Thursday, December 6, 2007 : 1:00 p.m.

Well Blockage and Rehabilitation

John H. Schnieders, Ph.D., Water Systems Engineering Inc.

Twenty years ago when the second edition of Groundwater and Wells was published a revolution was already under way in the field of microbiology. Dr Characklis had already published numerous papers and several books on biofilm in circulating water systems. It was only a matter of time for his work and the work of others was to be applied to water wells and the movement of water into and out of these wells. The study of biofilms in the well environment led to a better understanding of mineral incrustation in the well and the complex blockage that develops. Understanding the formation of biofilm and its placement in the well helps to diagnose not only the formation of mineral incrustation but also the various corrosion and water quality problems that can take place.

 The study of biofilm and the subsequent incrustations or blockage in water wells has led to more science based chemical rehabilitation programs. Once the need was established for chemistry other then oxidizing chemicals to attack the biomass, biodispersants were developed and environmentally friendly surfactants were utilized to improve acid penetration. Knowledge of the bacterial communities within the well has improved mechanical application of rehabilitation chemistry and moved water well chlorination from a hit or miss process to a highly developed tool for the proper disinfection of our potable water well systems.

John H. Schnieders, Ph.D., Water Systems Engineering Inc. John Schnieders is a Certified Professional Chemist and the Principal Chemist/Microbiologist of Water Systems Engineering, Inc., an investigative and research laboratory. He majored in Microbiology and Chemistry and holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering. He has over thirty-five years experience in the study of microbial and chemical corrosion and since 1984 he has specialized in well cleaning and disinfection with emphasis on rehabilitation chemistry and biofilm formation. He wrote Chemical Cleaning, Disinfection, and Decontamination of Water Wells in 2003. A Fellow of the American Institute of Chemist, he was the 2002 McEllhiney Lecturer for the National Ground Water Association.


2007 NGWA Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting