Guidelines for Construction of Dug Well

A. Dug Well Survey

Survey and collection of records (number, location, present situation) of any existing DW in the area
should be made

Causes of unused DW should be made

Attempts should be made to renovate existing DW if possible

In case of non-availability of any such records, a test borehole should be made to make a bore log at the
site.

B. Site Selection

Site is selected considering factors –

Areas of peaty soil should be avoided for DW as these cause the water to have an unpleasant taste and
smell.

There should be a stable soil layer at the top (a clay layer is preferable)

Presence of sandy layer within 9 to 12 m (30-40') from ground level

The site must be at least 30' away from any existing latrine

The site must be at least 30' away from pond

The site must be at least 30' away from a river

C. Dug Well Configuration

Inner diameter is 88.2 cm (3') and outer is 1.17 m (4')

Depth of DW varies with the soil condition and water availability of the site. Depth should be such to
ensure 1 to 1.5 m (3' - 6') water column at the driest period

Height of concrete ring is 29.4 cm (1')

Height of head wall is 1 m (3.5') above ground level

About 59 cm (2') apron is provided all around the well

1.17 m (4') x 75 cm (2.5') platform is provided for TW installation beside apron

Length of drain pipe attached with TW platform varies from 1.5 m to 3 m (5' -10')

DW should be covered to protect it from outside contamination ensuring proper ventilation and sunlight.
The cover is made following WHO guidelines. Or a 0.4m (1’4") wire mesh should be placed on the head
wall, for ventilation and a roof on the top with translucent sheet to facilitate illumination and sunlight.

D. Manpower

Trained workers (mistris) are used for construction

6 workers (mistirs) should be employed for construction work- 1 head mistri, 2 assistant mistris and 3
local persons to help the mistris so that they become trained after construction of a few DW.

E. Construction

DW should be dug manually

DW should not be constructed a pre-specified depth, s required depth will depend on the soil and water
table conditions. Instead it is better to construct dug well in the dry season, with the objective of
achieving about two meters of water in the DW upon completion. This procedure will ensure a sufficient
depth of water to remain serviceable year-round.

Concrete rings are inserted after completion of digging

Where the sub-soil formation is not stable enough, the method of caisson driving (widely used in bridge
construction), may be used

Where self-sinking method is used, the first ring of the DW should be robustly fabricated with a cutting
edge

To prevent sand boiling rings should be jointed together using cement mortar inside and outside of rings
and joint-less flexible PVC, floating pipe can be connected with TW. Iron rings, connected with concrete
rings, can be used to hold this flexible pipe

To prevent accidents, during construction of DW, due to collapsing of side-soil and occasionally
asphyxiation from carbon dioxide and methane gases- rope, ladder, Bosun’s chair etc should be kept at
the site. No one should be allowed to work alone.

F. Water Quality

30 cm (1') layer of brick chips are placed at the bottom of the well. 1.8 cm or 3/4'' chips are placed at the
bottom in 10 cm (4'') layer, 1.3 cm (1/2'') chips are placed in next 10 cm (4'') and 2.5 cm (1'') chips are
placed in the last 10 cm (4'').

Water parameters should be tested in the laboratory at least two times a year. These parameters should
be: pH, colour, turbidity, iron, manganese, chloride, total dissolved solids, total coliform, faecal coliform
and arsenic.

Well water is cleaned two times a year. For this 2 kg lime is thoroughly mixed with 35 L of water and then
it is poured in the well. The well water is stirred and then kept unused for 3 to 4 days. After 3 days the
well is unloaded. The well is then filled with fresh water seeping from the aquifer.

wilsonweb.physics.harvard.edu/arsenic/remediation/Dugwells/Annex-3.html

Bored Wells

A Safe Water Supply Depends On Proper Location And Construction

Water wells must be located and constructed to provide safe water at all times and under all conditions.
The purpose of this publication is to describe approved methods for the construction of large diameter
bored wells.

