Borehole at Lower Burnt Hilĺ.

[Wendyf]

Since we moved into Lower Burnt Hill 19 years ago the spring water supply that we share with the neighbours has never let us down but over the last couple of years we have noticed that the flow into the collection tank has slowed down, and with the dry weather we have been having since April it has reduced to a trickle. This, combined with uncertainty about redevelopment plans for the neighbouring property (which is back on the market) has made us decide to go for a borehole instead.
When we told our other neighbours at the farm that we were getting quotes they said that they had already arranged to have one drilled as they are also struggling with their spring water supply. It made sense to go for the same company and it all kicks off tomorrow when the drilling rig is due to arrive at the farm. They expect to be on site there for a week before coming to us.
We are both very apprehensive about it, as it means major disruption.
I'm concerned about the mess and what happens to all the stuff that is drilled out. Colin is worried about the quality of the water that we get. Our friends across the valley at Blearaside had to get an expensive filtration system to deal with iron in their water.

[Stanley]

Glad you've started this topic Wendy, apart from catering for our curiosity it will be picked up by the bots and I am sure you will be a great help to others in your situation.
As for the trepidation..... don't over-think it and cause worry for yourselves, any difficulties can be dealt with if and when they arise. That's how you have dealt with your life up to now and it has worked. It's an adventure and it will be exciting! I shall be following your posts with interest! (Far better than Wimbledon.....)

[Wendyf]

This is how it happens:
Commence drilling @ 350mm diameter for steel top casing.
Carry on drilling at 300mm through the top casing into the underlying sandstone formation.
Install 219mm o/d steel casing into the sandstone to seal.
Grout with cement/bentonite grout, leave for 24 hours to set.
Carry on drilling at 200mm through the casing to a depth of 60m max.
Flush to lift any remaining cuttings.
Install a 125mm diameter well casing and screen to fully line the borehole.
Install centralisers on casing & screen to allow correct installation of gravel pack and grout seal.
Install 200mm flange and top plate to secure hole top.
Test pump to clean out borehole to ascertain pumping systems.
Install pump to supply 2 cubic metres an hour with pressure vessel and pump control.

[PanBiker]

Comprehensive plan Wendy. Might be a daft question but did they do a ground survey before deciding exactly where to drill?

[plaques]

What is the estimated power usage for pumping the water? Obviously the bigger the lift and water volume the bigger the energy usage.

[Wendyf]

What is the estimated power usage for pumping the water? Obviously the bigger the lift and water volume the bigger the energy usage.

The pump which will lift 2cubic metres an hour is rated at 1kw and only works on demand. It's unlikely that it will run in excess of an hour a day, so possibly a unit a day. Col is pondering whether to add it to the circuit which will run on batteries if necessary.

[Wendyf]

Comprehensive plan Wendy. Might be a daft question but did they do a ground survey before deciding exactly where to drill?

They look at the underlying geology Ian and seem pretty confident that they will hit plenty of water down there.

[Big Kev]

Col is pondering whether to add it to the circuit which will run on batteries if necessary.

How long would your water last without power to the pump?

[Wendyf]

No pump, no water Kev. We do have two storage tanks that supply two hot water cylinders and there is a large cold water storage tank out in the barn.
Col has started on the wiring today and it will be added to the "emergency" battery system along with the central heating and the tv. We need to buy a bigger inverter though......or so I'm told.

[Big Kev]

No pump, no water Kev. We do have two storage tanks that supply two hot water cylinders and there is a large cold water storage tank out in the barn.
Col has started on the wiring today and it will be added to the "emergency" battery system along with the central heating and the tv. We need to buy a bigger inverter though......or so I'm told.

Good plan

[chinatyke]

Thanks, Wendy. Very interesting.





The answer to your back-up problems, approximately £40.

[Stanley]

But that will only lift a maximum of 25 feet even in good nick China.....
It all sounds good Wendy, a proper job!

[Wendyf]

The rig arrived next door at about 5.00pm yesterday.

[Stanley]

Tension mounts! One thing, you will get a good idea of what you can expect when their results come in. That will hopefully be reassuring, I hope so.

[Wendyf]

I was mistaken, it is the vehicle with the compressor on that arrived last night, no sign of the drilling rig yet. We got a clearer view on our morning walk round the fields.

[Stanley]

Any movement?

[Wendyf]

The drilling rig arrived next door late Friday afternoon and they are all set up. I think they probably broke through the concrete in the yard as it was operating for a short time. They must be starting in earnest tomorrow.

[Big Kev]

I trust we'll have pictures once they start on yours, Wendy?

[Wendyf]

That's the plan.

[Stanley]

[Big Kev]

That's the plan.

Excellent

[Wendyf]

It depends whether I run away or not.

[Stanley]

You won't run away Wendy, as soon as you see how interesting a job it is you'll be wanting to have a go yourself! Think of our ancestors sinking wells by hand.......

[Wendyf]

Drilling has begun next door, we can see the top of the drilling rig from our patio viewpoint. It is remarkably quiet, not much more than the sound of the compressor. It's hard to judge from this angle but it looks as if the drill goes down roughly 3 metres at a time and takes about 6 minutes.

[Wendyf]

The view from below. Drilling Rig at rest next door.