Borehole drilling case study

Borehole Drilling

Testimonial from customer - Hamilton Smith Forgie

When our standby private water supply ceased flowing it was time to consider the use of a Borehole.

Trawling the net offered the choice of several companies willing to provide the service, however we chose to go with ‘Filpumps’ in Inverurie as eight years before when we working on our primary private water supply, they had proved patient and supportive to our then project.

Spoke to Filpumps enquiring “What’s involved in getting a water supply from a Borehole?” There followed a brief but detailed overview of necessary subsequent actions. Next we received an acceptable quote and battle commenced.

A couple of days later Alan (project leader) arrived with Andrew (water divining expert) to conduct an on-site survey and locate a water source. Like most people I lacked faith in the concept of water divining (how wrong I was!) Andrew trudged through our back garden, occasionally stopping to assess the situation and then continue in the most determined fashion, until finally he ground to a halt stating “Here is water!” Alan promptly hammered in a marking stake so that ‘X’ marked the spot. Andrew noting the expression on my face offered me the two rods to try; amazingly as I trudged around our back garden the rods took on a life of their own and slavishly continued to point towards Andrew’s marker stake (definitely spooky). On standing directly over the wooden stake both rods then dropped and pointed directly at the stake (even more spooky). We had water but at what depth, volume and quality had yet to be determined. The only way to find out was to drill.

Several days later Alan rang me and confirmed that their current project had been completed earlier than expected and could they start drilling our Borehole tomorrow. I promptly agreed. Early next morning Russell (Filpumps director and drilling machine controller) plus Mike (driller of vast experience) centred their very hi-tech drilling machine on to the exact spot marked by Andrew and Alan’s marking stake and promptly commenced drilling.

Thainstone Business Park, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 5GT Tel 01467 623010 Fax 01467 623011 info@filpumps.co.uk www.filpumps.co.uk

Andrew had already verified that there were four separate water bearing fissures pouring into our ‘X’ marks the spot position at differing depths. Sure enough at 29 meters the drill bit found our first water (albeit just a trickle but equivalent to our current primary water supply). At 38 meters they found their second source of water with a satisfyingly vast increase volume than that found so far and finally at 43 meters they penetrated the third fissure, which thanks to its even more increased volume surged up the Borehole, past drill pipe and clarted a very animated Russell and Mike from head to foot (plus drilling machine) in a second skin of waves of surging muddy water. Mike, looking at a very busy Russell, who was totally unconcerned by the unconventional shower enveloping him said proudly to me “He is one of our directors” ....... no accolade was ever better deserved. Within minutes the mud from the run-off water dissipated to be replaced by volumes of crystal clear liquid. Success after only five hours drilling!

Resisting the temptation to hug mud coated Russell and Mike when they suggested that based on the water we already have, we really don’t need to drill further, (thus saving me time and money). Naturally I readily fell in with their suggestion.

The following week Willie arrived to conduct the Borehole water yield test (1445 gallons per hour - not that we will ever use anything near that) and water quality test (verified by an independent laboratory analysis) which proved excellent with a little help from Ph and UV filters.

Alan provided me with an acceptable quote for the fitting of the permanent Borehole pump, wellhead completion, trenching for pipe and electrical cable ground works and installation of controller and water treatment filters etc.

Soon afterwards got a call from Peter who was tasked with digging the trenches and laying the water supply and return pipes which was completed with the minimum of fuss or disruption (on a Sunday).

Next day Peter was joined by Willie, who whilst Peter was back-filling the trenches with his usual consummate machine skills (which would turn a Concorde aircraft pilot green with envy), set about translating Alan’s excellent design for the Borehole pump control mechanisms into a functional work of art. Willie conducted the final system commissioning tests (throughout this period he had being battling with an pretty intense chest infection but he wouldn’t let it divert him from his objective to get the job done - right) Actually the same applied to Peter, who was also suffering. Needless to say Filpumps completed the (very professional) project perfectly to our satisfaction and on time.

Whilst the above was happening, a couple of miles away in another field, my son had noticed another company (certainly not Filpumps) were boring their third Borehole with what results I know not! Guess it is expedient to get the right project team for this job.

Thainstone Business Park, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire AB51 5GT Tel 01467 623010 Fax 01467 623011 info@filpumps.co.uk www.filpumps.co.uk