Bacterial contamination of a water supply generally occurs when seepage from sewage systems or
surface water enters the well. Contamination may enter the well through the top or by seeping through
the well walls. Tests have shown that bacterial contamination is usually eliminated after water has
filtered through 10 feet of normal soil. Therefore, the well must be constructed to ensure that the top 10
feet of casing is watertight.

Proper Location

Proper location of a well reduces the possibility of contamination. A well should be higher than the
surrounding ground surface for good drainage. All possible sources of contamination should be at a
lower elevation than the well, and the distances to those contamination sources must be in accordance
with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code. Surface water should not accumulate within a 15-foot
radius of the well. A well should be at least 10 feet from sewers and 50 feet from septic tanks, or 75 feet
from sewage seepage fields.

Proper Construction

As opposed to smaller diameter drilled wells, bored wells are generally constructed at locations where
aquifers (water bearing geologic formations) are both shallow and low-yielding. An aquifer that yields
only 1 gallon per minute will provide 1,440 gallons per day. Bored wells range in depth from 30 feet to
100 feet. To compensate for low-yielding aquifers, large diameter bored wells serve as storage reservoirs
to provide water during periods of high demand. A bored well with a diameter of 3 feet, a total depth of
50 feet and a water depth of 30 feet, contains approximately 1,600 gallons of water.

There are two methods approved for the construction of bored wells.

1) Bored Well With Buried Slab Construction (See Figure 1)

Bored wells are usually constructed using the buried slab method. With this method, the upper well
casing shall extend to a depth of 10 feet or more below ground surface and be firmly imbedded in a
uniformly tapered hole that is formed when the reinforced concrete buried slab is manufactured, or shall
be connected to a pipe cast in the concrete slab. The upper well casing should be at least 4 inches in
diameter and extend from the concrete slab to at least 8 inches above the finished ground surface. A
bentonite seal that is a minimum of 12 inches in thickness shall be installed over the buried slab the
entire diameter of the borehole.

The earth fill on top of the buried slab and around the upper well casing shall be compacted and
mounded to cause surface water to drain away from the well. Sand or gravel shall not be used as fill on
top of the buried slab. The lower concrete casing is normally constructed using precast concrete sections
ranging in diameter from 2 feet to 3 feet. The diameter of the well bore hole below the buried slab must
be at least 4 inches greater than the outer diameter of the well casing, and the annular space (opening
between concrete casing and well bore) must be filled with pea gravel to the well bottom.

The discharge pipe exits the well below grade through an approved pitless well adapter. A pitless well
adapter is a mechanical device attached to the well casing pipe, usually below frost level, that permits
water to pass through the wall of the casing and provides protection to the well and water from
contamination. An approved vented well cap or seal shall be properly installed on top of the well casing.
As an alternative, the discharge pipe can exit at the top of the well casing through an approved well seal.
If the pump is located away from the well, the buried pipe leading to the pump from the well must be
encased in a pressure discharge line at system pressure.

2) Bored Well With Concrete Collar (See Figure 2)

For bored wells not finished with a buried slab, the concrete casing also ranges in diameter from 2 feet
to 3 feet. The annular space between the excavation and the installed casing should be grouted with
concrete that is at least 6 inches thick and poured without construction joints from a minimum of 10 feet
below ground level to the ground surface. The diameter of the well bore hole below the grouting must
be at least 4 inches greater than the outside diameter of the well casing and the annular space shall be
filled with pea gravel to the well bottom.

The casing shall extend at least 8 inches above the finished ground surface. The cover slab must be at
least 4 inches thick, without joints, adequately reinforced and with a diameter sufficient to extend to the
outer edge of the casing. Adequate sized pipe sleeve(s) shall be cast in place in the slab to accommodate
the type of pump or pump piping proposed for the well. A watertight joint must be made where the slab
rests on the well casing. If a manhole is installed, it should consist of a curb cast in the slab and extend 4
inches above the slab. A watertight cover must be provided over the manhole and should overhang the
curb at least 2 inches. The discharge pipe must exit the well in a watertight manner at the top of the well
casing through an approved well seal.

