Filling the Aquifer

[Don Frizzell]

no, I'm taking about using fresh water from river. Just drill a few
hole below water level in a fresh water river that lays over an
aquifer.

[pavel]

Post by Don Frizzell
no, I'm taking about using fresh water from river. Just drill a few
hole below water level in a fresh water river that lays over an
aquifer.

It is a question of pressure and void volume. In the first place if the
aquifer is confined then the pore pressure can be about the weight of
overburden. Depending on the depth, you would need to generate large
pressures to pump the water into the aquifer.

Secondly, as water is pumped out on the aquifer, void space collapses and
the aquifer looses is capacity to replenish. This phenomenon leads to
surface subsidence as observed in may locals around the world.

Pavel.

[Don Frizzell]

It seems like both of these problems could be overcome by drilling
surface holes to relieve the pressure. Both negative and positive
pressure. And may need to be required for people drilling into the
aquifer. If the negative pressure is a substancial problem.

[George]

Post by Don Frizzell
It seems like both of these problems could be overcome by drilling
surface holes to relieve the pressure. Both negative and positive
pressure. And may need to be required for people drilling into the
aquifer. If the negative pressure is a substancial problem.

Hmmm. Dupont has for many years been pumping water from 8 large commercial
wells installed in the bed of the Ohio River. They pump about 8 million
gallons/day. The only significant problem they've had is Iron-loving
bacteria build up in the well. The have to jet the wells about once a year.
Other than that, the wells have been very successful.

[Don Frizzell]

But why use the elctricity to pump the water. If you drill below the
surface of the water in a clean river, gravity would fill the aquafer.
You would need a vent hole drill on land into the aquifer close to the
hole submersed hole. The inlet below the surface of the water could be
easily adjusted to regulate the amount going into the aquifer. I'm
thinking maybe a Corp. of Engineer project as with the dams. Of course
the oil companies would have the abilitity if they had the inscentive
and freedom of regulation.