In this part of Illinois the geological formations vary greatly. It is necessary for a drilling contractor to have the equipment and knowledge to construct three different types of water wells in order to properly service the needs of all the consumers in this region. The geology can change so quickly in some instances that homeowners with adjacent property would have different types of water wells.

Kohnen Concrete Products is the only drilling contractor in this area that is equipped to construct all three types of water wells. Our experience of over forty years is invaluable to the consumer for knowing what type of water well is best for a particular area. Here are the three types of water wells and why each type has advantages for different types of geological formations. We hope this information is helpful to you and we thank you for considering Kohnen Concrete Products for your water well needs.
 

Shallow Wells

Groundwater is sometimes found above the bedrock layer in the unconsolidated formations. These formations consist of clay and sand. If there is groundwater in these formations a shallow well can be constructed. Many times, however there is only a small amount of water bearing sand or sandy clay and the ground water will only flow or seep at one gallon per minute or less. This is obviously not enough water supply to run the average household. But an adequate water well is possible if a reservoir can be created to store water until needed. This “reservoir” is created by boring a large diameter hole and putting large diameter casing or tile in the hole. This allows the water to flow or seep into the hole continuously and build-up the supply of water in storage. Just a half-gallon per minute flow would amount to 720 gallons of water in 24 hours. This is more than adequate since the average household uses 300 to 500 gallons per day. Many shallow wells produce much more water.

A very important consideration in a shallow well is the inside diameter of the casing because the capacity is limited by the size of the “hole” created by this casing. Kohnen Concrete uses 36” I.D. concrete casing in our large diameter shallow wells. The hole capacity is 53 gallons per lineal foot. If the casing was just 6” smaller (30” I.D.) the holding capacity drops down to 36 gallons per foot. Since many wells only hold 10 or 15 feet of water, this could be the difference between an adequate water well and a marginal water well. If you talk with someone else about a large diameter water well, be sure to find out the INSIDE DIAMETER of the casing.

The lower half of Illinois is very challenging due to the various and changing geology. KCP’s experience of over 50 years is invaluable and has been the difference for numerous customers over the years between having an adequate water supply and an unproductive hole in the ground.

Screen Wells

This type of well is constructed above bedrock in sand formations of adequate size. This type of formation contains it’s own reservoir of water and the key to tapping the reservoir is constructing a well that pumps the water but not the sand. As you might imagine this requires a screen. There are various challenges in doing this. Drilling a hole and keeping it intact without destroying the hole/sand interface so that water can get through the formation into the screen after it is set. The proper size screen openings so sand does not fill in the screen. Using a screen that does not clog with finer sand particles and no longer allow water into the screen.

KCP has the experience and specialized equipment to maintain the hole integrity without damaging the transmitting capacity of the formation. KCP has developed an optimum slot size and artificial well pack of graded sand shipped in from Iowa which is ideal for most residential and light agricultural use. For large production and irrigation wells sand sampling should be performed to optimize the production. The screen is the heart of the well and is a specialized design which has a reverse V slot which prevents finer grains of sand from clogging the openings. Without this design the well would always be subject to premature failure. KCP can guarantee that a screen well constructed in this manner will not fill in with sand or clog with fine sand particles.

This should not be confused with a “sand point”. Sand points are between 1 ½ “ and 2 “ in diameter and are very limited in production and usability. KCP’s screen wells are a minimum of 6” diameter which allow for submersible pump installation and pitless adaptors to be used for the connection to the water service to the house. The pitless adaptor is a device which forms a seal against surface water contamination into the well and allows the water line to exit the well 3’ underground.

Deep Wells

This type of water well is drilled into bedrock. The water bearing formation is either sandstone or fractured limestone. The average depth in this region is 150’ to 350’. The decision to go with a deep well instead of a shallow well is generally based on what groundwater is available. There are some areas where either type would work. We will advise you of these possibilities for your location. Also, if you talk with your neighbors, you will usually find they have either all shallow wells or all deep wells.

A popular misconception is that deep wells have better water than shallow wells. Although the old hand dug brick wells are pollution hazards due to surface water contamination, there is no basis for considering the water from a deep well to be better quality than the water from a properly constructed shallow well.

There can be advantages for a deep well. Generally, the water supply from a deep well will not be affected by drought conditions. Not all shallow wells are affected by drought periods, but some will have a reduction in supply during very dry weather. As previously stated, though, the decision whether to go deep well or shallow well is based on the geological conditions existing at a particular location and our experience can give you that information.

Kohnen Concrete uses the most modern equipment and techniques for drilling deep wells. This is more than just a new piece of equipment. The modern deep well drilling equipment did not develop until the late 1950’s. In fact, the bulk of knowledge in this field has been developed in just the past few years. Kohnen Concrete has kept up with the improvements. These improvements provide our customers with better water wells.

One of those improvements is in the casing. We use PVC well casing. This casing is designed for this use and gives the benefit of eliminating rust and corrosion that will occur with steel casing. Other improvements are with the drilling process to give better and cleaner holes without destroying the water bearing formation. There is no need to go into technical explanations, but in some instances, a successful water well is only possible due to technology and know-how.

Due to the amount of fuel used in our equipment for drilling a water well it is necessary for Kohnen Concrete Products to address the instability in the cost of fuel. It is not practical to adjust our prices as the Cost of fuel fluctuates so the only reasonable alternative is to charge a fuel surcharge during times of high fuel cost which can be adjusted or removed according to fuel prices.
 

No one can guarantee that water will be found. KCP’s success rate is high overall but in some areas the risk of a dry hole is greater. KCP professionals will advise if an area has been marginal based on past experience. There is a fee for dry or unusable holes due to geology. This charge is established to cover a portion of drilling costs as a shared risk with the customer. This fee will be assessed on a per foot basis. Any minimum charges for the job will still apply.

Test holes are considered any holes whereby the intent of drilling the hole is to obtain information and not to construct a well in that hole at the time of drilling. The charge for these types of holes will be based on hourly or daily charges.

Well Abandonment

Services are offered for old wells not being used to prevent contamination of underground water supplies.  It is important when sealing a well, that specific procedures are followed as outlined by Illinois regulations.  Contact us with the specific information of the well to be sealed for a quote. 

Bentonite

A sealing material used in construction and abandonment of wells and is available in powder, granular and chip form.
 

Complete Pump System

Sales * Installation * Service

Kohnen Concrete Products is the only company you need to contact to finish the job. KCP offers professional, licensed personnel to install the pump in the well and trench the water and electric service into the house. This is important because not only does it relieve the homeowner from the hassle of contacting multiple contractors to finish the job, it assures that the installation will be properly completed. The modern water delivery system is one of the most reliable appliances in the household today and offers a level of sophistication not even dreamed of ten years ago. The latest innovation is constant pressure pump systems which eliminate the annoying fluctuation of pressure associated with water well pump systems since they were first installed a hundred years ago. However, the designer and installer must have complete knowledge of the function and relationship of the components to assure proper and reliable operation. No two installations are exactly the same. These variables will determine the size of the pump, pressure tank and wire size used in the installation.

Kohnen Concrete Products includes a five year warranty on the pump, motor and pressure tank. Other than the variable speed controls for constant pressure systems these are the major operational components of the system. KCP also warrants defects in material and workmanship (labor) for one year.       

Pump—KCP offers Goulds pumps for most residential applications. Goulds is a nationally recognized company which manufactures the highest quality pumps and motors available today. Whether it is the standard submersible system or the constant pressure system, KCP can supply the equipment for your installation.  www.goulds.com

Pressure tanks—KCP offers Well-Rite pressure tanks.  www.flexconind.com