This CPD event was hosted as a joint event by the Groundwater Association of KwaZulu-Natal (GAKZN) and the GWD KZN Branch, and moderated by the KZN Branch Chair, Mr Pieter Labuschagne.

Special mention and thank you to Gavin Hill (Hillson Drilling, KZN) for his assistance in organising this event.

GAKZN-Meeting-Invite-June-2020-1Download

PRESENTATION ABSTRACT 

The expectation of a water well is to provide the desired production rate at any given time.  This performance expectation has been expanded to not only providing the maximum production rate but also for the well to operate at its highest efficiency. Both internal and external design and hydraulic factors must be accounted for during the design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases in order to maximize the well's production potential with minimum head losses. This presentation will highlight the critical components of the good design process and demonstrate how wells can be operated with greater water production and cost-efficiency.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER 

Kevin McGillicuddy is the Chief Hydrogeologist for the Roscoe Moss Company with over 35 years professional experience working nationally and internationally on groundwater development projects.  Kevin was a founding member and Chair of the   CA/NV AWWA Water Well Technology Committee and a member of the AWWA A100 Well Standards Committee. Prior to joining Roscoe     Moss  Company, he worked as Director of Recharge Operations and as a  Senior  Hydrogeologist for the Orange County Water District in Fountain Valley, CA. He holds a B.S Degree in Geology from Boston College and M.S. Degree in Geology from the University of Southern California.

REGISTRATIONS/ATTENDEES A total number of 139 registrations were received, with 95 total stations in attendance and 46 attendees signing in their attendance via the Chat window and thus qualifying for CPD attendance.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Recording available via the GWD YouTube channel (original unedited)
Please copy and paste this link into your browser.

Q&A SESSION

Q: How does topography influence the well design?
Q: Is there a certain minimum amount of time recommended for well development when using a test pump and straining the well, and is the point of max efficiency easy to distinguish between reaching a recharge boundary?
Q: Borehole clogging is a challenge in many parts of South Africa. Do you think there is a preferable well design to reduce or eliminate clogging? Or do you think monitoring is the best solution?
Q: Within central Africa especially in the highly weathered area, Roscoe moss screens are usually recommended as the best screens but mainly Johnson screens seem to be readily available. any reason for that?
Q: Could the positioning of the pump in the well be used to limit vertical flow losses, and does the length of the screen affect vertical flow losses?

Want to engage further with the Speaker?
Please feel free to contact: Kevin McGillicuddy, P.G. Roscoe Moss Company, Los Angeles, via EMAIL: [email protected]

Due to popular demand - we do look forward to host Kevin as presenter again in the near future. Thank you for an excellent presentation.