need pump test but well is partially blocked-jet pump?

Back ground- we are a not-for-profit afordable housing group, with a deadline.
We are trying to get our development permitted. we have already proven enough water with one of our 4 wells, but the neighbours have convinced the authorities that we need lots more proof.

There is a 14gal/min well (in shale, with no liner), that is partially blocked. I can get pex down the well and probably 1 to 1&1/2" pipe down too. It was blocked at 17 ft and it seemed clear then to about 100 ft (using a counter weight from a old fashioned window). Now though the blockage is at about 20 ft.
I got a rebar tool welded to poke through blocks up to about 35 ft, but I am scared that I am just shoving something farther and farther down the well and will get stuck every fee feet all the way down.
The static level is about 15 ft.
Question- With the pump test we need to keep a steady volume about 1.25 gal/min.
I thought it would be better to try and get pipe down the well and use a jet pump, before I plug it up completely , than try and get a well pump down.
If we get the permission for the project, we will redrill the well out if we ever need to.
1. Does this seem do-able?
2. If so, what is the best way to get a constant 1.25 gal/min with this setup?

Any and all advice would be helpful. Thanks

pump

A single pipe jet pump will ONLY be able to pump water down to a point approximately 27 feet below the pump, and it appears that your water is lower than that so you have to get the well open so you can either drop a two pipe jet down it or a submersible pump.

Any reputable well company can come out there with a portable pump and certify the gpm for you.

neddy said:

Back ground- we are a not-for-profit afordable housing group, with a deadline.
We are trying to get our development permitted. we have already proven enough water with one of our 4 wells, but the neighbours have convinced the authorities that we need lots more proof.

Click to expand...

OK, I read yer broke, and in a hurry but how many houses do you plan on total?

neddy said:

There is a 14gal/min well (in shale, with no liner), that is partially blocked. I can get pex down the well and probably 1 to 1&1/2" pipe down too. It was blocked at 17 ft and it seemed clear then to about 100 ft (using a counter weight from a old fashioned window). Now though the blockage is at about 20 ft.
I got a rebar tool welded to poke through blocks up to about 35 ft, but I am scared that I am just shoving something farther and farther down the well and will get stuck every fee feet all the way down.
The static level is about 15 ft.

Question- With the pump test we need to keep a steady volume about 1.25 gal/min.
I thought it would be better to try and get pipe down the well and use a jet pump, before I plug it up completely , than try and get a well pump down.
If we get the permission for the project, we will redrill the well out if we ever need to.
1. Does this seem do-able?
2. If so, what is the best way to get a constant 1.25 gal/min with this setup?

Click to expand...

Most wells into shale will produce H2S 'sulfur' rotten egg odor. You don't say what diameter this well is but, a shallow well single line jet pump will work if you get the pipe with its foot valve down in the water. Now there is no way to say how long you can pump water out of the well and you didn't say how many minutes you have to run it. You may lose the pipe and foot valve if the well collapses. What do the guys that drilled the well say is blocking it; assuming you thing it is shale? Obviously I assume you think shale and that means the well is not cased at all. Why not?

BTW, I've never heard of a well test requirement of only 1.25 gpm, but then I've not heard of everything yet. lol

pump

quote; a shallow well single line jet pump will work if you get the pipe with its foot valve down in the water.

The critical phrase in that quote is "shallow well". A well drilled to 150' may NOT BE a shallow well.

But he said: The static level is about 15 ft. So I said; a single line shallow well jet pump will work if he gets the foot valve down into the water.

My advice is call the guy who drilled the well or call another well professional. If the well is drilled 100+ feet then it would seem the correct choice is a submersible and certainly much depper to take advantage of the water storage in the well column. IMO, it is important for you to recognize your limitations in both knowledge and experience before you cause more problems

You must have missed the part where he said he had little time before the 1.25 gpm test had to be done, and that after he would fix the well or put another in.

pump test update

Thanks for all your input. The piece I was looking for was the 27 ft, single pipe jet pump answer. Meantime however I got 2 tools made; A set of half inch rebar pieces with couplings, with a blade end on it and a 4 inch X 3ft piece of iron pipe with teeth cut in the bottom.

With gentle and not so gentle persistance I got the well open to 76 ft. (it is 290 ft) and lined.

We are pump testing tomorrow with a submersible.

I have to prove back-up water to 2550 gallons per day, by Tuesday for a rezoning application for affordable housing. It came at us at the last minute by surprise, other wise I would have tried more standard resources.

Thanks again,
Neddy

Thanks for the feedback.