHEMICALS LIMIT CAN CAUSE
Arsenic 10 ug/l or less Cancer/ Low birth weight
Radon 4000 pCi/l or less Cancer
Uranium 20 ug/or less Kidney Problems
MINERALS LIMIT CAN CAUSE
Iron .30 mg/l See more here
Maganese .05 mg/l See more here
Hardness 75 mg/l See more here
PH Levels 6.5 – 7.5 See more here
Copper 1.3 mg/l See more here
Sodium 100 mg/l See more here
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IRON & MANGANESE

Iron and manganese are minerals found in drinking water supplies. These minerals will not harm you, but they may cause reddish-brown or black stains on clothes or household fixtures. Under guidelines for public water supplies set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), iron and manganese are considered secondary contaminants. Secondary standards apply to substances in water that cause offensive taste, odor, color, corrosion, foaming, or staining but have no direct affect on health. The standard Secondary Maximum Contaminant Level (SMCL) for iron is 0.3 milligrams per liter (mg/L or ppm) and 0.05 mg/L for manganese. Private water supplies are not subject to federal standards, but these standards can be used as guidelines to evaluate the quality of water from wells or springs. The four forms of iron and manganese commonly found in drinking water are ferrous, ferric, organic and iron bacteria. Normally, water appears clear when first drawn from the cold water faucet. If yours is not, it may contain ferric iron or organic iron. Both color the water. Ferric iron precipitates or settles out. Organic iron does not settle out. In well water, insoluble iron oxide is converted to a soluble form of ferrous (dissolved) iron. Ferrous iron is colorless, but when in contact with air, it oxidizes readily, creating reddish- brown, solid particles that then settle out as ferric oxide. Manganese is similar to iron but forms a brownish-black precipitate and stains. Manganese is less commonly found in groundwater than iron, rarely found alone in a water source, and generally found with dissolved iron.

Health Considerations

The presence of iron and manganese in water is not considered a health problem. In fact, small concentrations are essential to human health. However, high concentrations of iron may give the water an unpleasant metallic taste while still being safe to drink. When iron combines with tea, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, it produces an unappetizing inky, black appearance and a harsh, offensive taste.

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HARDNESS

Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task from laundering and dish washing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Water flow may be reduced by deposits in pipes.

Dealing with hard water problems in the home can be a nuisance. The amount of hardness minerals in water affects the amount of soap and detergent necessary for cleaning. Soap used in hard water combines with the minerals to form a sticky soap curd. Some synthetic detergents are less effective in hard water because the active ingredient is partially inactivated by hardness, even though it stays dissolved. Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin. The film may prevent removal of soil and bacteria. Soap curd interferes with the return of skin to its normal, slightly acid condition, and may lead to irritation. Soap curd on hair may make it dull, lifeless and difficult to manage.

When doing laundry in hard water, soap curds lodge in fabric during washing to make fabric stiff and rough. Incomplete soil removal from laundry causes graying of white fabric and the loss of brightness in colors. A sour odor can develop in clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water can shorten the life of clothes. In addition, soap curds can deposit on dishes, bathtubs and showers, and all water fixtures.

Hard water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances. Heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that can contribute to the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. Pipes can become clogged with scales that reduces water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement.

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PH LEVELS

For piping systems fed by water from a private well, one of the most common causes of corrosion is low pH. A low pH is water with a pH of less than 7.0 pH. Signs of acidic water are corrosion of fixtures, pinhole leaks, blue staining (from copper pipes) or rust staining (from iron pipes).

Common causes for acidic water are acid rainfall due to atmospheric carbon dioxide and other airborne pollutants, runoff from mining spoils, and decomposition of plant materials. Acidic waters can be high quality and are typically low in buffering calcium minerals, but are high in dissolved carbon-dioxide gas, which can cause the low pH or acidity.

Treatment is accomplished by neutralizing the water with the use of an automatic calcite neutralizer. These water filter tanks are filled with a blend of calcium and magnesium carbonates made from naturally occurring minerals, which dissolve into the water, making it less corrosive. Calcite is a white granular mineral that adds calcium to the water raising the pH and increasing the alkalinity. Periodically, (once or twice a year for a typical residential application) more mineral is added to the filter tank.

In some cases, instead of dissolved carbon dioxide causing the low pH or acidity, the acidity is caused by mineral acids, either natural or from mining or other industrial wastes. Often the pH is very low, less than 5.0. Treating this type of water requires injection of soda ash or sodium hydroxide with a metering pump, and generally, the neutralizing type mineral filters described above will not work well on this type of water.

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