Well Permitting, Design, Construction and Improvements for Williamstown
Weston & Sampson assisted the Town of Williamstown on a variety of aquifer projects. This unique valley setting in western Massachusetts has a confined aquifer that exhibits artesian pressures. Thus, all subsurface and mechanical infrastructure work requires extreme care to avoid subsurface failures, and appropriate pressure relief systems are needed for proper operation and future maintenance.
Well Abandonment Services
A well at an abandoned manufacturing facility was the subject of town redevelopment efforts. Before site construction activities could begin, an existing gravel had to be capped and sealed. The well was capable of flowing in excess of 250 gallons per minute, with a measured pressure at ground surface of 23 psi or approximately 60 feet above grade. Through a combination of relief pumping and emplacement of a downhole packer assembly, the well was grouted and sealed in place.
Replacement Well Permitting, Design, and Construction Services
The municipal production well (Well #1), built in the 1940s, showed evidence of severe plugging. Also, the integrity of the well seal was in question. Even with considerable efforts to pressure-grout the subsurface, the well’s long-term viability was also in question.
To properly replace the source, a specially designed test-drilling program was conducted to target viable aquifer locations. Multiple casings and grout seals were used to advance test borings to 155 feet in the deep confined gravel aquifer. The resulting test wells produced 80 gpm at 16 psi, or approximately 38 feet of artesian pressure.
Based on the anticipated yield (500-800 gpm) and water quality parameters, Weston & Sampson completed the final well design, supervised the construction of a new pumping station and chemical feed building, and obtained source approval through the Department of Environmental Protection. Our design services also included modifications and rehabilitation of the entire SCADA system and radio infrastructure.
Energy Efficiency
The final station design includes a separate vertical turbine pump with a wire to water efficiency, and is producing a 30% savings over planned submersible designs. The new station also has R-40 insulation. Chemical feed buildings were rehabilitated with all new wiring, electrical systems, insulation, and ceiling work. Heating system designs include a geothermal heat exchanger to use available heat from the pressurized aquifer without the need for circulation pumping.