Drilling Construction Process Explained: Steps Every Client Needs to Know

Drilling Construction Process Explained: Steps Every Client Needs to Know

Hiring a construction team to drill a domestic water well requires understanding the complete construction process and its key stages. This will help you, as the client, effectively supervise the project and ensure you get a high-quality well. Here are the main steps you need to know.

I. Preparation Phase

Site Survey and Positioning: The construction team will work with you to confirm the well location, avoiding pollution sources such as septic tanks and sewage ditches (a distance of at least 30 meters is recommended), and considering future water access convenience.

Equipment and Materials Delivery: The drilling rig, well casing, filter pipes, filter media (gravel), and sealing materials are delivered to the site. You should personally inspect the materials to ensure the pipes are free of cracks and the filter media is clean.

II. Drilling and Stratigraphic Logging Phase

Drilling Operation: The drilling rig begins work, drilling into the ground.

Key Client Supervision Point: Request the construction team to briefly record the soil, sand, and rock layers encountered at different depths. This "stratigraphic log" is the only basis for accurate pipe installation later; it's best to take photos for your records.

III. Pipe Installation, Well Completion, and Sealing Phase (Core of the Supervision Process)

This stage determines the lifespan and water quality of the well; full-time on-site supervision is recommended.

Installing the Well Casing: The connected well casing (including the filter pipe section) is lowered into the drilled hole.

Supervision Points: Ensure the filter pipe section is accurately aligned with the previously recorded water-bearing sand layer.

Filling with Filter Media (Gravel Packing): Clean quartz sand or gravel is filled into the annular space between the well casing and the well wall.

Supervision Points: The filling must be uniform and continuous to form a natural filter layer and prevent sand production. Using excavated soil for backfilling is strictly prohibited.

Sealing and Water Isolation (Cementing): Above the filter media layer, a tight and dense seal must be created using high-quality clay balls or bentonite, extending almost to the surface.

Supervision Points: This step is crucial for preventing surface water contamination and ensuring water quality safety; it must not be omitted or replaced with ordinary soil.

IV. Well Cleaning and Pumping Test Phase

Thorough Well Cleaning: The well is thoroughly and continuously flushed using an air compressor or a large pump. Acceptance Criteria: The well must be flushed until the extracted water is completely clear and free of sand particles.

Pumping Test and Acceptance:

Measure the static water level depth.

Conduct continuous pumping for several hours (e.g., 4-6 hours) to assess whether the water yield is sufficient and stable, and how well the water level recovers.

Visually inspect the water quality on-site; it should be clear, transparent, and odorless.

V. Completion and Handover Phase

Equipment removal and site cleanup.

Document Handover: Request a simple well completion report from the contractor, which should at least include: a schematic diagram of the well structure, a brief description of the geological strata, the static water level depth, and a list of materials used. This is the well's "identity card."

Final Payment: It is recommended to use a phased payment method linked to key project milestones, with the final payment made after the water test and acceptance are completed successfully.

Summary: Clear Process, Proactive Supervision, Results-Oriented

As a client, your focus of supervision should be on the following decisive aspects: material acceptance, geological strata records, filter pipe alignment, filter material filling, sealing and water stoppage, well flushing water quality, and final water yield. Understanding these steps will allow you to move from passive waiting to proactive management, enabling effective communication with the contractor and working together to build a durable and long-lasting well.