EP 1110-1-27
27 Jan 00
Chapter 2
Suggested Minimum Baseline Data for Each Well
2-1. Causes of Well Problems
a. Cause summary. HTRW well-system problems have a number of identified causes (Driscoll
1986; Borch, Smith, and Noble 1993; Smith 1995; Alford and Cullimore 1999) that often work together
to produce conditions encountered on the well site. Table 2-1 summarizes problems with wells.
until well performance is severely impaired, unless the results of system water and quality and
performance monitoring are compared over time to establish trends. Such problems can be prevented and
mitigated by effective O&M, but to do so requires valid information on the environment, hydrology, and
material performance of the well system produced by information collection in the process known as
"maintenance monitoring."
c. Purpose of maintenance monitoring. Maintenance monitoring is one aspect of well problem
prevention, and includes maintenance and rehabilitation that is employed to provide early detection of
deterioration of wells. The ideal situation is to detect deteriorating effects in time to prevent problems or
allow the easiest possible treatment. Table 2-2 summarizes useful well information to collect for
troubleshooting and predicting problems.
d. Minimum analysis goals. At a minimum, a preventive maintenance (PM) monitoring program
should provide regular analyses to determine:
Whether a deteriorating condition may be occurring.
The reasons for changes in well and pump performance and water quality as soon as the
changes can be detected.
e. PM monitoring information use. In order for O&M to make use of such information over time:
A maintenance system must have organized and accessible records.
Information collection should begin with the project design phase and continue throughout
the working life of the extraction and injection system.
Records must be regularly reviewed by qualified personnel.
f. Adjusting maintenance monitoring protocols. In general maintenance monitoring approaches
should be tried and reviewed over a period of time and adjusted based on experience. They must be
implemented as part of a systematic maintenance program involving:
Institutional commitment.
A goal of deterioration prevention.
Systematic monitoring as part of site maintenance procedures.
A method evaluation of information to determine what maintenance actions are necessary.
In any case, it has to be recognized that monitoring approaches and responses will be site specific, and
likely will require adjustment during implementation.
2-1
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