From the Desk of Charles Carner

• SUCCESSFUL WELL REHAB COLLABORATION

  HOPKINS GROUNDWATER, GENERAL PUMP AND WELLJET® TEAM UP ON A WELL REHAB FOR VENTURA WATER

  The Mission San Buenaventura was founded by Franciscan friar Junipero Serra in 1782, near a Chumash village dating back to the turn of the prior millennium.  Over the centuries, the city has grown to a population of 110,000.  Ventura’s homes, businesses, government and agriculture rely on 100% local water sources, including surface and groundwater from Lake Casitas, Ventura River, three groundwater basins, and recycled water.  It is particularly important that water production is safe, reliable, cost-effective and efficient.

  

  The Ventura Golf Course Well #5, which taps into the Oxnard Plain groundwater basin/ Fox Canyon aquifer, was drilled in 1988.  Its total depth is 873’.  The carbon steel blank is 18” diameter from 0-200’, with a reducer to 14” OD.  The stainless-steel well screen is Roscoe Moss Ful-Flo Louvers, 403’-853’.

  Static Water Level in the well was 36.8’ in 2000.  By 2018, Static Water Level had dropped to 111.3’. 

  Prior to rehabilitation, output had declined to 785 gpm in 2018.  Specific Capacity had also dropped, to 38.1.  The well was taken offline in 2019.

  Downhole video performed by Pacific Surveys showed heavy plugging and bio-growth throughout the perforated zone of the well.

  Hopkins Groundwater Consultants designed a comprehensive well rehabilitation program to restore performance and efficiency.

  

  WellJet® inventor Jeffrey B. Glass tests WellJet® tool on site.

  General Pump designed, built and applied a spiral tight wire brush tool with airlifting capabilities specifically for this project.  HydroPressure Cleaning, Inc. performed high-pressure hydrojetting, using the patented WellJet® process (US Patent #8,312,930), to open badly plugged perforations and generate maximum energy out into the gravel pack and near-wellbore formation to help restore water flow.  General Pump then followed WellJet® with a custom dual-swab and airlift tool, to effectively further pull dislodged material from the gravel pack and out of the well, and chemical treatment to help sustain the gains.

  General Pump designed and built an oil-lubricated pump assembly to maximize the City of Ventura’s motor capacity and optimize their efficiency needs.

  Results were impressive:

  

  Before (left) and After (right)

  The stainless-steel casing looks practically brand-new.

  But, as the proof of the pudding is in the tasting, the value of well rehabilitation is in performance, not cosmetics. 

  Well #5 is now producing 1,515 gpm – almost double its pre-rehabilitation output of 785 gpm.  Specific Capacity, 38.1 prior to rehabilitation, is now up to 48.9 – an improvement of 28%.

  WellJet® is pleased to have been part of this successful project, and looks forward to future collaborations with Hopkins Groundwater and General Pump.

  WellJet® (Reg. No. 4,064,016) is a registered trademark of HydroPressure Cleaning, Inc. and is patented in the United States (US Pat. No. 8,312,930 B1).