Disinfection

A new, cleaned or repaired well normally contains bacterial contamination that could be present for
weeks unless the well is thoroughly disinfected. This can be accomplished by the use of ordinary liquid
laundry bleach (unscented) in a solution concentration of 100 parts per million (ppm) of chlorine. The
amount of bleach required is determined by the amount of water in the well.

Directions for Disinfection

Three cups of laundry bleach (5.25% chlorine) are required for each 100 gallons of water. One cup equals
8 ounces, 2 cups equal 1 pint, and 4 cups equal 1 quart.
When working with chlorine bleach, you should always be in an open or well-ventilated place. Do not
allow bleach to remain in contact with the skin or clothing. Solutions are best handled in plastic
containers since strong chlorine solutions corrode metal containers.

Well

Diameter (feet)

Amount of 5.25 % Liquid Laundry Bleach (in Cups) Per Foot of Water in the Well

1½

4½

12

10

18

Determine the well diameter and the number of feet of water in your well.

From the diameter listed in the table above, use the number in the adjacent column to determine the
cups of liquid laundry bleach to use per foot of water. Multiply the cups of liquid laundry bleach times
the number of feet of water. For example, to disinfect a water well that is 3 feet in diameter with 10 feet
of water requires 15 cups (10 ft. x 1.5 cups/ft.) or about 1 gallon of liquid laundry bleach.

Add the required amount of liquid laundry bleach to 10 gallons of water and stir thoroughly.

Pour the entire amount of this solution into the top of the well. While pouring, splash the solution
around the casing or inside of the well, being certain that the solution has contacted all parts of the well.
Connect one or more hoses from faucets on the discharge side of the pressure tank to the top of the well
casing and start the pump, recirculating the water back into the well until a strong chlorine odor is
detected. Then open each faucet in the system until a chlorine smell is noticeable. Close all faucets.
Rinse chlorine solution off any wires and the pitless adapter in well casing. Seal the top of the well.

Let stand for several hours, preferably overnight.

After you have let the water stand, operate the pump, discharging water from all outlets until all chlorine
odor disappears. Adjust the flow of water from the faucets or fixtures that discharge into septic tank
systems to a low flow to avoid overloading the disposal system.

After the chlorine odor has disappeared, let the water run a few more minutes, then collect a sample of
the water and submit it to a laboratory for analysis.

www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/boredwlsFS.htm?&r=1

Driven Wells

Water wells must be properly located and constructed to provide safe water at all times and under all
conditions. The purpose of this publication is to describe approved methods for the construction of
driven wells. Driven wells as used in this publication also are referred to as sand-point wells.

Description of A Driven Well

A driven well is a small diameter well, assembled by joining lengths of steel pipe, 1¼ inches or 2 inches in
diameter, with threaded couplings. Each section of steel pipe is 4 feet or 5 feet in length. A drive-point
well screen, consisting of a screen 2 feet or 3 feet in length and attached to a hardened steel tip, is
couple threaded to the bottom of the string of pipe. The screen allows groundwater to flow into the well,
while keeping the sand out. Depending on the tightness of the soil, hand driven wells can extend to
depths of about 30 feet. Driven by weighted hammers, they can extend to depths of 50 feet and further
under ideal conditions.

To make the starting of the driving much easier, a pilot hole is first dug or augured at the ground surface
to accommodate the drive-point well screen and part of the first section of pipe. To protect the pipe
threads while driving, a drive cap is threaded onto the top of the pipe. It is not uncommon to drive the
pipe with a post driver, made of a short length of weighted steel pipe with handles. Weighted driving
tools, suspended from a tripod or derrick are sometimes used. Some driven well installers use specially
made motorized equipment to drive the pipe. Sections of steel pipe are added as the driving progresses.
The driving process continues until the sand point extends far enough below the static or non-pumping
water level to allow a sufficient depth for drawdown while the well is pumping.

