How Well Development and Redevelopment Affects Long-Term Well Performance History

A common pattern for long-term well performance histories in glacial-fluvial aquifers is a years-long decline until operating the well becomes uneconomical. One factor that managers can control is well development. Many water wells are not completely developed in the first place, so wells are impaired from the start. Also, when wells are cleaned, the redevelopment is incomplete, so results are not as good as they could be. This talk will review long-term well performance patterns in Ohio Valley public water supply wellfields and circumstances that contribute to declining performance and lack of response to rehabilitation efforts. The reward is delay of expensive work and lower pumping energy cost.