Welcome Domestic Well Owners Workshop Sponsored by The Nevada Water Resources Association Spring 2011

What is the NWRA? State wide association of water professionals with the object and purpose of providing education, training and networking opportunities for those interested in understanding, developing, conserving and protecting Nevada’s water resources.

Why are we doing this? We recognize that some domestic well owners would like to have a better understanding of general groundwater concepts, well operation and maintenance. Many are unaware of the responsibility to protect their water supply and infrastructure. We wish to give a basic workshop to fulfill one of our own association’s objective of relaying education to other water users outside of the association.

DISCLAIMER This workshop is solely intended to bring awareness to domestic well owners of their water supply infrastructure. The Nevada Water Resources Association does not intend this workshop to reflect consultations or “how to”, but rather relate good standard practices for water wells.

Workshop outline Terminology and Concepts Basic well construction Water system infrastructure Water Quality Well operation and maintenance Domestic water law Questions and Answers

Hydrologic Cycle

Useful Terms Groundwater: water below the surface of the land that is in the saturated zone. Aquifer: A geologic formation that yields enough water for beneficial use. Well bore: The hole drilled into the earth that allows installation of the well casing. Well Casing: The pipe inserted into the well bore, usually 6- to 8- inches in diameter. Gravel Pack: A gravel-filled space between the borehole wall and the well casing that filters sediment and stabilizes the hole.

Useful Terms (continued) Well Screen: A perforated section of the casing that allows water to enter from the aquifer. Static Water Level: The groundwater level in the well when the pump is off. Pumping Level: The water level in the well when the pump is on. Drawdown: The difference between the static level and the pumping level. Pump Setting: The depth of the pump in the well.

Useful Terms (continued) GPM: gallons per minute used to measure the rate at which the pump produces water. Recovery Rate: The amount of time it takes for the water level to return to the static level after pumping stops. Stilling Well (or tube): A pvc pipe that is placed along side the pump and used to allow for water level measurements

Well construction Bore hole Well casing Well perforations Gravel pack Static water level Sanitary seal

Well Drillers Report Owner and Location Type of well work Lithologic log Construction and materials Water level data Well test data

Pump Components Pump and motor assembly Pump column Power cable Pump intake Pump bowls

Concept of drawdown

Well Interference Effects

Domestic Well Construction Factors Well screen = 20 ft Pump section = 10ft Drawdown = >10ft Drought = 10 ft Well interference = 10 ft Safety factor = 20 ft Total = 80 feet of water or more!

Water System Infrastructure

Common Well Problems Low water level (too shallow of a well) Shallow pump setting Decrease in pumping rate Pump and/or motor failure Water logged or low pressure in pressure tank Sand Encrusted well perforations (poor yield) Iron bacteria infestation Common bacteria infestation

Well Encrustations

Common Water Quality Problems (Get your water tested) Arsenic Iron and Manganese Sand Hydrogen sulfide Nitrates Lead Uranium

Nevada Bureau of Safe Drinking Water

Well Maintenance and Operation Record Keeping (Know your well!) Performance testing –Pumping levels –Pumping rates –Amperage draw Well Cleaning Pressure Tank Maintenance Water Quality Filters Well Chlorination

Water well Measurements Sounding tube Meters Steel Tapes

Domestic Water Law Nevada Water Law is Appropriative Law Domestic Well Owners have “Protectable Interest” under Nevada Water Law (NRS ) Allowed to pump 2 acre-feet per year for domestic purposes (NRS ) Allows for a reasonable lowering of the water table by new users but applicants must notice other users within 2,500 feet. (NRS ) Domestic well priority is the date of the well construction. (NRS )

Nevada Division of Water Resources Jason King, State Engineer South Stewart St. Ste Carson City, Nv

Nevada Division of Water Resources Field Offices Southern Nevada: Elko: Winnemucca:

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS