Five production boreholes were drilled for United Utilities, together with two observation boreholes.

Drilling commenced with diameters upto 1200mm (48″) diameter, using temporary casings.   The boreholes were 600mm (24″) finished diameter and to depths of upto 120 metres.

Extensive step and constant rate test pumping was carried out, both on each individual borehole and a combined test with four of the five boreholes.  The step testing consisted of 5no. 24 hour steps of rates in excess of 130m3/hour (35l/s), followed by a 10day constant rate test at rates in excess of 130m3/hour (35l/s).    The combined test was carried out on four boreholes pumping together at rates of 100m3/hour (27.5l/s) per borehole, covering a 14 day period, plus 5 day recovery test.

The strata encountered during drilling was extremely difficult, complicated and interchangable being made up of a mixture of sand and gravels at depth, sandstone, iron stone, and heavily fractured sandstones.  The aim was to complete the boreholes into the faults so to maximize the yields.

A decision was taken to  use cable tool machines to not only accommodate the difficult strata, but also to overcome the very tight site constraints imposed on ourselves, with no water for the drilling process and all sites being adjacent to highways and domestic housing, it was of paramount importance that we kept the disruption to the general public to a minimum.

The cable tool method of drilling is extremely environmentally friendly, this method of drilling uses no additives during the drilling process so leaving a very clean borehole for production purposes.   There is very very little noise from the drilling operations, and drilling debris can be controlled very effectively.

All the boreholes were geologged, with extensive logging carried out.   The boreholes were 100% vertical, constructed better than the industry standard for verticallity  of 1 in 100.

Lining tubes installed were 600mm diameter (24″) plain steel lining tubes to BS879, and varied in depths from 35m bgl to depths of 80m bgl.

All the boreholes proved to be a massive success with the yield far better than expected.  All the boreholes yielded over 3ml/day with an average drawdown of 20 metres.

The borehole water quality is such, that it is hoped to be pumped directly into Ennerdale lake, without treatment.

Our experience and capability extends to:

• Drilling new water supply boreholes from 150mm (6″) to 1050mm (42″) diameter to depths of up to 1000m.
• Handling contracts and work on boreholes for many different sectors including domestic, industrial, commercial, agricultural, water and energy (geothermal).
• Providing full turnkey systems on new installations from initial feasibility study through drilling and test pumping to connecting and commissioning the system. This includes completing all the Astraction Licencing documentation required by the Environment Agency. 

The ‘projects’ section details the variety and type of work that has been undertaken by the company.

Note – Cable Tool Drilling

Cable tool drilling can achieve a verticality of better than 1 in 300. This exceeds the Environment Agency and most Water Authority standards ( 1 in 100) and is an invaluable method of drilling if site constraints dictate.

Drilling Rigs & Equipment

We hold and employ a large array of drilling rigs including:-

• 2no. Drilltech DK25KW rotary drilling rigs with built in compressor
• 1no. Schramm T685DHH rotary drilling rig with built in compressor
• 1no. Failing 1500 rotary drilling rig
• 1no. Mayhew 1000 rotary drilling rig
• 3no. Mayhew 1000 rotary drilling rigs
• 5no. Rushton Bucyrus 60RL cable tool drilling rigs
• 1no. Bucyrus Eyre 36L cable tool drilling rig
• 2no. Rushton Bucyrus 22RW cable tool drilling rigs
• 1no. Sykes No: 5 piling winch
• 1no. portable rotary rig capacity of drilling upto 300mm diameter
• Mobile tracked crane, and mobile cranes upto 25tonne
• Mobile generating sets upto 300kva
• Mobile compressors upto 750psi

Methodology – we employ cable tool, rotary mud/polymer, air and water flush, and reverse circulation systems where necessary.

Some of the equipment can be viewed on our ‘gallery’ page.

Stainless Steel & Copper Screens

Where necessary we include the installation of stainless steel or copper screens.

We can fabricate copper screens up to 200mm diameter.

Where applicable filter media can be installed behind the screen.

We are distributors for many major pump manufacturers including Grundfos, Hayward Tyler, Lowara and Caprari.

Installations

We install submersible pumps from 1m3/hour to 500m3/hour using our own cranage and equipment. This can include:

• Tracked cranes.
• Varying sizes of specialist pump removal cranes specifically adapted for accessing restricted borehole locations.
• Mobile cranes up to 25tonne capacity.
• Smaller lifting apparatus including electric, manual and air chain blocks with varying capacity shear legs.

All our systems are designed to prevent oversizing of pumping equipment. We monitor all aspects of a project from feasibility to the analysis of test pumping data to ensure the most economical solution for our clients.

We can offer a full turnkey package on permanent pump installations including pump sizing, M&E design, contol panel construction, installation and commissioning.

We also offer a 24 hour breakdown service on water supply borehole pumps.

Hire

We probably stock the UK’s largest range of  submersible borehole pumps and pump starters.

We provide pump repair and testing facilities  for submersible pumps units up to 300kw.

For professional help and advice please call our office to speak to one of our engineers.

The pictures on this page show the removal and installation of pumps using different types of equipment. The rising mains shown  include – screwed and socketted, flanged and the flexible Wellmaster system.