Well on hole #2

The beginning of the week saw our irrigation lake levels get so low that the intake pump that feeds the pumps for the irrigation system sucked in air and floated to the top of the lake.

This is not something you want to see during a drought. By pumping water back into the wet well of our irrigation pumps the intake pipe lowered. We were still without sufficient levels of water in the irrigation pond to irrigate.

After two extensive days meeting with well drillers, electricians and a geologist a decision was made to pull the motor and pump from the well that sits to the left of #2 fairway. The challenge with determining why a well is not producing water is that they are about 500 feet deep and 8 inches wide. The pumps and motors sit about 400 feet below the surface and are connected to a 3 inch galvanized steel discharge tube. Therefore special equipment is needed to be brought in for the job.

Once the motor, pump and discharge pipe was pulled it was easy to see the problem.

Due to the high iron and magnesium levels in our ground water the galvanized steel tube just above the pump had corroded causing a hole to form. Since this hole is located 390 feet below surface level the water did not have an opportunity to maintain enough pressure to make it out of the well.

Once the pipe was replaced everything was lowered back and we now have water coming from this well.

While re-installing the motor, pump and discharge pipe a smaller 1 inch drop tube was connected with it so we may lower certain instruments into the well and measure things such as water level. This way, if we are not getting enough water from this well we can make a better determination of what the problem could be. This experience has made me realize just how difficult it is to troubleshoot when the problem is hundreds of feet below the surface.