Areas Where Driven Wells Are Constructed

Driven wells are usually constructed in areas of sand and gravel. Figure 1 will assist you in determining if
you are in a sandy area where it is more likely to construct a driven point well. More detailed surficial
geologic maps are available through the Illinois State Geological Survey. Sandy areas with deep water
tables are not conducive to driven wells. If encountered, large boulders or layers of compacted soil, e.g.,
clay or “hardpan,” can slow or completely stop the driving process. To see if driven wells can successfully
be constructed in your area, look at water well construction logs of nearby wells. Water well data is
available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois State Water Survey, and the
Illinois Geological Survey.

Figure 1. Major areas of sand and gravel in Illinois

From the Illinois State Geological Survey

When deciding what type of well to construct, it is important to consider how much water will be used.
If the water demand is expected to be high, especially if it is accompanied with higher pressures, a
drilled well with a submersible pump is often a higher yielding and more energy efficient alternative to a
driven well.

Susceptibility of Driven Wells to Contamination

Since driven wells are usually constructed in permeable sandy soils with a high water table, they are
susceptible to contamination from land use activities, such as subsurface sewage seepage systems, and
heavy use of fertilizers. Chemical contaminants can move down through permeable sandy soils, enter
the groundwater and move into a well. However, if properly located and constructed, and with land use
taken into consideration in the immediate area, driven wells can offer protection from most types of
contaminants, especially bacteria.

Who May Construct a Driven Well

The individual installing the driven well is not required to be a licensed water well contractor. The
contractor who installs the pump shall be a licensed water well pump installation contractor. An
unlicensed individual may install a water well pump in a well on land that is owned or leased by this
individual and is used by this individual for farming purposes or as this individual’s house. In all cases, a
water well construction permit must be obtained from the local health department before construction.

Proper Location

Appropriate location of the well reduces the possibility of contamination. The ideal well location has
good drainage and is higher than the surrounding ground surface. All possible sources of contamination
should be at a lower elevation than the well, and the distances to those contamination sources must be
in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code, Section 920.50. Surface drainage should
not allow surface water to accumulate within a 15-foot radius of the well. A well should be at least 10
feet from sewers, 50 feet from septic tanks, and 75 feet from sewage seepage fields.

Proper Construction (Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation
Code)

(See Figure 2)

Driven wells shall be constructed in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code and the
Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code.

The drive-point well screen, drive pipe, and joints must be structurally suitable to prevent rupture during
the driving of the well. Steel piping for driven wells shall be a minimum of schedule 40. If aids to driving
are used, such as an augured starting hole or water jetting, the annular space around the drive pipe must
be sealed with cement grout or puddle clay. The type of pump proposed will determine how the top 10
feet or more of the well shall be completed. A minimum of 20 feet of casing must be provided for the
pump drop pipe.

Figure 2. Driven well with shallow well jet thread-on pitless unit

Driven wells shall not be constructed in basements or pits; however, pumps and pressure tanks may be
located in basements.
The well casing must terminate at least 8 inches above ground level. An approved well cap or seal must
be installed at the top of the well casing to prevent any contamination from entering the well at the
surface. A watertight seal must be used when suction, pressure, and electric lines exit the well through
the top of the casing. Frost protection should be provided by use of an insulated pump house, if the
discharge pipe exits the well above grade. An approved pitless adapter must be used when the discharge
pipe exits the well below grade.

Suction and jet pumps are the more common types of pumps installed on driven wells. If the pump is
located away from the well, the buried pipe leading to the pump from the well must be encased in
another pipe maintained at system pressure. Hand pumps equipped with a packing gland around the
pump rod; an enclosed, turned-down spout; and a bell-type, one piece base made as a part of the pump
stand or attached to the pump column in a watertight manner, are approved for this use. A down-turned
smooth nose sampling faucet shall be installed not less than 18 inches above the floor in a convenient
location between the water well and the pressure tank or as near to the well as possible.

www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/private-water/driven-wells

Drilled Wells

A Safe Water Supply Depends On Proper Location And Construction

Water wells must be located and constructed to provide safe water at all times and under all conditions.
The purpose of this publication is to describe approved methods for the construction of drilled wells.

Bacterial contamination of a water supply generally occurs when seepage from sewage systems or
surface water enters the well. Contamination may enter the well through the top or by seeping through
the well walls. Tests have shown that bacterial contamination is usually eliminated after water has
filtered through 10 feet of normal soil. Therefore, the well must be constructed to ensure that the top 10
feet of casing is watertight.
Proper Location

Appropriate location of the well reduces the possibility of contamination. The ideal well location has
good drainage and is higher than the surrounding ground surface. All possible sources of contamination
should be at a lower elevation than the well, and the distances to those contamination sources must be
in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Construction Code (IWWCC). Surface drainage should not
allow surface water to accumulate within a 15-foot radius of the well. A well should be at least 10 feet
from sewers and 50 feet from septic tanks, or 75 feet from sewage seepage fields.

Proper Construction

(See Illustration A)

An approved well cap or seal shall be installed at the top of the well casing to prevent any contamination
from entering the well at the surface. A well vent is required. The well vent pipe shall be at least ½ inch
in diameter, 8 inches above the finished grade, and be turned down, with the opening screened with a
minimum 24-mesh durable screen to prevent entry of insects. Only approved well casing material
meeting the requirements of the IWWCC may be utilized. To prevent contamination, the annular space
between the drill hole and the well casing shall be grouted below the pitless adapter or unit in
accordance with the IWWCC.

Pump Suction Lines

All water well pumps shall be installed in accordance with the Illinois Water Well Pump Installation Code.
If the pump is located away from the well, the buried pipe leading to the pump from the well shall be
encased in another pipe maintained at system pressure. A down-turned smooth nose sampling faucet
shall be installed, not less than 18 inches above the floor, in a convenient location between the water
well and the pressure tank or as near to the well as possible.

New Drilled Wells

New drilled wells shall not be located in pits. The well casing shall terminate at least 8 inches above
ground level. Frost protection should be provided by use of an insulated pump house or an approved
pitless adapter.
Jet, reciprocating, deep well turbine, and submersible pumps are all approved. All suction, pressure,
vent, and electric lines shall enter the top of the casing through a watertight seal.

Hand pumps equipped with a packing gland around the pump rod; an enclosed, turned-down spout; and
a bell-type, one piece base made as a part of the pump stand or attached to the pump column in a
watertight manner are approved.

Pumps and pressure tanks may be located in basements. All wells, however, must be located outside of
basement walls.

Eliminating Existing Pits

Existing well pits that are not structurally sound and watertight or do not have well casing that extends
at least 12 inches above the pit floor should be eliminated. Breaking or removing the floor or one wall of
the pit accomplishes this task. The well casing must be extended to at least 8 inches above the finished
grade. Fill in the pit with compacted earth. If the pump discharge line exits the top of the well, a well seal
and insulated pump house are necessary. If the pump discharge line passes through the well casing
underground, an approved pitless adapter shall be installed.

Rehabilitation, reconstruction or repair of wells shall be done in compliance with the IWWCC.

www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/factsheets/drilledwlsFS.htm

Drilling Methods for Tube Wells:

1. Percussion Boring Method:

This method is suitable for the soft and fissured rock formations. In purely soil formations this method
gives very high working rate. This method consists in breaking and pulverizing the subsoil material by
series of repeated blows with a cutter made of hard metal. The pulverized material mixes with water and
it is then removed. Sometimes this method is also called cable tool method. Boring can be done
manually or mechanically. Bores as big as 30 cm in diameter and over 200 to 300 m deep can be very
conveniently drilled which meet the normal requirement.
The blows are given by means of a plunger. The plunger consists of a hollow metal tube. A cutter is fixed
to the bottom end of the plunger by riveting or welding. A ball valve made of steel is also provided at the
bottom of the plunger. The valve is such that it allows slurry of pulverized soil material in water to enter
the plunger.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Once the slurry enters the plunger the valve closes and slurry is prevented from coming out. Thus the
valve has only one way action. Sometimes flap valve may also be provided in the plunger. The purpose
served is exactly the same as that of ball valve. Figure 18.4 shows a flap valve. Thus plunger performs the
function of a sludger and a bailer also.

The plunger can be lowered and raised in two ways:

i. By rope system, and

ADVERTISEMENTS:

ii. By rod system.

In rope system the upper end of the plunger is attached to a rope. The rope runs over a pulley. The
plunger is lifted up and released suddenly to give a blow. Rod system is similar in principle to the rope
system. Only difference is rod replaces the rope and consequently the rod operating machinery is also
changed. The disadvantage of rod system is, time is wasted in increasing or decreasing the rod length.
The rod length can be increased or decreased by screwing or unscrewing small rod lengths.

The actual boring procedure by manual percussion method is as described below:

A pit is dug at the site where the tube well is to be sunk. The casing pipe with a cutter shoe is inserted in
the pit. A platform is clamped to the casing pipe. The platform is loaded by means of locally available
material filled in jute bags.

Over the casing pipe a tripod is erected and a pulley is fixed to it centrally. A rope runs over the pulley.
One end of the rope is attached to the plunger. The diameter of the plunger is slightly less than the
casing pipe (say by 6 cm). The arrangement is clear from Fig. 18.5.

Before starting actual boring some water is poured in the hole. As the plunger gives blows during each
blow slurry gets into the plunger. Blows are given repeatedly till the plunger is full of slurry. The plunger
is then taken out and the slurry is removed by turning plunger upside down. The plunger is again
lowered and the process repeated. Thus the casing pipe goes on sinking. When the length of casing pipe
goes below the ground level sufficiently, additional pipe may be attached at the top of the first pipe. In
order to increase working rate machine percussion, is used.

The material coming out is inspected carefully and a record is prepared, it is called logging. From the well
log position of aquifers can be computed correctly. When the tube well casing pipe reaches a
predetermined depth the platform is removed and a pipe with strainers at the determined levels of
aquifers is lowered in the hole. After lowering it up to required depth the strainer pipe is clamped. It
gives support and prevents it from falling into the bottom of the hole. Then shrouding is started. In the
beginning about 60 cm length of shrouding is done. Then the pipe casing is slowly removed by 30 cm.

Then again 30 cm of shrouding is done and again pipe casing is lifted by about 30 cm. Thus the shrouding
and pipe withdrawal is done slowly, successively and in small lifts of about 30 cm till the whole pipe
casing is withdrawn. The amount of material required for shrouding per 30 cm length can be accurately
calculated beforehand. It will depend naturally on the thickness of the gravel pack. Normally thickness of
the gravel pack varies between 7.5 cm to 25 cm. The thickness of gravel pack should be such that it
would not allow even finest particles to move.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Machine Percussion or Cable Tool Method:

The machine used for tube well drilling is called a drilling rig. The rig for cable tool method is a truck
mounted assembly from consideration of mobility and consists of a mast, a multiline hoist, a walking
beam and an engine. Figure 18.6 shows the assembly. The string of tools includes drill bit, drill stem,
drilling jars which serve as connecting links and rope socket for connecting drill line. Figure 18.7 shows
components of drilling tool. Total weight of the tool varies from 100 to 2000 kg. because different types
of bits are required for different rock formations. Length of drill bit varies from 1 to 3 m whereas drill
stem is 2 to 10 m long.

The operation in principle is similar to manual method. The cable tool bit acts as a crusher for drilling in
consolidated rocks. The drilling is performed by repeated blows of the drilling tool which makes about 40
to 60 strokes in one minute. The drill line is rotated so that a round hole is drilled. As in the manual
method water is added to the bore to form the slurry if the same is not present in the subsoil formation.
After the bore is drilled by 1.25 to 1.5 m the drilling tool is removed and the slurry is taken out of the
hole by means of sand pump or bailer.

The bailer has one way valve which permits slurry to enter the bailer but does not allow to escape. After
the bailer is filled it is raised and emptied at surface. The length of the bailer also ranges from 3 to 12 m.
In unconsolidated formations the well casing is inserted and simultaneously sunk to full depth to avoid
caving in of the material. The rate of drilling depends on the type of sub-soil formation met with,
diameter of the well and the depth of hole mainly. In solid crystalline rock formations the drilling rate
could be as low as 2 to 3 m per day.
Drilling rate in loose flowing fine sand formations is equally low because it fills the hole as soon as
material is bailed out. To check the sand inflow the hole can be kept filled with water. Drilling in
unconsolidated formation with bouldere is quite difficult because the boulders not only deflect the hole
but they are hard to drill and prevent sinking of well casing. In soft formations like sand stone or sandy
clay, the drilling rate could be as high as 20 to 30 m per day. The bore is carefully logged to ascertain the
position of various types of formations met with.

2. Rotary Boring Method:

Hydraulic Rotary Boring Method:

This method is generally called rotary boring method. This method can be successfully used for rock as
well as unconsolidated formation. The method is therefore used for water well as well as oil well drilling.
Oil wells are generally very deep and this method is well suited for them because unlike other methods
the drilling rate is not dependent on the depth of the hole.

In this method drilling is done by means of rotating bits attached to lower end of hallow steel pipe. The
steel pipe is attached to a square section of a steel rod at the top which is called kelly. Kelly fits in a
rotating table at the surface. The rotating table is rotated by power. The powdered rock and cuttings are
removed by continuous circulation of drilling fluid.

The hydraulic rotary drilling rig consists of a derrick or mast, a rotating table, a pump for injecting drilling
mud, a hoist and an engine. The drill pipes are seamless steel tubings generally available in 6 m lengths.
The external diameter of the pipes ranges from 6 to 12 cm.

Generally adequate size of pipe is used because well drilling requires large quantity of drilling fluid in
circulation. The drilling bits attached to the lower end of the drill pipe is provided with short nozzles to
direct the jets of drilling fluid down the faces of the blades of drilling bit. Figure 18.8 shows schematic
diagram of rotary boring method.
The rotating table in which the kelly fits in closely turns the drill. The drilling bit cuts through the
formation and as the hole deepens the drill rod slides down. At this stage the kelly is unfastened and
pulled up to attach new length of pipe. The drilling fluid or bentonite (clay) slurry is pumped down
through the drill pipe and out through the nozzles in the bit. The mud then rises to the surface through
the annular space between drill pipe and the bore and removes the rock fragments and cuttings with it.

The drilling fluid performs following functions:

(i) It supports the walls of the bore and prevents caving.

(ii) It removes cuttings from the bore hole.

(iii) It checks the inflow of groundwater into the well while drilling is in progress.

(iv) It cools the bit and lubricates the drill stem.

(v) It prevents the cuttings from settling down on the bottom of the bore.

(vi) It softens the underground formation and speeds up drilling.

Since there is likelihood that the drilling mud may seal low pressure water bearing formations it is
necessary to control quantity of mud in the water. Once the drilling fluid comes to the surface, it is taken
in a settling pit where rock fragments settle down. The cleaned fluid is re-circulated through the hole.

As boring progresses detailed logging of the subsurface formations met with is done. After the well is
drilled to required depth a well pipe with strainer and blind lengths of determined sizes is lowered. Since
the bore walls are coated with colloidal mixture of bentonite it becomes necessary to wash the walls.
It is called back-washing. For back-washing drill pipe with a collar of the size of the well pipe attached
above the drill bit is again inserted. The pump forces the water containing calgon (sodium hexa-meta-
phosphate) down the drill pipe.

The water rushes through the strainers and the calgon disperses the clay colloids deposited on the bore
walls. To increase efficiency of back-wash the drill pipe is moved up and down to create surging action.
The drilling rate by this method depends on type of subsurface formation penetrated and type of rig
equipment used. Contrary to the cable tool method the rate of drilling by hydraulic rotary method does
not depend upon the depth of the hole.

The rate of drilling in consolidated rock formations may vary from 10 to 15 m per day whereas in un-
consolidated formations it may reach 100 to 150 m per day.